Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala opens for Poojas

Sabarimala: World famous Lord Ayyappa temple here in Kerala has been opened for the five-day Poojas in the Malayalam month 'Kumbam', from Sunday.

The Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the hill shrine was opened by Melsanthi (head priest) MN Parameswaran Namboodri in the presence of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru (chief priest) at 1700 hours on Saturday. Later, the Head Priest lit the sacred fire place (Aazhi) at the Lower Tirumuttom after the fire was brought from the sanctum sanctorum.

However, no ritual was performed at the Sreekovil last evening as part of the ongoing practice. As part of the monthly Poojas, the devotees were allowed for darshan from early morning today.

Routine rituals and Poojas, including Ganapathi Homam, Usha Pooja, Uchcha Pooja, Deeparadhana, Athazha Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja, Kalabhabhishekam, Padi Pooja and Pushpabhishekam, will be performed.

As many as 15,000 devotees, who booked through online 'Virtual Q' system, will be allowed for darshan every day. The devotees must produce certificate of two doses of COVID-19 vaccination or RT-PCR negative report, Travancore Devaswom Board Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sunil Arumanoor said in a release.

Meanwhile, State-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will run special services for the devotees during the period. (UNI)