Pathanamthitta: The annual procession carrying the sacred "thiruvabharanam" (Lord Ayyappa’s jewels) set off from the Pandalam shrine to Sabarimala on Sunday. The jewels are to be adorning Lord Ayyappa during the Makaravilakku festival, which will be celebrated on January 14.

The "Thiruvabharana Ghoshayathra" (procession) began its journey to the hill temple, accompanied by representatives from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and a large number of devotees.

In keeping with tradition, the 'thiruvabharanam' was moved earlier in the day from the strong room of Srambickal Palace in Pandalam to the nearby Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple, where devotees gathered to view and pray before the sacred jewels, reported PTI.

TDB officials received the jewels from the palace authorities and brought them to the Sastha Temple, where the sacred items were displayed for the devotees. After customary rituals and prayers, the jewels were placed in wooden boxes and entrusted to a dedicated group of people, who would carry them on foot to Sabarimala over the next three days.

The procession will make several stops at temples along the way, where devotees will offer their prayers, before reaching the Sabarimala temple complex (Sannidhanam) on January 14 evening.

On arrival, the temple tantri (head priest) and melsanthi (chief priest) will adorn the deity with the thiruvabharanam before the evening deeparadhana (lamp lighting ceremony).

To ensure the smooth and secure passage of the procession, the state government has deployed heavy security.