Kottayam, 06 Nov (H.S.): The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will open today (Friday) for the annual Chithira Atta Thirunal celebrations, with special rituals and prayers scheduled for Saturday (November 7).

The temple will open at 5 p.m. today, marking the beginning of the religious observances associated with Chithira Atta Thirunal, an important occasion in the Sabarimala temple calendar.

Chief Priest (Melsanthi) Prasad E.D. will open the sanctum sanctorum and light the ceremonial lamps in the presence of Tantri Kandararu Brahmadathan.

Following the opening rituals, the sacred fire will be lit in the Aazhi, the ceremonial fireplace situated below the 18 holy steps leading to the temple.

The temple will open for devotees at 5 a.m. on Saturday, allowing pilgrims to offer prayers and participate in the special observances associated with the festival.

Chithira Atta Thirunal is observed annually at Sabarimala in connection with the birth anniversary of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former Maharaja of Travancore. The occasion holds religious and historical significance in the traditions associated with the hill shrine.

Special prayers and customary rituals will be performed throughout Saturday as part of the celebrations.

In the evening, the temple will conduct Deeparadhana, followed by the traditional Padi Pooja at the sacred 18 steps. Padi Pooja is among the important rituals performed at Sabarimala, with offerings and prayers conducted at the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum.

The temple will close at 10 p.m. on Saturday after the completion of all rituals connected with Chithira Atta Thirunal.

The two-day opening is part of the temple's annual schedule of special religious observances, during which devotees are permitted to visit the shrine and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman