‘Mandala puja’ performed at Lord Ayyappa Temple

 

 

 

The auspicious ‘Mandala puja’ was held at Lord Ayyappa Temple, sector 2 on Sunday, marking the end of the 41-day long first leg of the pilgrimage season. The procession carrying the sacred golden attire and ornaments commenced from the Shiva Temple SNGDS Sector-4 at 9 am morning and traversing through Central Avenue, the procession reached the Ayyappa Temple at 10:30.

 

The mandala pooja was held in accordance with the prevailing COVID-19 guidelines and was attended by a moderate crowd which chanted ‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’ and waited patiently to witness the special pujas and rituals, including ‘kalabha abhishekam’ and ‘kalasa abhishekam’. Rituals of mandalapooja were performed by the priests under the guidance of Acharya Shibu followed by Gheeabhishekam, Shankabhishekam, Aarti, Bhog and distribution of Mahaprasadam (Community Feast). Member of Parliament (Durg) Vijay Baghel, G Suresh (Babe) and other dignitaries participated in the rituals and relished the mahaprasadam. The golden attire was adorned on the idol for Deeparadhana on Saturday evening. Lord Ayyappa was also adorned with the sacred attire on Sunday for the ‘Mandala Pooja’ and after the ‘Athazha Pooja’ in the evening, the door of the shirne was closed for a while, marking the culmination of the 41-day pilgrimage season. The motorised chariot bearing the sanctified ‘Thanka Anki’ was given a rousing reception with devotees and pilgrims gathering at various places on way. Present on the occasion were Acting president, Chhattisgarh Kurup, General Secretary of, Suresh Kumar Pillai, U K Nair, Joint Secretary, Ashok V Pillai, Secretary, Anil Kumar, P A Menon, Sadanandan and other office-bearers of Ayyappa Sewa Sangham.