Pathanamthitta, Friday, June 10, 2011: The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala will open on Friday afternoon for the rituals in connection with the anniversary of idol installation.

Melsanthi (head priest) Ezhikode Sasi Nambodiri will open the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 p.m. Though there is no ‘puja’ on Friday, the temple will be kept open till 10 p.m. for devotees to have darshan.

Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru assisted by the Melsanthi will prepare the Sahasrakalasom (holy waters) in 1,000 small copper urns and the Brahmakalasom for the Sahasrakalasabhishekom to be performed at the temple prior to the Utchapuja on Saturday.

The pujas will begin with the Tantri performing Ashtadravya Ganapati Homom on Saturday morning.

Sahasrakalasabbhishekom, Kalabhabhishekom, Padipuja, Ashtabhishekom, Udayasthamanapuja, and Pushpabhishekom will be performed. The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja in the evening.

(News agency)