Udaipur has a small but vibrant community belonging to the Southern Indian state of Kerala who celebrate Makar Sankranti in a very traditional manner.

Devotees of Lord Ayyappa, the community marks the day by observing various rituals, processions and prayers at the Sree Ayyappa Temple, Udaipur.

Although, this year the festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 15^th January 2012, the pre-celebration starts a day before.

The Makarvilakka Pooja started early morning at 5; comprising of Maha Mrithunjaya Hamam, a prayer dedicated to the prosperity of dear ones was observed by Pandit Madham Brahma Shrivasantam.

The colorful procession of Lord Ayyappa and the enchanting music of Mridangam spread across the locality with its entirely blissful vibes

Lord Ayappa’s procession started from Ayyappa temple at Meera Marg, taking rounds the city’s various areas like Chetak Circle, Hathipole, Delhi Gate, Surajpol, etc. and back to Ayyappa Temple in which 43 artists, who were invited from Kerala performed various traditional and age old temple arts.

The Makar Sankranti day (tomorrow, 15^th January) will start at 5:30 a.m. in the morning with prayers at the Ayyappa temple and will have prayers all day long in the temple.

There are approximately 200 south Indian families in Udaipur, all of whom have migrated from Kerala.

Here are the pictures of procession, by UT Reporter and Photographer Sayeed Ahmed.

The Lord Ayyappa temple is situated at Sabarimala, in the Western Ghats of Kerala. There are other Ayyappa temples all around India and abroad. Makar Sankranti is one of the major festivals of South Indian community, as on this day the celestial Makarjyoti is witnessed at Ponnambalamedu, another hill at Sabarimala.