NELLORE: The Sri Ayyappa temple at Vedayapalem here is experiencing a heavy rush of devotees taking Ayyappa Deeksha ahead of the annual Mandala Puja festivities.
As many as 1,800 devotees took Deeksha at the temple last Wednesday, surpassing the previous highest count of 1,500 recorded during the Telugu month of Karthika. The temple has been witnessing a heavy influx of devotees, particularly during the early morning and evening hours.
Temple committee president G Seshagiri Rao said the number of devotees taking Deeksha had increased by nearly 30 per cent this year. He attributed part of the increase to the popularity of the film ‘Irumudi’, starring Ravi Teja.
Preparations are under way for the 41-day Mandala Puja celebrations, which will begin on Tuesday, November 17, following the Dwajarohanam ceremony on Monday evening. This will be the 40th Mandala Puja festival since the temple here was consecrated in 1987.
As part of the Prana Pratishta rituals for the newly cast Ayyappa idol, Sathakalasa Abhishekam will be performed on Monday morning under the supervision of chief priest Hari Nambudiri. The idol is intended for Nagarotsavam and Padipuja at the shrine’s sacred 18 steps.
The Ankurarpana ritual will also be performed on Monday evening to mark the formal commencement of the Mandala Puja celebrations.
The rituals will be conducted by chief priest Sri Vadakedathu Perumbadappamandal Hari Nambudiri, along with temple priests Ramachandra Bhatt, Vishnu Nambudiri and Prahallad.
The Nellore Ayyappa temple follows the tradition of having its daily rituals performed by priests from Kerala.
X`The original consecration in 1987 was conducted under the supervision of Thantri Sri Kesavan Namboodiri of Vadakedathu Perumbadappa Mana, Thrissur, Kerala. The temple underwent Kumbhabhishekam in March 2017 under his supervision and that of his son, Hari Nambudiri.
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