The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was opened on Saturday afternoon for the monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Meenom that begins on Sunday. Head priest (Melsanthi) E.N. Krishnadas Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 p.m.
The rituals will begin with chief priest (Tantri) Kandararu Rajeevararu performing the Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homom on Sunday morning. Sahasrakalasabhishekom, Kalabhabhishekom, Ashtabhishekom, Udayasthamanapuja, Pushpabhishekom, and Padipuja will be held on the five days.
