Makara Jyothi as divine blessings; Lakshadeepam at Padmanabhaswamy temple: Lakhs of devotees filled with joy

SABARIMALA/ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Makara Jyothi at Ponnambalamedu became auspicious for lakhs of devotees. Makara Sankrama star in the sky of Sabarimala. Pilgrims with the great virtue of Makaravilakku. On the same evening, Sree Padmanabha devotees were enjoying the virtue of Lakshadeepam in the capital. The Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple and its surroundings were filled with devotion in the glow of the Makara Sankranti evening.

Makara Jyothi at 6.41 PM

Makara Jyothi first lit up at 6.41 PM. It lit up twice more at intervals of a few minutes. Devotees lit camphor lamps and chanted Sharanam mantras at the eighteen hills and at the Sannidhanam.

Makara Sankrama Puja was held at 3.8 PM after the sun entered Dhanu rashi from Makara rashi. At this time, the Makara star twinkled in the sky. Makara Jyothi lit up at Ponnambalamedu after the Ayyappa idol was adorned with Thiruvabharanam and the temple was opened for Deeparadhana. Padi Puja will begin at the Sannidhanam from tomorrow. Neyyabhishekam will be held till the 18th.

End of Murajapam

The Lakshadeepam was lit at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple to mark the end of the 56-day Murajapam. Thousands of devotees waited with folded hands inside and outside the temple to reap the benefits of the devotional ceremony, which is held once every six years. Makara Shree Bali was at 8.30 pm. The idols of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Narasimha Swamy and Thiruvambadi Sree Krishnaswamy were taken on Garuda vahanas.