Pathanamthitta, Saturday, December 26, 2009: Marking the culmination of annual 41-day penance during the Mandalam season, Mandala-pooja as part of the Utchapuja is being held at Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala.

The presiding deity will be decorated with the sacred golden attire, Thanka Anki, prior to the Mandala-puja. Tantri, Kandararu Maheswararu, informed that the Mandala-pooja will be held in the auspicious Meenom raasi Muhurthom between 11.55 a.m. and 12.25 p.m. on December 26.

The Ayyappa shrine will be closed after the Athazha puja, later, at 11 p.m., marking the culmination of the 41-day Mandalam festival.
The temple will reopen on December 30th afternoon for the Makarvilakku festival that begins the next day.