PATHANAMTHITTA: The hill abode of Lord Ayyappa will be opened on April 10 evening for the eight-day Vishu festival celebrations. Melsanthi G Balamurali will open the sreekovil at 5.30 a.m. in the presence of Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu.
Vishukani darsan will be at 4 a.m. on April 14. Thantri Maheswararu will distribute coins to the devotees after opening the sreekovil. Playback singer K J Yesudas will be presented the first Harivarasanam award, instituted by the Travancore Devaswom Board, at a function to be held at Sabarimala on April 14.
Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar will present the award. TDB president M Rajagopalan Nair will preside over the function. Chief Secretary K Jayakumar will welcome the gathering and Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu will propose a vote of thanks. After the presentation of the award Yesudas will conduct a three-hour concert in the auditorium.
Laksharchana, Sahasrakalasam and Kalabhabhishekam will be the special rituals to be conducted during the festival days. Udayasthamana pooja, pushpabhishekam and padi pooja will be the other rituals to be conducted in the temple on all the eight days. The temple will be closed on April 18 evening after Athazha pooja and Harivarasanam.