Sivagiri pilgrimage gets underway

The dharma pathaka (flag) and string reached Sivagiri on Thursday heralding the 73rd Sivagiri pilgrimage.

The flag procession had left for Sivagiri from the temple premises in Nagambadam, Kottayam on Monday under the leadership of the SNDP Union.

The procession with the string which started from the temple premises in Kalavamkode, Cherthala where Sree Narayana Guru had installed the mirror also reached Sivagiri.

The processions that reached Sivagiri on Thursday evening were received by the office-bearers of the Sivagiri Dharma Sangham Trust. Trust president Swamy Swarupandanda will carry out the flag-hoisting function at 7 am Friday marking the start of the Sivagiri pilgrimage.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen chandy will inaugurate the conference at which SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan will chair. The chief guest at the function will be Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Signh.

The pilgrims’ procession will start from the mahasannidhi at 6.30 am on Saturday. Swami Subhangananda informed that pilgrims should be clad in yellow dress while taking part in the procession. The procession will reach back in Sivagiri after touching the Varkala grounds.

Union Home Minister Sivraj Patil will inaugurate the pilgrims’ conference which follows this. State Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman will inaugurate the conference for propagating the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru. On January 1, there will be a seminar on Spirtitualisation of the Mundane Life.