The annual 'pooja' of Ayyappa Swamy was performed in the Balamuri Ganesha Temple at Tilak Nagar on December 25. The temple was decked with flowers and resounded with holy songs. The rituals started off with the lighting of the lamp by MLA Vijaykumar and it was presided over by N Nagaraju, Corporator of Byrasandra (Ward 169). Homa and havana were performed by the Chief Priest Rmadas Bhatt. There was Ayyappa Swamy bhajane on the occasion by the Ayyappa Swamy bhajana group of the Balamuri Ganapathi temple. Many took "ermudi" at the temple and left for Shabari Malai.
Also present were Corporators B Somashekar and SK Nataraj. The residents gathered in huge numbers. The official celebration concluded with annadana for 5000 people. The speciality was that the MLA and Corporators served food for the first batch of gathered crowd. The residents were utterly surprised and delighted by this humane touch. Speaking on the occasion, Nagaraju said "I am happy that many have gathered for the annadana and celebration. We served food as it is symbolic of the service we render to our people. It is said that service to mankind is a service to God."
The temple have also arranged for a special jyothi in the temple premises coinciding with the makara jyothi at Sabari mala on the day of Sankranthi festival on January 15, 2012.

--CITYPLUS NEWS DESK

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