Padi pooja begins at Sabarimala temple

THE four-day Padi pooja ritual, the first time during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, began at the Sabarimala temple here on Wednesday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Sabarimala

The ritual, which began after deeparadhana, was performed under the leadership of thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan in the presence of melsanthi Arunkumar Nampoothiri. The hour-long ritual, which began with the lighting of traditional lamps at each of the 18 Holy Steps, concluded with performing 'aarati' by the th