The anniversary of idol installation at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was celebrated with religious fervour on Tuesday.
Hundreds of Ayyappa devotees from different parts of the State and the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh thronged the holy hillock on the occasion. Melsanthi (head priest) E.S. Sankaran Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5 a.m. and the rituals began with Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu performing Ashtadravya Maha Ganapati homom.
The temple was closed after Athazhapuja in the evening. The five-day monthly rituals at the temple will begin on the first day in the Malayalam month of Midhunom on Wednesday. — Special Correspondent
