The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was closed after the Athazhapuja on Sunday evening, marking the culmination of the five-day monthly rituals in Malayalam month of Kumbhom. The 10-day annual festival at the temple will be held from March 12 to 21.
The temple will be opened at 5 p.m. on March 11. ‘Kodiyettu,’ marking the beginning of the annual festival, will be held on March 12, with Tantri Kandararu Rajeevararu hoisting the ceremonial flag. The Utsavabali ritual will be held at the Sannidhanam after the Utchapuja on all days from March 13 to 20. ‘Pallivetta’ will be held at Saramkuthi on the trekking path on March 20 evening.
The temple festival will come to a close with Arat on March 21. The Arat ceremony will be held at the specially prepared Arat kadavu in the Pampa in the forenoon.
The Tantri will bring down the ceremonial flag on the temple mast at the night. The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja.
