Kottayam : Guruswamy Gangadharan Pillai, 91, of Kulathinalil, Thonnalloor, who led the Sabarimala Thiruvabharana pedaka vahaka sangham (team carrying Thiruvabharanam), passed away on Friday.
He served as a member of the sangham for 35 years and as its guruswamy for 20 years, during which he was responsible for carrying the Thiruvabharanam — kept at the Pandalam Palace — in procession from the Valiya Koyikkal Dharma Sastha Temple to Sabarimala Sannidhanam ahead of the Makara vilakku darshan. Pillai had been resting from duties since 2025 owing to age-related reasons. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news.
Thiruvabharanam, the golden ornaments to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa during Makaravilakku darshan, is carried to the Sannidhanam in a three-day procession. He leaves behind his son Unni Kulathinalil (a member of the Thiruvabharana pedaka vahaka sangham) and daughters Pushpa Madhu, G Sindhu and Sunitha Sreekumar (Ayurdan Ayurveda Hospital). His wife, Gourikutty Amma, predeceased him. Download the TOI App.
The funeral will be held at the residence at 3pm on Saturday.