THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The idols that blessed the capital city for the last nine days as part of the Navaratri festival began their return journey on Saturday.

The idols of Padmanabhapuram Thevarakettu Saraswathi idol, which was installed for worship at the Aryashala temple; Velimala Kumaraswamy idol, installed for worship at the Navaratri Mandapam, and Suchindram Munnuttinanga from the Chenthitta temple were taken to Killipalam in the morning. The Kerala Police provided a guard of honour to the idols following their yearly custom. The Travancore Devaswom Board also gave a rousing welcome.

The Udavaal (ceremonial sword), which was worshipped at the Navratri Mandapam, was handed over to the Kanyakumari Devaswom Board authorities by the Navratri Trust Administrator R. Rajarajavarma.

Pooyam Thirunal Gowri Parvathi Bayi and Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, and Trust Secretary D. Venkiteshwara Iyer of Kowdiar Palace attended the ceremony. The Udavaal is carried throughout the journey as a symbol reminiscing about the king carrying the sword during the Navratri Yatra, accompanied by his entourage.

The idols, after reaching the Neyyatinkkara Krishna temple, were brought down and worshipped on Saturday night. On Sunday, the idols will also be worshipped at the Kuzhithurai Mahadeva Temple. On Monday evening, the idols will reach Padmanabhapuram. After the Arattu in the Homappura pond of the palace, the Saraswati Devi will be worshipped at Thevarakkettu.

The Kumaraswamy idol will be taken to Velimala in the evening. The Munnuttinanga idol worshipped at the Neelakanta Swamy temple will be taken to Suchindram Temple in a procession on the 7th morning.