Erumely Pettathullal on January 12

SABARIMALA: Preparations have been completed for the annual Erumely Pettathullal, one of the important events of the Makaravilakku festival, slated to be held on January 12. Talking to the Express, devaswom assistant commissioner V Harindranath and Erumley devaswom administrative officer M Prakash said that better and improved facilities would be offered to the participants of pettathullal at Erumely.The devaswom authorities had taken steps for the supply of water for the pilgrims, who participate in the pettathullal, in the stream and taps installed on the banks of the stream in front of Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha temple, Harindranath said.Medicated drinking water, adequate number of toilets, resting place, parking facilities and free food have been arranged for the pilgrims.Ambalappuzha pettathullal: The customary pettathullal by the 500-member Ambalappuzha team led by ‘periyor’ Chandrasekharan Nair would be taken out from Erumely Kochambalam at 12 noon immediately after sighting the ‘Krishnaparunthu’ on the sky above the temple.The procession carrying the ‘Thidambu’ of Shree Dharma Sastha on a caparisoned elephant, accompanied by other elephants, would be the main attraction.On reaching the temple gate of Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha, the pettatullal team and the procession would be accorded a traditional reception by TDB president M Rajagopalan Nair and the members. After circumambulating the Nalambalam, the pettathullal would conclude at 1.30 p.m.Pettathullal by Alangattu team: The 300-member Alangattu team led by Vijayakumar would begin their thullal from the Kochambalam at 2 p.m. after witnessing the star on the eastern sky above the temple. The team would reach Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha temple at 4 p.m. after the reception at the temple gate by the devaswom authorities. Both Ambalappuzha and Alangattu team would reach Sabarimala on the Makaravilakku day after trekking through the traditional Azhutha-Karimala-Valiyanavattom route.