Sabarimala’s Lord Ayyappa temple opens for Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival
Sabarimala (Kerala), Nov 15 (UNI) The world famous Lord Ayyappa temple was opened on Monday evening for the two-month long Mandalam-Makaravilakku annual festival beginning on November 16, the first day of Malayalam month ‘Vrichikam.
The Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the hill shrine was opened by the outgoing Melsanthi (head priest) VK Jayaraj in the presence of “Thantri” Mahesh Mohanaru (chief priest) at 1700 hrs.
However, no ritual was performed at the Sreekovil this evening as part of the ongoing practice. Tantri Rajeevaru Kandararu lit the sacred fire place (Aazhi) at the Lower Thirumuttam.
Later, the installation of N Parameshwaran Namboodri as new Melsanthi of the Lord Ayyappa temple was performed. Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru performed the installation ceremony by conducting ‘Kalasabhishekam’ on the new Melsanthi in front of the Sreekovil at 1800 hrs.
Later the Thantri whispered the ‘Moolamantram’ of Lord Ayyappa in the ear of the new Melsanthi.
The new Melsanthi will take charge on November 16 for a one-year term on the first day of the Malayalam month of ‘Vrichikom.’
The installation ceremony of the new Melsanth of Malikappuram Devi temple, Sambu Namboodri was also performed by the chief priest this evening.
Later in the evening, the outgoing Melsanthis of the both the temples returned to their homes after completing their one-year tenure in the temple .
The temple rituals will begin by Tantri performing Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathi Homam on Tuesday morning. The Neyyabhishekam will begin after Ashtabhishekom.
Meanwhile, the swearing cermony of the newly appointed Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President and the Board Member took place at the TDB head office in Thiruvananthapuram this morning.
Advocate K Ananthagopan was sworn as the new president and advocate Manoj Charalel as Board Member.
This year’s Mandala Pooja festival will conclude on December 26, 2021. Later, the temple will open on December 30, 2021 for the Makaravilakku festival which will conclude on January 20, 2022. The Makaravilakku Darshan will be on January 14, 2021.
Due to COVID restrictions, only 30,000 pilgrims are allowed for Darshan every day.
UNI DS ACL2238