PALA: A teak tree from Pala will become the flag pole in the Ayyappa temple in Kenya. The flagpole to the Ayyappa temple in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, is brought from Vilakkumadam in Pala. The tree cut from Eettikal Rajan's property is now in an oil tank at Vaikom Kudavechur Cherakulangara Kartyayani Devikshetrasannidhi.

It will be taken to Kenya by ship in early February. This is the first time that the flag is being taken abroad from Kerala. Devotees visit the temple at Kudavechur every day to worship the teak tree.

The temple, run by the Sri Ayyappa Seva Samaj in Nairobi, has three pujas a day. Kaimukku Jathavedan Namboothiri is the tantri. Last month, a 'devaprashnam' was held in front of a temple in Kenya under the leadership of Krishnaprasad Bhatt, a disciple of astrologer Padmanabha Sharma. Following this, the process of setting up the flagpole was expedited.

Consecration 23 years ago

Ayyappa idol was installed at the temple in Nairobi 23 years ago. The temple in Nairobi is a refuge for about 400 Malayali families. Praveen Kumar Nair, secretary of the Nairobi Sri Ayyappa Seva Samajam, told Kerala Kaumudi that as soon as the flag pole is installed, the festival will be held. Rajendra Prasad, a native of Changanassery, is the Chairman of the Samajam.