Russian pilgrims offer worship at Sabarimala Ayyappa shrine

Dressed in black and chanting 'Sarnam' mantras, 14 Russian pilgrims offered worship at the Lord Ayyappa Temple here.
The pilgrims offered worship yesterday after observing the customary austerity and abstinence for the stipulated 41 days.
The team was led by 'Induchoodan' alias Iliya Padukova, a Russian from St Petersburg, who is an Ayurvedic doctor and teacher in Russia.He is visiting Sabarimala for the 15th time.
Most of the other members of the team, which included businessmen and students, had visited Sabarimala earlier.
Two of them, one a little girl who came with her grandmother, were 'kanni ayaappanamaars', making the pilgrimage for the first time. They described making the trip as an 'incredible' experience.

The team started the trip from Moscow and reached the 'Paanchaalipeeda' Ashram in Idukki from where they tied their 'Irumudikettu' (offerings to be made to Lord Ayyappa) and reached Sabarimala.