Sabarimala temple opens for Niraputhari

Only 15,000 devotees will be allowed darshan a day

The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala opened here on Sunday on the eve of the annual Niraputhari celebrations. Under the guidance of Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, Melsanthi V.K. Jayaraj Potti opened the sanctum sanctorum of the temple at 5 p.m. This was followed by the opening of the various Upadevatha temples and the lighting of the ‘aazhi’ near the 18 holy steps. The temple will open for the Niraputhari ritual at 4 a.m. on Monday. Paddy spikes cultivated on the hill top will be taken in a procession led by the Melsanthi to the temple. The Niraputhari puja will be held between 5.55 a.m. and 6.20 a.m. and following the ritual, the paddy spikes will be distributed to the devotees.