Tantri Kandararu Maheswararu, assisted by Melsanthi N. VishnuNamboodiri, performing Padipuja at Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on November 14, 2009. Photo: Leju Kamal
G.Vishnu Namboodiri being installed as the new head priest (Melsanthi)of the Lord Ayyappa Temple. Photo: Leju Kamal
Outgoing melsanthi N.Vishnu Namboodiri, accompanied by the templetantri Kandararu Maheswararu and other priests, opening the LordAyyappa Temple at Sabarimala on November 15, 2009. Photo: Leju Kamal
The holy hillock of Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush as hundreds ofpilgrims from different parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh andKarnataka trekked the hills, braving the heavy downpour in theforests, on November 15, 2009. Photo: Leju Kamal
The Ayyappa Temple will reopen on December 30 afternoon for theMakaravilakku festival that begins on December 31. The Makaravilakkuday falls on January 14, 2010 and the temple will be closed on January19 evening, marking the culmination of the Makaravilakku festival. Photo: Leju Kamal