Thiruvananthapuram: Today is Sri Krishna Janmashtami. The Ashtami Rohini festival has begun at the Guruvayur Temple. The temple has been decorated for grand celebrations with poojas, festivities, processions, and traditional art forms. Since a huge crowd of devotees is expected, necessary arrangements have been made to ensure darshan for everyone, according to the Devaswom chairman.

The Ashtami Rohini rituals began at 3 a.m. with the Nirmalya Darshanam. More than 200 weddings will take place today at Guruvayur. As part of the arrangements, there will be restrictions on VIP and special darshan. With poojas, celebrations, processions, and folk art performances, the Guruvayur temple premises will truly transform into a festival ground today.

At the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple too, grand celebrations are being held as part of Ashtami Rohini. The community feast will be inaugurated at 10:30 a.m. by Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan. Devotees from 52 Palliyodakkaras (traditional boat communities) will gather in the temple courtyard. The feast will include delicacies such as the famous Ambalappuzha Palpayasam. Rice for the feast is being prepared using 501 para (traditional measure) of rice. At the temple, the Palliyodams will be served food on the northern and western sides, while devotees will be served on the southern side.