Nagaraja temple annual Ayilya festival from Saturday

The annual Ayilya Mahotsavam at Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, known for its unique worship of serpent gods and having a woman as chief priestess, will commence on Saturday and continue till the Ayilyam (Malayalam star) day on October 24.

The rituals will be led by the oldest woman at Mannarasala Illam, who is known as Mannarasala Amma, temple authorities said here today.

The festival will get under way with Maha Deepakazhcha on 'Punartham' day on Saturday.

The fourth Sree Nagaraja award will be presented to well-known carnatic musician Parassala B.Ponnammal, at the cultural conference to be held on the same day evening. It will be followed by Mohiniyattam performance by Deepti Omcherry Bhalla.