The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will be opened on July 15 afternoon for the five-day monthly rituals for the Malayalam month of Karkidakom that begins on July 16.
The head priest (Melsanthi), S.E. Sankaran Namboodiri, will open the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of the chief priest (Tantri), Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu, at 5 p.m. on Friday. The rituals at the temple will begin only with the Tantri performing the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapati homom at 5.15 a.m. on Saturday the first day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom.
A Kalabhabhishekom will be performed at the temple prior to the Utchapuja on Saturday. The five-day rituals at the temple and at the adjoining Malikappuram Devi temple will come to a close with the Athazhapuja on July 20 and the Ayyappa temple will be closed by 10 p.m.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will visit Sabarimala on July 17. In his maiden visit to the hillock, Mr. Vijayan will lay the foundation stone for the ropeway project to be implemented as part of the Sabarimala master plan.
Niraputhari fete
The annual Niraputhari celebrations at Sabarimala will be held on August 8, according to the TDB public relations officer, Murali Kottackakom.
The temple would be opened on August 7 afternoon for the fete.
The Tantri, assisted by the Melsanthi, will perform the Niraputhari-puja in the auspicious muhurthom between 5.45 a.m. and 6.15 a.m. on August 8.
The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja in the evening.
