SABARIMALA: Thousands of devotees offered worship at Lord Ayyappa temple on Monday, the first day of Chingam, the first month in the Malayalam calendar.
The day’s rituals began with the opening of the Sreekovil by Melsanthi Krishnadas Nampoothiri in the presence of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru at 5 am.
After Nirmalya Darsan for the devotees, Thantri Mahesh, in the presence of Melsanthi Krishnadas Nampoothiri, conducted Mahaganapathi homam at the Mandapam. Devaswom secretary Jyothilal, commissioner C P Ramaraja Prema Parasad, special commissioner K Babu, executive officer Renukumar and administrative officer Somasekharan Nair were present during the occasion.
Rig Veda archana
An eight-day long Rig Veda archana began at a make-shift auditorium at Sopnam on Monday.
The archana, sponsored by Melsanthi Krishnadas Nampoothiri, is being headed by a three-member Vedic expert team led by Cherumukku Vallabhan Akkithiripadu, and will conclude on August 29. Melsanthi Krishnadas Nampoothiri said that a five-day long Yajur Veda archana would be held during the five-day monthly poojas days of the Malayalam month of Kanni from September 17.
Special rituals
Laksharchana and Kalabhabhishekam were the special rituals held at the temple on the first day of Chingam.
As part of Laksharchana, the thantri conducted Brahmakalasa pooja at the Mandapam of the temple at 6 am. The ritual was concluded during Uchcha pooja after kalasabhishekam on the idol of the Lord. Kalabhakalasa pooja was conducted under the leadership of the Thantri at 10.30 am.
Kalabhabhishekam, marking the conclusion of the ritual, was held during the Uchcha pooja after the procession carrying the Kalabhakalasam circumambulating the Sreekovil. Udayasthamana pooja, Padi pooja and Pushpabhishekam were the other rituals held