The Travancore Devaswom Board has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual Vishu festival and five-day rituals in the Malayalam month of Medom that begins on Friday.
Vishu will be celebrated on Friday. Tantri Kandararu Rajeevararu told The Hindu that Vishukkani darshan at the temple will be held from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Friday.
Melsanthi T.M. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri and his assistants will prepare Vishukkani inside the sanctum sanctorum with flowers, Ashtamangalyam, coconuts, fresh vegetables, fruits, immediately after Athazhapuja on Thursday evening.
The Tantri and Melsanthi will offer coins as Vishukaineettom to all the devotees visiting the forest shrine on Friday.
According to Yatheendranath, Sabarimala Administrative Devaswom Officer, the Devaswom has made sufficient stock of Aravana and Appam to meet pilgrims’ demand during the festival period.
He said the TDB would serve food for all devotees at its Annadanam Mandapam at Sabarimala on all days.
Mr. Yatheendranath said the Devaswom has got sufficient stock of water to meet the requirements during Vishu.
The temple will be closed after Athazhapuja on April 18 evening, marking the culmination of this year’s Vishu festival.
