Pathanamthitta: The Sabarimala temple will open today for the annual Mandala pilgrimage season. At 5 pm, under the guidance of Tantri Kandar Brahmadathan, outgoing Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri will open the temple sanctum and light the ceremonial lamp.
Following this, the Melsanthi will descend the 18 holy steps and light the fire in the homakundam (sacred fire pit).
The newly appointed Sabarimala Melsanthi Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri and Malikappuram Melsanthi A. Damodaran Namboothiri, who will be waiting at the foot of the 18 steps with their irumudikettus (sacred offerings), will then be escorted to the Sopanam by the outgoing Melsanthi.
The installation ceremonies will be held at the Sannidhanam around 6.30 pm, followed by the ceremony at Malikappuram.
On November 17, the auspicious Vrischika dawn, the newly appointed Melsanthis will open the doors of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples.
Meanwhile, the police have announced that pilgrims will be allowed to travel from Nilakkal to Pamba only after 12 noon today. Pathanamthitta SP has instructed KSRTC not to operate bus services carrying pilgrims from Nilakkal to Pamba before 12 noon on November 16.
Preparatory arrangements by various government departments have been completed ahead of the Mandala pilgrimage season.
