Lokarpana of sacred 18 steps on 11.05.2026, Monday - The Ceremony

Monday 11th, 2026, will be remembered for a long time in the temple`s history.

This day witnessed the unprecedented event of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam`s two Peetadhipathis setting foot in Ubrangala temple, for blessing & inaugurating the newly brass plate-covered sacred 18 steps of the temple. Dakshinamnaya Shringeri Shri Sharada Peetam`s Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Shri Vidhushekara Bharathi Sannidangal and Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya Samshtana Edneer Mutt`s Shri Shri Sachidananda Bharathi Swamiji performed the Lokarpana ceremony at 6.30 PM by lighting the Bhadra deepam, followed by jointly ascending the sacred steps. This was preceded by the performance of the Dwara Pooja by Kshethracharya Brahmashri Delampady Ganesh Tantry in the august presence of Brahmashri Kuntar Ravish Tantry and Kshetra astrologer Shri Nagendra Bharadwaj. The ceremony was also graced by Shri Narayana Varma of Pandalam palace, Shabarimala.

In the Dharmic sabha, Shri Shri Sachidananda Bharathi gave Aashirvachana (blessings) and Brahmashri Kuntar Ravish Tantry delivered Dharmic pravachana (discourse). Pandalam Narayana Varma spoke about Shri Shasthara and expressed his percieved sense of divinity akin to Shabarimala here. He praised the temple for maintaining the dharmic rituals in its purity and religiuos ferver. Shri Narayana Varma was honoured on the occasion. Shri Raghurama Varma of Maipaady palace was also recognised on this occasion. Smt. Talippady Jahnavi Shastry, the principle donor of the project, Shri Ganghadara Marar Neeleshwar - who has been rendering temple services in the district for several decades, Shri Suresh Uliyathadka - who was the contractor for the project were also honoured on the occasion. Later, Shringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Shri Vidhushekara Bharathi Sannidangal blessed the gathering.

Kshetra Utsavam was held following the inauguration of the holy steps. The highlight of the event was the mesmerising accompaniment of 101 Chende Vadya melam led by Shri Ratish Thrissur of Kalamandalam.

More than 4000 devotees visited the temple during the evening and Bhojana prasadam were served to all.