'Thanka Anki' reaches Sabarimala temple

: Amid high security, the ceremonial procession carrying the sacred 'Thanka Anki' (golden attire), to be worn by Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of the Sabarimala temple,reached here Wednesday evening.

The procession, which had set off four days ago from the Sree Parthasarthy temple at Aranmula, reached the Lord Ayyappa temple by around 6.30 PM, temple sources said.

Lord Ayyappa would adorn the sacred attire tomorrow for the 'Mandala pooja'. After the 'Athazha pooja' in the evening, the shrine will be closed for two days, marking the culmination of the 41-day pilgrimage season, the first phase of the annual festivities.

The shrine will re-open on December 30 for the 'Makaravillaku' festival, which falls on Januaury 14.

Meanwhile, during this mandala puja season, 32 lakh pilgrims have so far trekked to the hill shrine, A Padmakumar, president, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, said.

During this pilgrim season, there has been a dip in the revenues compared to the previous years, he said.

Last year, revenue collection at the temple touched Rs 160 crore, while this year it was rs 105 crore so far.

By the time the Makaravillakku is over, the earnings are expected to touch that of last year, he said.

The temple had witnessed heavy rush in the past few days after a lull in footfalls, following the restrictions imposed due to protests by devotees.

The Ayyappa temple had witnessed frenzied protests by devotees against the state government's decision to implement the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, opening its doors to women of all ages to offer prayers.

Traditionally, girls and women in the menstruating age group of 10-50 years were barred from offering prayers at the shrine, the presiding deity of which is "Naishtika Brahamachari" (perennial celebate).