The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple was opened on Monday for the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom that begins on Tuesday.
Melsanthi (head priest) A.V. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5 p.m. in the presence of Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Maheshwararu Mohanararu and the devaswom authorities.
A large number of devotees offered worship on Monday. The temple rituals will begin with the Tantri performing the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi homom on Tuesday morning.
The Tantri, assisted by Melsanthi and other priests, will perform the Sahasrakalasabhishekom prior to the Utchapuja on all days from July 18 to 21.
Kalabhabhishekom, Padipuja, Udayasthamanapuja, Puspabhishekom, and Ashtabhishekom will be performed at the Ayyappa temple on all the five days.
The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on July 21 evening, marking the culmination of the five-day rituals in the month of Karkidakom. The Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sanghom has opened a camp at Appachimedu to assist pilgrims climbing the hills.