Navarathri idol procession begins with police escort

PADMANABHAPURAM: The idols for Navarathri celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram were taken out as procession from Padmanabhapuram palace with the escort of police on Thursday. The procession began today morning after rituals that evoked memories of good old days under the rule of Travancore kings.

Though there were rumours that the police would not be present for giving the guard of owner or escort to the procession of idols, the posse of policemen led by ADGP Rajesh Diwan was present at the palace.

The rituals started after Munnottinanka from Sucheendram and Kumaraswamy from Kumara Kovil arrived at the front courtyard of the palace.

Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Kadannapally Ramachandran, and Devaswom board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan were present, as government representatives. Archaeological director Prem Kumar handed over traditional sword to Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who in turn handed it over to Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran. From Kadannappally, it was received by Devaswom Board Joint Commissioner Bharthi.

The procession started after Devaswom Manager Sudharsanan received the sword from Bharthi. The guard of honour was given jointly by Kerala and Tamil Nadu police teams.  Governor P Sathasivam will receive the idols on October 1.
After this, Saraswathi idol will be placed inside the navarathri mandapam of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Kumaraswamy and Silver horse inside Aryasala Devi temple and Munnottinanka inside Aryasala Devi temple.

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