Kerala: Sabarimala temple to open for ‘thula month’ worship on October 16

Further, the board said that the selection of melshantis (head priests) for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples would be done through a draw after the ‘ushapooj’ is over on October 17.

The lot will be taken out by two boys above the age of 10 years from the Pandalam Palace. Both the Melshantis will continue like this for the next one year.

The board said that on the reopening of the temples, lamps would be lit by the current Melshanti VK Jayaraj Potti in the presence of Thanthari Kandararu Mahesh.

After this, the Upadeva temple will be opened. He said that a fire would also be lit in front of the 18th stairway leading to the temple.

There will be no worship on the day the temple is opened.

According to a board release, devotees will be allowed to enter Sabarimala from October 17 to 21 and entry will be allowed only through virtual queue booking.

Devotees visiting the temple must have a two-dose Covid vaccine certificate or an RT-PCR negative report with them, saying ‘Neyyabhishekam’, ‘Udayasthamana Puja’, ‘Kalabhabhisheka’, ‘Padipuja’ and ‘Pushpabhishekam’ Will happen. There are rituals to be performed during this period.

The temple will be closed on October 21 and then reopened on November 2 as part of ‘Chithira Attavishesham’. Thereafter, the temple will be closed again on November 3 and will be reopened on November 15 for the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival.

Makaravilakku season

State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently said that In the initial days of Mandal-Makaravilakku, 25,000 devotees will be allowed entry per day.

The Chief Minister said in the release of the state government that if there is a need to change the number of devotees, it will be discussed later and necessary steps will be taken.

In addition, it was decided that the virtual queue system will continue, pilgrims below the age of 10 years and above 65 years of age will also be allowed and only those who have received two vaccines will be allowed to enter the temple. Have taken supplements or have negative RTPCR report.