Ayyappa devotees began their preparations for 40 days of fasting
Posted on: 17/Nov/2015 12:13:14 PM
Ayyappa devotees planning to visit Sabarimala this year began their preparations for 40 days of fasting on Monday. The beginning of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam on Tuesday will mark the fasting time popularly called the Mandala period.
The sanctum sanctorum will be closed after the Mandala puja on December 27. It will reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku season. The Pettathullal at Erumeli will be held on January 11 and the procession carrying the sacred attire, Thiruvabharanam, will set off to Sabarimala from Pandalam on January 12.
The Makarvilakku festival falls on January 15. The temple will be closed after the customary holy darshan exclusively for the royal representative from the Pandalam palace on January 20, marking the culmination of the annual festival.
