Sabarimala temple to open for idol installation anniversary

Pathanamthitta, Jun 11 (UNI) The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was opened today to observe the anniversary of installation of the idol.

Melsanthi T K Krishnan Nampoothiri opened the Sanctum Sanctorum at 1730 hrs and lit the ceremonial lamps in the presence of Tantri Kantararu Maheswararu.

The idol installation anniversary will be celebrated tomorrow.

The shrine will be opened at 0500 hrs and the installation day rituals would begin with a ''Ganapathi homam''.

A ''Sahasra Kalasabhishekam'' will be performed to the presiding deity prior to ''Uchapooja'' on Thursday.

The Tantri will fill 1000 small copper urns with holy water while chanting ''Mantras''. A golden urn imagined as ''Brahma Kalasam'' will also be filled before ''Abhishekam''.

Other ''Poojas'' to be held include 'Ushapooja', 'Neyyabhishekam', 'Padi Pooja' and 'Udayasthamaya Pooja'. The hill-shrine will be closed at 2200 Hrs after 'Athazhapooja' tomorrow.

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