SABARIMALA: The annual four-day procession carrying the Thanka Anki, the attire in gold to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa during mandala pooja on December 26, will begin from Aranmula Lord Parthasarathi temple on December 22.
The specially-designed vehicle carrying the golden attire will leave the East Fort of the temple after performing poojas and ‘aarati’ by the temple melsanti at 7 am.
Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar, who heads the devaswom team throughout the procession from Aranmula to Sabarimala, members K Raghavan and K P Sankaradas, devaswom commissioner C P Ramaraja Prema Prasad and devaswom chief engineer V Sankaran Potti will be present on the occasion.
Traditional reception
The procession will be accorded traditional receptions on the route at Murthitta Sree Ganapathi temple, Punnamthottam Devi temple, Nedumprayar Thevalasery Devi temple, Kozhenchery Pampadimon Sastha temple, Elanthur Bhagavathikunnu temple, Elanthur Sree Ganapathi temple and Prakkanam Edanadu Devi temple before reaching Omallur Sree Rakthakandanaswami temple for the first-night halt.
On the second day on December 23, after leaving Omallur temple, the procession will be given receptions at Kodunthara Sree Subramaniaswami temple, Pathanamthitta Sree Dharma Sastha temple and Vettoor Sree Mahavishnu temple before reaching Konni Muringamangalam Sree Mahadeva temple for the second-night halt.
On the third day of the procession, after leaving Konni temple at 7 am, traditional receptions will be given at Vettoor Sree Ayiravillan temple, Malayalappuzha Devi temple, Mekozhoor Rishikesha temple, Vadasserikkara Prayar Sree Mahavishnu temple and Madamon Rishikesha temple before reaching Ranni Perunad Sree Sastha temple for the night halt at 8 pm.
The anki procession, on the concluding day of the journey on December 25, will be accorded receptions at Laha Forest IB Junction Plappally and Nilackal Sree Mahadeva temple before arriving at Pampa Lord Ganapathi temple at 2 pm. After leaving Pampa temple at 3 pm, the procession will reach Saramkuthi at 5 pm and will be taken in a procession to the sopanam through Valiyanadapandal.
In front of the golden flag mast of the temple, TDB president A Padmakumar-led team will receive the procession.
In front of the sreekovil, thantri Mahesh Mohanaru and melsanthi Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri will receive the thanka anki.