The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will be opened on October 15 afternoon for the Kumbhabhishekom of the Pathinettampady (holy 18 steps) that has been covered with new Panchaloha plates.
Melsanthi E. N. Krishnadas Namboodiri will open the sanctum sanctorum at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu assisted by the Melsanthi and other priests, will perform the ritualistic reinstallation of the Pathinettampady followed by the auspicious Kumbabhishekom and Kalasabhishekom on it in the auspicious muhurthom between 10 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. on Friday.
The Ayyappa temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on Friday evening.
The temple will reopen at 5 p.m. on Saturday for the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Thulam that begins the next day.
The draw of lots to select the new melsanthis for the Ayyappa temple and the adjoining Malikappuram Devi temple will be held at the respective temple sopanam on October 18 morning.
Sahasrakalasabhishekom will be performed prior to the Utchapuja on four days from October 19 to 22. The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on October 22 evening.
