Sabarimala temple reopens for five-day monthly 'puja'

Sabarimala, Feb 12: Sabarimala temple reopened on Tuesday for five-day monthly 'puja' in the Malayalam month of Kumbhom.

There is a sense of anxiety in and around Sabarimala as the Lord Ayyappa shrine is all set to reopen on Tuesday for monthly worship, after witnessing frenzied protests during the recently concluded annual pilgrim season over the entry of young women.

The hilltop temple would be opened for five days till February 17 for the monthly pujas during the Malayalam month of Kumbam, temple authorities said Monday.

The state police has stepped up vigil in and around Sabarimala in view of possible protests by Sangh outfits against the entry of women, belonging to the traditionally barred age group.

Chief priest Vasudevan Nampoothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of 'tantri' (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru.

There would be no specific pujas on Tuesday and the shrine would be closed at 10 pm with the rendition of 'harivarasanam', the customary lullaby for Lord Ayyappa, temple authorities said.

(With PTI inputs)