Monthly rituals begin

The five-day rituals at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple during the Malayalam month of Edavom began on Tuesday.

However, the temple was closed at 11.30 a.m., after the Utchapuja and Kalabhabhishekom, prior to the funeral of senior tantri Kandararu Maheswararu around 12 noon.

The temple was reopened after performing Panchapunyahom, a purification ritual, at 5 p.m.

The tantri family has made temporary arrangements to perform the rites at Sabarimala during monthly puja period, as the incumbent tantri Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu is unable to perform the rites for the next 11 days owing to defilement (pula) following the death of his grandfather.

Tantric rites

The family has deputed Manu Namboodiri who does not have any paternal relationship with Maheswararu to perform the tantric rites at Sabarimala during the period, according to Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu.

Ashtabhishekom, Udayasthamana puja, Kalabhabhishekom, Pushpabhishekom, and Padipuja were performed at the Ayyappa temple on Tuesday.

Manu Namboodiri, assisted by Melsanthi A.V. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, performed the Utchapuja and the Padipuja.

Postponed

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board has postponed the astrological consultation, Ashtamangala Devaprasnom, scheduled to be held on May 17 at Sabarimala, following the senior tantri’s death on Monday.

The Ayyappa temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on May 19 evening.