Thanka Anki leaves Aranmula

SABARIMALAI: The procession carrying the Thanka Anki, the attire in gold to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa during the Mandala Pooja on December 27, began its journey from Aranmula Sree Parthasarathi temple at 7.15 am on Friday.The anki, donated by the Travancore royal family, was taken in a specially-built  vehicle from Aranmula after performing poojas. Hundreds of devotees thronged Aranmula temple to offer prayers before the procession. Travancore Devaswom Board member K V Padmanabhan, Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu, Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham vice-president D Vijayakumar and Malethu Saraldevi were among those present on the occasion.A 15-memeber devaswom team headed by Aranmula devaswom assistant commissioner T P Sreekumar, Ajithkumar and Arunkumar are accompanying the anki procession.A 20-member team from Pathanamthitta Armed Reserve camp is giving security to the procession. The procession was accorded receptions at Moorthitta Sree Ganapathi temple, Punnamthottam Devi temple, Thiruvanchamkunnu temple, Kozhenchery   Pampadimon temple, Elanthur Sree Ganapathi temple, Bhagavathikunnu Devi temple, Elavumthitta Devi temple and Prakanam devi temple before the first-night halt at Omallur Sree Rakthakandaswami temple.After a three-day journey, including the second night’s halt at Konni Muringamangalam Sree Mahadeva temple and the third night’s halt at Perunad Sree Dharma Sastha temple, the procession will be given a traditional reception at Pampa at 12.30 pm on December 26.After the reception, the procession will leave for Sannidhanam from Pampa at 3 pm.  At Saramkuthi, the procession will be given a traditional reception under the leadership of Sabarimala executive officer M Satheeshkumar and assistant executive officer Sureshkumar at 5 pm.On reaching Sopanam, Travancore Devaswom Board president M Rajagopalan Nair and member will receive the procession in front of the golden flagmast at 6 pm.The Thanka Anki will be received by Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu and Melsanthi N Balamurali in front of the Sreekovil. Deeparadhana will be held after adorning the anki on the idol of Lord Ayyappa at 6.30 pm.