Melsanthi P.N. Narayanan Namboodiri rings the temple bell before opening the sanctum sanctorum at the Sabarimala temple. The temple opened for its annual two-month long pilgrimage season on Sunday evening. Also seen is Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. —ARUNCHANDRA BOSE
Sabarimala: The Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season kick-started with the outgoing Melsanthi (chief priest) P.N Narayanan Namboothiri opening the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 pm on Sunday.
This was followed by the ceremonial installation of the new Melsanthi Ezhikkad Krishnan Namboodiri and the new Malikapuram Melsanthi Keshavan Namboodiri, who lead the proceedings thereafter.
The Travancore Devaswom Board , along with various Government departments and voluntary agencies went on with their last minute arrangements as the first batch of pilgrims arrived here at 7.30 am.
As the pilgrims ascended alongside dozens of jagerry laden heavy vehicles that catered to Aravana manufacturing here, the Motor Vehicle Department gave a final minute briefing to over 400 officials at Nilakkal.
By around 6pm, parking at Pampa was full and long queues of pilgrims started pouring in from Sharamkuthi. Several free-food and water serving stalls have been opened for devotees.
Around 1,500 policemen along with 150 personnel from 105 Battalion of the RAF from Coimbatore, provided security. Bag scanners, metal detectors and frisking have been put in place.
“We have set up a new tank with a capacity of around 40 lakh litres to meet the needs of pilgrims,’’ said Jayachandran, Sabaraimala executive officer. The officials expect at least 15 per cent more pilgrims this season and Monday being the 1st of Vrishchikam, it will be one of the busiest days.
During the season, the temple will be kept open for a total of 16.5 hours every day and the timings may be altered on peak days. The temple will open at 4 am and close after Uchapooja at 1.30 pm. It will then open at 4 pm to close after athazhapooja at 11 pm.
The Mandala Puja, marking the culmination of the 41-day Mandalam pilgrimage, will be held on December 27 and the temple will remain closed for the next two days and will open again at 5.30 pm on December 30. The Makarvilakku falls on January 14 and the Makarajyoti darshan will be on the same evening. -deccanchronicle.com
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