The renowned Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is set to commence its two-month-long Mandala pilgrimage season, with Tantri Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru initiating the opening of the sanctum sanctorum at 5:00 pm on Thursday evening. Following this, newly elected chief priest PN Mahesh will assume charge, as the current chief priest, K Jayaraman Namboothiri, is unable to attend the rituals due to a family bereavement.
This season, devotees visiting the temple will be captivated by the newly erected stone pillars at the entrance, an integral part of the ongoing construction of the hydraulic roof. Vishwa Samudra, a Hyderabad-based construction firm, is spearheading the roof construction as an offering to Lord Ayyappa, allocating approximately Rs 70 lakh for the project. The pillars, adorned with intricate carvings and spinning wheels inscribed with ‘Swamiya Saranam Ayyappa,’ stand on both sides of the ‘Padinettam Padi.’
The hydraulic roof, designed by Chennai-based Capital Engineering Consultancy, can be folded to the sides in rain-free conditions, providing an innovative solution during the ‘Padi puja’ ritual. This eliminates the need for the current practice of covering the steps with a tarpaulin sheet. The Mandala pilgrimage season, spanning 60 days, will conclude on December 27, with the temple reopening for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30. The annual Makaravilakku festival on January 15 is anticipated to draw a substantial number of devotees.
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