SABARIMALA: The hill abode of Lord Ayyappa here will be opened on April 10 for the eight-day celebration of Vishu festival. Melsanthi Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri will open the sreekovil, marking the commencement of the Vishu celebrations, in the presence of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru. However, no rituals will be performed at the sreekovil on April 10 evening as has been the practice.
The sreekovil will be opened for Vishukani darsan at 4 am on April 15. The devotees will be provided darsan of Lord Ayyappa decked with flowers. There also be a traditional kani prepared using fruits including the jackfruit. The thantri and melsanthi will offer coins along with ‘prasadam’ to the devotees gathered in front of the Sreekovil.
Kalabhabhishekam, Sahasrakalasam and Laksharchana are the special rituals to be performed during the eight-day festival. On April 15 Vishu day, Kalabhabhishekam and Sahasrakalasam will be the special rituals performed before the deity. As part of the Kalabhabhishekam, the thantri will perform the Brahmakalasa pooja at the mandapam at 10.30 am in the melsanthi’s presence.
The ritual will be concluded with Kalabhabhishekam on the idol of the Lord during Uchcha pooja after the procession carrying the Brahamakalasam led by the thantri circumambulates the sreekovil . Kalasa pooja will be offered at the sopanam by the thantri at 4pm on April 14 in connection with the sahasrakalsam on Vishu day.
Udayasthamana pooja, Padipooja and Pushpabhishekam will be the other rituals to be performed at the temple on the all the eight days of Vishu poojas. The temple will be closed after Athazha pooja and Hariavarasanam at 10 pm on April 18, marking the conclusion of the Vishu festival.