"Illan nira" ritual performed in Guruvayur temple

: Freshly reaped sheaves of paddy were offered to Lord Guruvayurappan at the famous Sree Krishna temple here today as part of the "illam nira ritual", seeking divine blessings for plenty and prosperity ahead of the harvest season.

Freshly-cut paddy sheaves, brought by the Manayath family were taken to the nalambalam by the keezhsanthis (sub-priests) of the temple in the morning.

The Melsanthi (chief priest) Pazyhath Satheesan Namboodiri then offered the paddy at the sanctum sanctorum, followed by "Lakshmi pooja" and "Aiswarya pooja" on the paddy sheaves.

Thousands of devotees had thronged the temple to witness the ritual.

Devaswom Managing Committee chairman T V Chandarmohan and other members were present.