Kottayam, Feb 14 (UNI) The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was opened for the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Kumbham that begins on Friday.
Melsanthi (head priest) A K Sudheer Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu and Travancore Devaswom Board officials on Thursday evening.
The rituals began with the Tantri performing the Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam this morning.
The Laksharchana ritual will be performed at the temple on February 16 and Sahasra Kalasabhishekam on February 18.
Kalabhabhishekam, Padi pooja, Udayasthamana pooja and Pushpabhishekom will be performed prior to the Utcha pooja on all five days.
The temple will close after Athazha pooja on the evening of February 18, sources said.
UNI GKN CS 1425