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Sabarimala temple opens

By Our Staff Reporter

SABARIMALA Nov. 16. The Lord Ayyappa temple here was opened this afternoon for the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage.

The Melsanthi, A. R. Raman Nampoothiri, opened the sanctorum and lit a traditional lamp amid chants of `Swamiye saranam Ayyappa', at 5-30 p.m.

The new Melsanthi, Perikamana Sankara Narayanan Nampoothiri of Pinarayi Ganapathibhadram, ascended the holy 18 steps when the gates were opened. The installation of Sankara Narayanan Nampoothiri as new Sabarimala Melsanthi was done by the Thantri, Kantaru Mohanaru, later in the evening.

The Thantri poured kalasom (holy water) on the new Melsanthi as part of the installation ceremony. Hundreds of devotees thronged the Sannidhanam to witness the ceremony.

The outgoing Melsanthi climbed down the holy steps after the closure of the temple with Harivarasanam chants, later.

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