Bengaluru, June 15 -- Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has embarked on his Sabarimala pilgrimage, marking his first visit to the famed Ayyappa shrine after assuming office as a Union Minister.

Early on Monday morning, Kumaraswamy visited the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Kochi, where he offered special prayers before commencing the pilgrimage. Following the rituals, he donned the sacred Ayyappa mala and carried the traditional Irumudi Kettu from the temple premises, formally beginning his journey to Sabarimala.

According to sources, the Union Minister and the group of devotees accompanying him are expected to reach the banks of the Pampa River by afternoon. After taking the customary holy dip at Pampa, they wi...