Mannarasala Nagaraja temple Ayilyam Ezhunnallathu; thousands of devotees as spectators of divine ritual

HARIPAD: Tens of thousands of people from different parts of the state flocked to the Mannarasala Nagaraja temple to have a darshan of Ayilyam Ezhunnallathu in the month of Thulam that happened after seven years. The temple opened this morning and after completing the abhishekams, the Ilaya Karanavar M K Kesavan Namboothiri started the Aayilyam pujas. Amma Savitri Antharjanam then offered darshan to the devotees near the Illam's nilavara.

After the afternoon puja, Nagapadma Kalam was drawn on the floor adjacent to the nilavara under the leadership of the Ilaya Karanavar. After the completion of the Nagapadma Kalam, Amma took a bath in the Theertha Kulam and reached the temple. Ilayamma and the elder Karanavars the family accompanied her. After Amma entered the sanctum sanctorum, the family members lit the kuthuvilakku and ahead of the procession, shankh, thimilathani and vai kurava were sounded. Valiyamma Savitri Antharjanam with idol of Nagaraja's Thirumukham and Nagaphanam, Ilayamma Sati Antharjanam with idol of Sarpayakshiyamma and Karanavars MK Kesavan Namboothiri with Nagachamundiamma's idol and Jayakumar Namboothiri with the idol of Nagayakshiyamma, made rounds around the temple and reached Illam.

Devotees were standing on both sides of the road to pay obeisance to Amma and watch the Ayilyam Ezhunnallathu (Holy procession). The Aayilyam pooja began under the guidance of Amma after the procession arrived at Illam. Ayilyam pujas, including Noorum Palum and Guruthi, were completed by midnight. After the Ayilyam pujas, the Karanavar took permission from Amma and performed Noorum Palum. This year's Ayilyam celebrations came to an end with Amma's ritualistic visit to the temple after this.