Bokaro: On the first day of the New Year, the Malayali community in Bokaro gathered at the Sree Ayyappa Temple to celebrate with a special puja. Devotees participated in the rituals, paying homage to Lord Ayyappa and seeking blessings for prosperity and happiness in the coming year. Among the worshippers were seven dedicated devotees preparing for their pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The rituals were performed in their honour as they embarked on their sacred journey. Follow the currentbokaro channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98epRFSAsy7Jyo0o1x
Prasad and Blessings for Devotees- See Video
In addition to the puja, prasad was distributed to all devotees, symbolising divine blessings. The temple premises were filled with devotion, as the community united to celebrate the New Year and express gratitude for the past year. “Starting the New Year with prayers is a tradition that brings peace to our hearts,” said a devotee at the temple.
A Tradition of Pilgrimage to Sabarimala
P Rajagopalan, Chairman of the Sree Ayyappa Seva Sangham, highlighted the annual tradition of the pilgrimage. He stated, “Every year, our devotees go to Sabarimala for puja. Today, we performed the rituals here to prepare them for their journey.” Principal of Sree Ayyappa Public School Shailja Jaykumar was also present at the occassion. Follow the currentbokaro channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98epRFSAsy7Jyo0o1x
Symbolism of Sabarimala’s 18 Steps
The Ayyappa Temple, which follows rituals similar to those of Sabarimala, has become a spiritual hub for Bokaro residents. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a spiritual journey where devotees climb 18 steps symbolising various aspects of human life. The first five steps represent the five senses – Darshan (eyes), Shravana (ears), Snuff (nose), Taste (tongue), Touch (skin) – of a human being. The next eight represent emotions, and the last three steps represent qualities of human nature. The final two steps symbolise knowledge and ignorance. Follow the currentbokaro channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98epRFSAsy7Jyo0o1x
Devotees Depart for Sabarimala with Blessings from Ayyappa Temple
One of the devotees going to Sabarimala, Saseendran Karat, shared that for the past few years, some devotees of Sree Ayyappa Swami have been departing every year wearing garlands for darshan. Like every year, devotees are once again preparing to leave wearing garlands from Bokaro. On the first day of the New Year, January 1, 2025, Tulsidharan Pillai, Pawan Kumar, Unni Krishnan Nair, Baburaj-R, and Sushil Kumar Chakravarthy, who had visited earlier with his wife, will also leave for Sabarimala after the Makar Sankranti Puja at Sree Ayyappa Mandir on January 14. The Chairman of the temple management, Rajagopal, along with Secretary E S Suselan, Mohanan Nair, former Chairman Satish Nair, former Secretary D Sasikumar, and all the devotees, were present at the temple on the day of Mala Dharan and wished the devotees a happy journey and darshan. Follow the currentbokaro channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98epRFSAsy7Jyo0o1x
Ongoing Rituals and Events at Bokaro Temple
The Bokaro Sree Ayyappa Temple, consecrated under the guidance of Mohanru Kantharu, maintains its daily rituals, including Ganesh Havan, Navgrah Puja, and Rudrabhishek, among others. Every Thursday, Vishnu Puja and other special rituals are performed. Devotees continue to leave for Sabarimala every year, including this year’s group, who will depart after the Makar Sankranti Puja on January 14. Follow the currentbokaro channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98epRFSAsy7Jyo0o1x
