SABARIMALA: The sacred Utsavabali ritual, a key part of the annual festival at Sabarimala, commenced on the second day of the celebrations on Thursday. This eight-day-long ritual, an offering in honor of the sub-gods of Lord Ayyappa, was conducted under the leadership of Thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan, with Melsanthi Arunkumar Namboothiri overseeing the proceedings.
The ceremony began at 10:30 AM with the lighting of the traditional lamp in front of the Sribali idol and concluded at 1:30 PM with the Utsavali darshan for devotees. The ritual will continue until April 10, marking the ninth day of the festival.
Apart from Utsavabali, other significant rituals performed at the temple included Udayasthamana Pooja, Ashtabhishekam, and Pushpabhishekam. The upcoming highlights of the festival include:
- Vilakkinezhunnellippu (Sacred Lamp Procession) – Begins on April 6 (fifth day).
- Pallivetta (Royal Hunt Ritual) – Scheduled for April 10 (ninth day).
Grand Conclusion with ‘Aarattu’ Ceremony
The festival will conclude with the grand Aarattu ceremony at Arattukadavu, near the banks of the Pampa River, opposite the Pampa Lord Ganapathi Temple, at 11:30 AM on April 11. As part of the final ritual, a sacred procession carrying the Thidambu (divine idol) of Lord Ayyappa will depart from Sannidhanam at 9 AM.
With thousands of devotees gathering for the festival, the temple remains a hub of spiritual energy, devotion, and traditional celebrations.
