Sabarimala temple opens for Makara Vilakku festival

 
Sabarimala: Thousands of pilgrims have been waiting to see their beloved deity Ayyappan from the morning itself. Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Chief Priest Brahmashree Areekara Sudheer Namboodiri opened the nada on Monday (Dec. 30) at 5.30 pm.
Malikappuram Chief Priest Madavana Parameswaran Namboodiri was given the keys entrusted with the Sabarimala chief priest and took the Vibhuti from the Lord Ayyappa idol and opened the Malikappuram temple. Sabarimala Executive Officer VS Rajendra Prasad, Assistant Executive Officer J Jayaprakash and Administrative Officer Sreekumar was also present.
Hours before the opening, the premises and surroundings were so crowded that the pilgrims chanted the Saranamanthra. The influx of pilgrims, including Child Malikapuram and Child Ayyappan from other states on opening day is a clear indication that a huge will gather at Sabarimala in the coming days.