Controversial golden domes
consecrated at Sabarimala
The mahakumbhabhishekam (a ceremony in which an idol or shrine is consecrated by bathing it in holy water or milk) of the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala was performed on Saturday, for the first time in the temple's history.
Holy water from 108 kalasams (pots) was poured on the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) amidst chants of "Swamiye saranam (Swami, or Ayyappa, is our only succour)".
Thus, the gold-plated sreekovil was rededicated to the lord in a solemn atmosphere charged with devotion.
Thantri (priest) Kantararu Maheswararu began the puja (religious rites) connected with the kumbhabhishekam at 1030 hours IST in the front courtyard of the temple which had been bedecked with flowers.
Thantri Kantararu Mohanararu and Melsanthi (head priest) K M Narayanan Nampoothiri assisted Maheswararu. A brahmakalasam (large kalasam) and 108 parikalasams were placed on the puja platform.
Three golden domes, kept for installation at the sreekovil, and one each to be installed over two lesser shrines in the complex were duly worshipped at the end of the puja.
Thereafter, the holy pots were taken in a procession to the accompaniment of the panchavadyam (five instruments).
Melsanthi Nampoothiri then carried the main golden dome around the temple before entering the sreekovil to perform anujna kalasam. A black kite hovered in the sky above, an auspicious sign.
The rituals came to an end at 1145 hours with the thantri fixing the three golden domes and pouring holy water on them.
Thereafter, the other two golden domes were fixed over the "Nagar" and Ganapathy temples.
Thousands of devotees thronged the temple complex to witness the ritual. Flower petals were showered on the devotees to mark the end of the ritual.
UNI
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