Sabarimala temple witnessing heavy rush

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Sabarimala temple witnessing heavy rush Sunday, Dec 25, 2005 Queue of pilgrims for darshan extends beyond Marakkoottom PATHANAMTHITTA: The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush on Saturday as scores of devotees trekked the holy hills in the weekend. The queue of pilgrims for darshan was found extended even beyond Marakkoottom on the trekking path in the morning ho urs and the devotees had to wait for hours for the holy darshan. Moreover, many pilgrims are camping at the holy hillock to witness the reception to the Thanka Anki, sacred golden attire, at the temple precincts on Sunday. The procession carrying the Thanka Anki will reach Pampa on Sunday afternoon. The Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers will take the golden attire in a wooden box to the Sannidhanam. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) team headed by Executive Officer V.S. Rajagopalan Nair will receive the Thanka Anki when it reaches Saramkuthi around 5.30 p.m. TDB president, G. Raman Nair will receive the Thanka Anki at the Ayyappa Sannidhanam. The Ayyappa idol will be adorned with the golden attire, offered to the Ayyapa shrine by the late Chithira Thirunaal Balaramavarma of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom, prior to the deeparadhana at 6.30 p.m. The Ayyapa idol will be decorated with the Thanka Anki prior to the auspicious Mandalapuja to be held at 12.07 p.m. on Monday. Lord to extend his sojourn for his devoteesSunday December 25 2005 08:46 IST SABARIMALA: The darsan timing at the Lord Ayyappa temple here has been extended by one hour during the Makaravilakku season from December 31 to January 20 in anticipation of a heavy flow of pilgrims.Travancore Devaswom Board President G Raman Nair said that the decision was taken by the Board. The temple would be opened at 3 AM instead of 4 AM at present. With this change the pilgrims will get one more hour for Neyyabhishekam and darsan, he said.Security: The strength of police personnel during the Makaravilakku season will be enhanced. Metal detectors will be installed at the Nadapandal, near the holy steps, north nada and the small

entrance at the northern side. Specially trained police personnel with rifles will be posted near all the temples at Sannidhanam. The pilgrims will not be allowed to re-enter Malikappuram temple after offering prayers.Similarly pilgrims will not be allowed to enter the nalambalam from the western side after taking bath for sayanapradikshinam.Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.