The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was opened in an atmosphere charged with devotion on Wednesday afternoon for the two-month-long Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season that begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikom on Thursday.
Outgoing head priest (Melsanthi) T.M. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of chief priest (Tantri) Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu amid loud chants of Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa at 5 p.m.
The Melsanthi lit the lamp inside the sanctum sanctorum and transferred the fire to the large fireplace at the Lower Tirumuttom for the devotees to burn the broken pieces of ghee-filled coconuts.
The sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa once again reverberated with chants as devotees began to trek the hills.
Installation ceremony
The Tantri installed A.V. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri of Mangalathu Azhakathu Mana at Kodakara as the new Sabarimala Melsanthi at the Sopanam of the temple. Aneesh Namboodiri of Varickom Illom at Mainagappally was installed as the new Melsanthi at the Malikappuram Devi temple.
C.P. Ramaraja Prema Prasad, Devaswom Commissioner, and M. Manoj, Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court, were present.
The one-year ‘Purappedasanthi’ term of the outgoing Melsanthis at the Ayyappa temple and the Malikappuram Devi temple ended on Wednesday and they handed over the keys of the sanctorums to the devaswom manager after the closure of the temple in the evening. The newly installed head priests would assume charge on Thursday morning. The temple rituals will begin with Ashtadravya Maha Ganapati Homam.
