Sabarimala (Keralam), Oct 17 (PTI) Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday visited Sabarimala and offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple, which opened for the monthly poojas amid a heavy rush of devotees.
Braving rain, Satheesan climbed the holy hills wearing the customary black attire of Ayyappa devotees. He was accompanied by state DGP Ravada A Chandrasekhar and other police personnel to the temple complex.
Television visuals showed the chief minister reaching the hill temple without the ‘irumudi kettu’, the sacred bundle carried on the head by pilgrims.
Amid thunderous chants of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”, the Keralam CM was seen smiling and waving at devotees who were waiting in queues for darshan.
Meanwhile, a large number of devotees arrived at the shrine following its opening for the poojas of the Malayalam month of Thulam.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan visited Pampa in the foothills of Sabarimala to review the arrangements and preparations for the upcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, which begins on November 17. PTI LGK ADB
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