A surge of spiritual fervour has gripped Erumely, the main base camp of Sabarimala pilgrims, as the town prepares to host the ceremonial Petta Thullal of the Ambalappuzha and Alangad groups, preceded by the traditional Chandanakkudam celebrations at the Nainar Mosque on Saturday. The celebration also marks the final phase of this year’s annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season.
Organised by the Erumely Mahallu Muslim Jamaat, the Chandanakkudam festivities began on Saturday evening with a grand procession that set out from the Nainar Mosque at 7.30 p.m. Accompanied by percussion ensembles and traditional art forms, the procession wound its way through the town, receiving receptions at several points, before concluding at the mosque around 3 a.m.
Earlier in the evening, Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman flagged off the Chandanakkudam procession following a public meeting inaugurated by Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan. The Chandanakkudam is observed annually to commemorate the unique bonhomie between Lord Ayyappa and his trusted Muslim lieutenant Vavar.
Ambalappuzha first
The Petta Thullal ritual will begin on Sunday noon, with the Ambalappuzha group being accorded a ceremonial reception at the mosque. Subsequently, a representative of Vavar will hold the hand of the Ambalappuzha Periyon and together they will proceed with the Petta Thullal procession to the Valiyambalam.
