Pathanamthitta, Monday, December 27, 2010: Thousands of devotees thronged the Sannidhanam to witness the Mandala puja that was held at the Ayyappa Temple at 12.30 pm today. Thanka Anki, the golden attire of Lord Ayyappa, was brought here in a vehicular procession yesterday.

The procession resumed its journey to Sabarimala on Saturday from the Muringamangalam temple at Konni. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) authorities received the golden attire from Saramkuthi and brought it to Sannidhanam.

’Kalabhabhishekom’ will also be performed at the Ayyappa temple prior to the Utchapuja. The temple will reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival that will begin the next day. The Ayyappa Temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja, later in the evening, marking the culmination of the 41-day Mandalam festival.

The temple will reopen on Thursday afternoon for the Makaravilakku festival. The Makaravilakku day falls on January 14 and the temple will be closed after the exclusive darshan at the temple by the representative of Pandalam Palace, on January 20 morning, bringing the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage to a close.