Sabarimala temple opens

PATHANAMTHITTA: The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala was opened for the five-day monthly poojas for the Malayalam month of Kumbham on Monday.Melsanthi G Balamurali opened the Sreekovil of the temple at 5.30 am in the presence of thantri Kandararu Maheswararu. As a practice, hardly any ritual was conducted at the temple in the evening.Laksharchana onFebruary 18 Laksharchana would be conducted at the temple on February 18, Sabarimala executive officer M Satheeshkumar said. Satheeshkumar said that Sahasrakalasam and Kalabhabhishekam would be the special rituals to be held at the temple.Udayasthamana pooja, Padi pooja and Pushpabhishekam would be held on all the days of the monthly pooja. The temple will be closed on February 18 evening after Athazha pooja and Harivarsanam.