‘Thanka Anki’ procession to Sabarimala begins from Aranmula

The ceremonial procession carrying the Thanka Anki (royal ornaments) for the Mandala Puja at Sabarimala began on Sunday from the Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula, Pathanamthitta. The procession will conclude at Sabarimala on Wednesday, December 25, with the Deeparadhana being performed after adorning Lord Ayyappa’s idol with these sacred ornaments.

Hundreds of devotees offered prayers to the Anki at the Aranmula temple before the procession's ceremonial start. The golden attire is transported in a specially designed chariot modelled on the Sabarimala temple.

The procession will halt at three temples along its journey: Omallur Sree Rakthakandaswami Temple on the first day, Konni Muringamangalam Sree Mahadeva Temple on the second day, and Ranni-Perunad Sree Dharma Sastha Temple on the third day.

On December 25, the procession will stop for grand receptions at Nilackal Sree Siva Temple and Pampa Lord Ganapathi Temple before reaching Sannidhanam at 6 pm. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials will then receive the ornaments and hand them over to the chief priest in front of the Sreekovil. The idol will be adorned with Anki, followed by the Deeparadhana ceremony.

The temple will close the next day after performing the Mandala Puja and reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku rituals.