SABARIMALA, INDIA, May 14, 2012 (The Hindu): The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala opened on Monday afternoon for the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Edavom that begins on Tuesday. The head priest, N.Balamurali, opened the sanctum sanctorum amidst loud chants by the scores of Ayyappa devotees who were camping at the holy hillock, awaiting the opening of the shrine.
The temple rituals will begin with the Ashtadravya Ganapati homom on Tuesday, the first day in the Malayalam month of Edavom. The temple chief priest (Tantri), Kandararu Maheswararu, performed the Sahasrakalasapuja at the Namaskara-mandapam of the Ayyappa Temple on Monday afternoon.
Sabarimala Devaswom Executive Officer, M.Sathishkumar, told Hindu that the Sahasrakalasabhishekom and Kalabhabhishekom would be performed at the Ayyappa shrine prior to the Utchapuja on all the days. An auspicious Laksharchana will also be performed at the Sannidhanam on May 16 and 19. Padipuja, Laksharchana, and Udayasthamanapuja will be held at the Ayyappa shrine on all the five days.