Sabarimala, Nov 16 (UNI) World famous hill shrine Lord Ayyappa temple is set to open on Friday at 1700 hrs for as two-month long annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage beginning on November 17, the first day of Malayalam month 'Vrichikam.'
The outgoing Melsanthi (Head Priest), AV Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri, will open the Sanctom Sanctorum in the presence of Chie Priest (Tantri) Rajeev Kandararu in an atmosphere charged with devotion.
After lighting the lamp inside the sanctum sanctorum, the outgoing head priest will transfer the fire to a larger fire place, (Aazhi), in front of the holy 18-steps at the Lower Tirumuttom, where the devotees burn the broken pieces of ghee-filled coconuts.