Kochi: The famous Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala opened on Wednesday evening, signalling the start of the three-month-long Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
Melsanthi T. M. Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5 pm in the presence of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru as the chants of swamiye saranam ayyappa reverberated in the air.
Soon the installation ceremony of A, V. Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri and Aneesh Nampoothiri as the new Sabarimala and Malikappuram Melsanthis began.
Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru performed kalasabhishekam on the new Sabarimala melsanthi and passed on moola mantra of Lord Ayyappa.
The customary key handing-over ceremony was held during closure of the sreekovil at 10 pm.
After the day’s rituals, the outgoing Melsanthi climbed down the holy 18 steps after handing over the key to the new head priest who will open the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday morning.
The regular rituals will begin only after the Tantri performs the Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathi Homam in the morning.
The 41-day Mandalam festival will conclude on December 26 after Mandala Pooja. The temple will be closed after the Athazha Puja in the evening on that day.
