SABARIMALA: The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here will be opened on April 10 for the eight-day long Vishu festival celebrations. Melsanthi Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri will open the sreekovil in the presence of thantri Mahesh Mohanaru at 5 pm marking the commencement of the celebrations.As has been the practice, no rituals will be performed at the sreekovil in the afternoon.
The sreekovil will be opened for ‘Vishukani’ darsan at 4 am on April 15. The devotees will have darsan of Lord Ayyappa decorated with various flowers, including ‘kanikonna’. A traditional kani comprising various fruits, including the jackfruit, will be prepared in front of the principal deity from 4 am-6pm. The devotees gathered in front of the Sreekovil will be offered ‘coins’ by the thantri and melsanthi after getting darsan of Lord Ayyappa .
Kalabhabhishekam and sahasrakalasam will be the special rituals to be performed during the Vishu festival days.Udayasthamana pooja, padi pooja and pushpabhishekam will be the other rituals to be conducted on all the eight days of the Vishu festival. After athazha pooja and harivarasanam, the hill shrine will be closed on April 18 marking the conclusion of the Vishu festival.