PATHANAMTHITTA: The first day in the Malayalam month of Midhunom on Saturday saw a heavy rush of pilgrims for start of the five-day monthly rituals at the Ayyappa Swamy Temple at Sabarimala.

Hundreds of devotees from different parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have undertaken their pilgrimage to the forest shrine, braving the heavy downpour in the forests, on Saturday, the day considered auspicious day for Sree Dharma Sastha, the presiding deity.

A Sahasrakalasabhishekom and Kalabhabhishekom were performed at the Ayyappa shrine prior to theUtchapuja on Saturday. The Tantri (chief priest), Kandararu Rajeevararu, assisted by Melsanthi (head priest), D. Damodaran Potti, performed the Brahmakalasapuja.

Customary Procession

The golden urns carrying the Brahmakalasom and sandal paste (kalabhom) were taken out in a customary procession to the sanctum sanctorum for the ritualistic Abhishekom in the forenoon.

The sandal paste offered to the deity was distributed among the devotees, later.

Ashtabhishekom, Pushpabhishekom, Udayasthamanapuja, and Padipuja were the other important rituals performed at the Ayyappa Temple on Saturday.

The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on June 19, marking the culmination of the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Midhunom.