SABARIMALA: The four-day annual procession carrying the thanka anki, the attire in gold donated by Sri Chithira Thirunal Balaramavarma of Travancore royal family to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa during Mandala Pooja on December 26, is all set to begin the journey from Aranmula on December 22. The specially-built vehicle carrying the thanka anki will set off to Sabarimala from the East Fort of Aranmula Lord Parthasarathi temple at 7 am after the melsanthi of Aranmula temple lights the traditional lamp placed on the vehicle.
A 20-member devaswom team led by Aranmula devaswom assistant commissioner Rajeevkumar and Aranmula temple devaswom administrative officer Venugopal will manage the anki procession. A 15-member armed police team will give safety and security cover for the anki procession up to Sabarimala.
Reception to procession
After leaving Aranmula temple, the anki procession will be given traditional reception at Punnamthottam Devi temple, Pampadimon Sree Subramaniaswami temple, Elanthur Bhagavathikunnu temple, Elanthur Mahaganapathi temple and Elavumthitta Devi temple before the first day’s halt at Omallur Sree Rakthakandaswami temple.
On the second day on December 23, the procession will be accorded reception at Kodunthara Sree Subramaniaswami temple, Pathanamthitta Sree Dharma Sastha temple and Vettur Sree Mahavishnu temple before the second day’s halt at Konni Muringamangalam Sree Mahadeva temple.The anki procession, on the third day on December 24, will be given reception at Vettoor Sree Ayiravillan temple, Malayalappuzha Devi temple, Mekozhoor Sree Rishikesa temple, Vadasserikkara Prayar Sree Mahavishnu temple and Madamon Sree Rishikesa temple before the day’s stay at Ranni Perunad Sree Dharma Sastha temple. On the concluding day of the procession on December 25, the thanka anki will be accorded reception at Koonankara Sabari Saranashramam and Nilackal Sree Siva temple before reaching Pampa Lord Ganapathi temple at 2 pm.
After leaving Pampa temple, the procession will reach Saramkuthi at 5 pm, where a traditional reception will be given by the devaswom team led by Sabarimala devaswom executive officer Ravisankar and administraive officer Yathindran. The procession will be then led to Sopanam. On arrival at Sopanam, Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan and other members will receive the thanka anki in front of the golden flag mast.
In front of the Sreekovil, the thantri and melsanthi will receive the anki and deeparadhana will be conducted after adorning the attire on the idol of Lord Ayyappa at 6.30 pm.