Coimbatore: Ayyappa devotees in Coimbatore have started fasting for Sabarimala starting today, the first day of the Karthigai month.
Coimbatore: Ayyappa devotees in Coimbatore have started fasting for Sabarimala starting today, the first day of the Karthigai month.
It is customary for Ayyappa devotees to go to Sabarimala after taking up fasting on the 1st day of the Karthika month for the Mandala Puja held at Sabarimala. The Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple was opened at 5 pm yesterday for this year's Mandala Puja. Under the circumstances, Ayyappa devotees from all over Coimbatore district began their fasting today.
Especially at the famous Sidhapudur Ayyappan Temple in Coimbatore, which is about 51 years old, many Ayyappa devotees from 10 years old to adults have started their fast by wearing 'malas' to Sabarimala.
The idol of Iyappan was worshipped with milk, curd and ghee and adorned with colorful flowers. Following this, the guru swamis presented the 'malas' to the kanni swamis. Then the devotees raised the devotional slogan of "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa."
Due to the spread of coronavirus, Ayyappa devotees followed the security measures of the Tamil Nadu government and wore 'malas' with masks and social distancing.
Earlier, the body temperature of the devotees was checked at the entrance of the temple and they were allowed inside the temple premises only after being given sanitizers. Due to the spread of the coronavirus, only a limited number of devotees will be allowed to enter the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple during the Mandala puja and Makara vilakku seasons with various restrictions based on pre-booking.
According to the Siddhapudur temple administration, special Mandala pujas will be held for 48 days at the Sidhapudur Ayyappan Temple in line with the Sabarimala temple procedures for the convenience of the devotees who are unable to book and go to Sabarimala.
Arrangements have been made in the temple halls for the devotees from the other districts and the other states to say. The Sabarimala Devasthanam has intensified precautionary measures against the coronavirus for the safety of the devotees as they will be allowed to perform Swami Darshan at the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple from today. Various restrictions have been imposed on pilgrims coming to Sabarimala.
Devotees are allowed inside the temple only if they wear a mask and show a test certificate that they are not infected with COVID. Pilgrims are also banned from bathing in the Pamba and Manilai rivers.