Thanka Anki procession starts from Aranmula

The Thanka Anki, the golden coat, to be worn by the Lord Ayyappa on Mandala festival has started its journey towards the temple from Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula.
The procession started by placing the Thanka Anki in a golden chariot. The chariot left the Aranmula temple at around 7 am this morning amidst the chanting of the Ayyappa devotees. Earlier, the Thanka Anki had been placed in the strong room of the Aranmula Temple. Then, armed with a police escort, it was taken out and placed on a chariot made in the Sabarimala temple model. The procession will reach Sabarimala Sannidhanam on the 26th.

Travancore Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Verma donated in1973 the Thanka Anki to be adorned on the diety during the mandala puja. When the Thanka Angi chariot procession began, there was a huge crowd at Aranmula. Devaswom Board President N. Vasu, Members N Vijayakumar, and K.S. Ravi, Commissioner BS Thirumeni, former Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar, District Police Chief G Jayadev, district panchayat president Annapoornadevi and former MLA Maleth Saraladevi were also present. The police team from the AR camp follows the Thanka Anki procession in a special vehicle.

Fifty-five temples along the route have arranged a welcome reception. Devotees will arrive in Pampa at noon on the 26th. At 5.30 pm, those who had been assigned to receive the Thanka Anki would arrive at Thirunada and wear a special necklace and proceed to Sharankuthi. At 6 pm, the Thanga Anki procession will be followed by a ceremonial reception at Sharankuti. Then they will be brought to the temple. At 6.25 pm, the 18-foot Thnka Anki will be taken to the sanctum sanctorum by the temple priest and tantri. Afterward, a grand Deeparadhana will be held with the deity wearing the Thanka Anki.