Sabarimala temple opened for festivals

The Sabarimala Melsanthi Sukumaran Namboothiri opened the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum )of  Lord Ayyappa Saturday evening at 5.30 for the annual festivals in Sabarimala.The Vishukkani darsan for the pilgrims will be on April 14th.The annual 10-day festival at Sabarimala temple will begin on April 2nd and will conclude with arattu on April 11th.

The beginning of the temple festival is symbolised by Kodiyettam (hoisting of the flag) on the temple flag post(Kodimaram) by the thantri during morning hours. This is done on `Atham’ day. The festival lasts for ten days. Utsava Bali will be conducted from 2nd day onwards. Purification rites to cleanse and sanctify the temple and temple premises are carried out a day prior to the commencement of the temple festival.During festival days special poojas are offered to Lord Ayyappa and  poojas and rituals (Ulsava Bali) are also conducted for the Lord’s `Bhootaganas’ and other associates. On the ninth day, Lord’s Siveli Vigraham is symbolically taken out for a tour around his territory till Saram Kuthi- where the Pallivetta is conducted .A big crowd of pilgrims follow the procession.Aaratu signifies the end of the temple festival. On the 10th day of the festival (Thiruvonam day) is the Aarattu. The Lord who was reposing in peace at the Manimandapam is gently awakened through prayers and chanting at Brahmamuhurtham (around 3 am) and is ceremoniously taken to the Sreekovil or Sanctum Sanctorum.