<p>The famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here today witnessed heavy rush of devotees, a day before the 'Mandalapuja' festival, which marks the end of the first phase of the annual two-month long season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Pilgrims have to wait for hours for darshan and police were having a very tough time in controlling the crowd, official sources said.<br /><br />The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja (night puja) on Wednesday, marking the culmination of the Mandalapuja festival and reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30.<br /><br />Earlier, the ceremonial procession carrying "Thanka Anki", golden attire of the presiding deity, reached the "sannidhanam" (main temple). The holy attire was taken from the foot-hill Pampa to the Sannidhanam by the Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers on their head.<br /><br />The Mandalapuja will be held between 12.15 p.m. and 12.30 p.m. tomorrow. The deity will be adorned with the Thanka Anki prior to the Mandalapuja. A Kalabhabhishekom will also be performed to the deity prior to the Utchapuja (afternoon puja).<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has deployed 160 buses for conducting chain service between Pampa and Nilackal on Sunday and Monday, official sources said. <br /></p>
<p>The famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here today witnessed heavy rush of devotees, a day before the 'Mandalapuja' festival, which marks the end of the first phase of the annual two-month long season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Pilgrims have to wait for hours for darshan and police were having a very tough time in controlling the crowd, official sources said.<br /><br />The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja (night puja) on Wednesday, marking the culmination of the Mandalapuja festival and reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30.<br /><br />Earlier, the ceremonial procession carrying "Thanka Anki", golden attire of the presiding deity, reached the "sannidhanam" (main temple). The holy attire was taken from the foot-hill Pampa to the Sannidhanam by the Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers on their head.<br /><br />The Mandalapuja will be held between 12.15 p.m. and 12.30 p.m. tomorrow. The deity will be adorned with the Thanka Anki prior to the Mandalapuja. A Kalabhabhishekom will also be performed to the deity prior to the Utchapuja (afternoon puja).<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has deployed 160 buses for conducting chain service between Pampa and Nilackal on Sunday and Monday, official sources said. <br /></p>