Article By: S. Vijayakumari, Retd. Educationist, Virugambakkam. 

The members of the Mayilai Akhila Bharata Ayyappa Seva Sangam, Luz Branch celebrated their 28th annual Lakshaarchana festival in a grand manner on Dec.6 (Saturday) and Dec.7 (Sunday) at 22, South Mada Street, Bommai Chathiram, Mylapore. The festival began with a Sri Ganapati homam and continued with temple puja, Sri Ayyappa abhishekam, Lakshaarchana, Veda recitations, and a maha deepa aradhana among other sacred rites. After the ceremonies concluded, prasadam was distributed to hundreds of devotees.
The event also featured devotional recitations such as the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Sri Lalitha Sahasranama, and Thevaram hymns performed by the Mayilai Maragathamabal Malleeswarar Bhakta Jana Sabha women’s ensemble. Hundreds of women performed the Thiruvilakku puja and received the blessings of Lord Sri Ayyappa.
Accompanied by nadaswaram music from Vathiyakalaimani M. I. Kumar and his troupe, and the Mayilai Siva Vathiyak group’s percussion, the Panchaloka Ayyappan procession on a decorated vehicle proceeded pleasantly through the streets.
A lecture on “Sastharam Pranamamyahan” was presented by Sastha Vyasar Dr. Aravind Subramamanyam in the evening.
Additionally, a bharatanatyam performance was held by the students of Nrithya Kalaivani, Hemalatha Ramachandran from the Bharatha Kalalayam School of Music and Dance, which was succeeded by Pushpanjali and Mangalaharathi.
The multitude of devotees assembled there were bestowed with the divine grace of Sri Hariharasudhan.