Sabarimala temple opened for Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrim season today. Rush of devotees heading to Sabarimala started from Day One itself. In the evening at around 5, chief priest S E Shankaran Namboothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum and lighted the ghee lamp in the presence of Thanthri Kantararu Rajeevaru. After that he climbed down the 18 steps to light Aazhi (big fire place). Only after that devotees were allowed to climb up the 18 steps.
There won’t be special pooja today. New chief priests were given charge at 6 in the evening.
Ottapalam Cherppulassery Thekkumparambathu T M Unnikrishnan Namboothiri and Malikappurathu Changanassery Vazhappally Puthumana Ellathu Manu Namboothiri are the new chief priests. Former chief priests will descent the hillock today night.
Devaswom board and other departments have informed that all arrangements have been made for the pilgrim reason.
40 lakh tonne Aravana and 20 lakh tonne Appam have been stocked.
Since bottled water has been banned at Sannidhanam, new RO plants and 30 water kiosks have been installed. Central and State police have evaluated security situations. From today onwards, there will be special KSRTC bus services from State depots to Pamba.
