Pathanamthitta, Sunday 11 April 2010: Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala opened on Saturday afternoon for the eight-day annual Vishu festival that begins today. Melsanthi (chief priest) G. Vishnu Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 p.m.

The rituals will begin with Tantri Kandararu Maheswararu performing the auspicious Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam today morning.

The Vishukkani darshan will be held from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Thursday. A Kalabhabhishekam and Sahasrakalasabhishekam will be performed on Monday and April 18. The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on April 18.