Thanka Anki procession to Begin on Friday

SABARIMALA: The procession carrying Thanka Anki, the attire in gold to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa on the Mandala Pooja day on December 27, will begin its journey from Aranmula Lord Parthasarathi temple on December 23. Aranmula devaswom assistant commissioner T P Sreekumar, who heads the 15-member devaswom team accompanying the procession, told Express that preparations were nearing completion for the Thanka Anki procession, which would leave Aranmula temple at 7 am. The four-day procession, after leaving Aranmula, would be given receptions at Moorthitta Sree Ganapathi temple, Punnamthottam Bhagavathi temple, Thiruvanchamkavu temple, Nedumprayar, Pampadimon, Elanthur, Elavumthitta and Prakkanam before the first night halt at Omallur Sree Rakthakandaswami temple, Sreekumar said. On the second day on December 24, the procession, after leaving Omallur temple at 7.30 am, would be accorded receptions at Kodunthara Sree Subramaniaswami temple, Pathanamthitta Sree Dharma Sastha temple, Kumbazha, Vettoor Sree Mahavishnu temple and Konni Chittor Junction before the second day stay at Konni Muringamangalam Sree Mahadeva temple. On December 25, the Thanka Anki procession would be given receptions at Vettoor Sree Ayiravillan temple, Mayiladupara, Malayalappuzha Devi temple, Mannrakulanji, Mekkozhur Sree Rishikesa temple, Ranni Ramapuram temple, Vadasserikara, Prayar Sree Mahavishnu temple and Madamon Sree Rishikesa temple before the third night halt at Perunadu Sree Dharma Sastha temple. After leaving Perunadu temple on the concluding day of the procession on December 26, the procession would touch Laha, Plappally, Nilackal Sree Mahadeva temple before the reception at Pampa under the leadership Pampa  devaswom administrative officer V Sajibabu at 12.30 pm. After the reception, the procession would leave Pampa Sree Ganapathi temple at 3 pm  and would halt at Saramkuthi at 5 pm.  At Saramkuthi, the procession would be accorded a traditional reception under the leadership of Sabarimala devaswom executive officer, assistant executive officer Sureshkumar, administrative officer Rajan and Sopanam special officer Ajithkumar and the procession would be led to Sopanam after touching Valiya Nadappandal and Holy Steps.