Date:17/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081754960700.htm

Kerala

Ayyappa temple opens for puja

Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala opened on Thursday afternoon for the five-day monthly puja in the Malayalam month of Chingom beginning Friday. There was a heavy rush of devotees on Thursday as hundreds trekked the hills to offer prayers .

Melsanthi E. Eeswaran Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 pm. The rituals will begin with an ‘Ashtadravya Ganapati homam’ on Friday morning.

Senior Tantri of the Thazhamon Madhom Kandararu Maheswararu assumed charge as Tantri for the next one-year period. The Tantris of Thazhamon Madhom at Mundankavu, near Chengannur, have inherited the rights to conduct pujas.