THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: Lakhs of people took part in Ayyappa Jyothi held under the aegis of Sabarimala Karma Samithy on Wednesday evening, demanding that the traditions and customs of Sabarimala be preserved.

The women and men lined up on either side of the roads lit lamps in chirathu and passed the flame to the nearby persons, thus giving the feeling of travelling lights.

In Kerala Ayyappa Jyothi was lit from Kasargod to Kaliyikkavila and in Tamil Nadu, it went up to Kanyakumari Triveni Sangamam. The jyothi was seen all along National high way and MC road.

Amid the chanting of Sharanam, the jyothi was lit at 6 pm in the evening. The women, men and children held jyothi in their palms till 6:10 after which they placed it on the ground at around 6:10 pm. Then they chanted sharanam, clapping their hands. By 6:30, all people immersed themselves in serious prayers.

Prominent leaders in socio-literary and cultural arena took part in meetings held in 97 important centres.

In the city, the strike pandal in front of the Secretariat was the main centre of activities. O Rajagopal MLA lit the lamp in front of an Ayyappa idol kept at a special podium. This kicked of the auspicious event, which had the backing of RSS-BJP and Ayyappa devotees.

Adivadsi Kshema Sabha and Yoga Kshema activists stood on either side of the dais. During the jyothi, the traffic had come to a halt. BJP State chief P S S reedharan Pillai, Sabarimala Karma Samithy leader Dr Thankamany, Bharatheeyavichara kendram deputy director R Sanjay, BJP district president Adv Suresh, film stars Menaka Suresh, Jalaja, Radha, Usha and producer Suresh took part in Ayyappa Jyothi.