To mark an auspicious start to the Malayalam New Year, thousands of devotees throng the popular Sabrimala Temple which was opened for monthly five-day pujas and rituals on the first day of Chingam on Wednesday.
The five-day monthly puja began with the chief priest, known as Melsanthi, N Parameshwaran Namboothiri, opening the door of the sanctum sanctorum and lighting the lamp under the aegis of the chief priest (Tantri) Kandari Rajeevaru on Tuesday evening .
Continuing the ceremony, the Lord Ayappa temple priests opened the sub-deity portals and lit the lamps. After the completion of the rituals, devotees were allowed to walk the sacred hill, climb the 18 sacred steps to offer prayers to the main deity, Lord Ayyappa.
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Worshipers can visit the shrine after registering in the virtual queuing system until August 21. You can also register on site at Nilakkal, the pilgrims’ base camp.
Located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, the Sabrimala temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites not only in India but in the world. It is not an easy task to visit the temple, as people have to observe a compulsory fast and wear a pearl necklace for more than 41 days in order to visit the temple.
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In addition, they must maintain certain dietary restrictions and follow a certain color code. Fasting symbolizes abstinence from materialism and worldly pleasures. Although it is a long and difficult process, people all over the world follow the ritual to visit
Visiting Sabarimala temple becomes more auspicious for people if they do it at the beginning of the new year. Therefore, a large number of people visit the temple during the month of Chingam. This month marks the start of the new Malayalam calendar, also known as Kolla Varsham.
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The month brings immense joy and several occasions for celebration as it is the harvest season which is preceded by the monsoon. According to tradition, people wear new clothes, cook delicacies and visit temples to seek God’s blessings to utilize the opportunities presented to them in the new year. The famous Onam festival is also celebrated in the same month.
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