Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101359100900.htm

Kerala

Sabarimala temple to open on Thursday

Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple will be opened for the five-day rituals in the Malayalam month of Thulam beginning Friday.

Melsanthi (head priest) T.K. Krishnan Namboodiri will open the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday. The rituals will begin with Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru performing Ashtadravya Ganapati homam the next morning. The Tantri said Laksharchana, Sahasrakalasabhishekom and Kalabhabhishekom will be held on Saturday. Kalabhabhishekom will be performed from October 18 to 21.

Draw of lots

The new head priests of the Ayyappa temple and the Malikappuram Devi temple will be selected on Friday morning.

M. Rajendran Nair, Special Commissioner appointed by Kerala High Court, will monitor the draw of lots at the two temples.