Sabarimala temple opened on Sunday for Chingom
Posted on: 19/Aug/2015 12:15:13 PM
The Malayalam New Year month of Chingom sets on Monday for which the lord Ayyapa temple at Sabarimala got opened on Sunday. A 5-day ritual will be performed in the temple to celebrate the New Year. The sanctum sanctorum was opened by the Melsanthi (head priest), E.N. Krishnadas Namboodiri at a 5 pm.
The position as chief priest (tantric) was acquired by Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, son of Kandararu Mohanararu of the Thazhamon Madhom at Chengannur at Sabarimala. All the holy hillocks will be performed by him henceforth from Monday.
Mahesh who is 22 years old is the grandson of the senior-most Sabarimala tantri, Kandararu Maheswararu. As his grandfather aged 90 is suffering illness, Mahesh assumed charges at the Sabarimala. The heads of two branches of Thazhamon Brahmin family is performing all the tantric rights at the Ayyapa temple at various other shrines present at the Sabarimala. The family is headed by Maheswararu along with Kandararu Rajeevararu who is his nephew. The two head the family alternatively every year which is an integral arrangement made there.
Special rituals
Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi homom will be performed to kick-start the rituals at the temple on Monday morning. Both at the Ayyapa shrine and at Maha Ganapathi temple at Pampa, a Laksharchana will be performed for the eve of Malayalam New Year.
On all the five days, Sahasrakalasabhishekom, Kalabhabhishekom, Ashtabhishekom, Pushpabhishekom and Padipooja will take place at the Ayyappa temple. After completion of these rituals, the Ayyapa shrine will be closed on 21st of August, in the evening. The temple will then be reopened for the eve of Onam on 26h of August in the afternoon. Rituals for Onam will begin on the next day morning. On the Uthradom day (Uthradasadya), Melsanthi will host a feast following Utchapuja performed at the Sannidhanam on 27th of August. The Onam feast called Onasadya will be hosted by a devotee from Seethathode. This will take place on the Thiruvonam day on 28th of August. After Athazhapuja on 30th of August, in the evening, the temple will be closed.
