Sabarimala (Kerala) | The famed Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala here will open on August 16 for Chingam month pujas, with the TDB and KSRTC making extensive arrangements for devotees.
Onam, the harvest festival, is celebrated during the auspicious Malayalam month of Chingam.
Thiruvonam, the most important day of the Onam festivities, falls on August 26 this year.
The temple will be opened at 5 pm on August 16 by melsanthi (head priest) Prasad E D in the presence of temple tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Brahmadathan.
The sacred fire will then be lit in the "aazhi" (holy fire pit) below the Pathinettam Padi (18 steps), the Travancore Devaswom Board said in a statement on Friday.
The temple will open for darshan at 5 am on August 17, the first day of Chingam, which marks the Malayalam New Year.
The drawing of lots to select the Sabarimala "ulkazhakam", who assists the melsanthi with pujas and other rituals, will also be held on August 17 after the usha puja (morning rituals).
The temple will close at 10 pm on August 21 after the completion of the Chingam month pujas. It will reopen on August 24 for pujas connected with Onam.
Devotees wishing to visit Sabarimala during Chingam have been asked to book their darshan slots through the virtual queue website http://www.sabarimalaonline.org, the TDB added.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has made extensive travel arrangements from August 16 to 28 for Ayyappa devotees visiting Sabarimala during Chingam.
Special services to Pamba and back will operate from various KSRTC units, with services available from major centres such as Thiruvananthapuram, Chengannur, Pathanamthitta, Kottarakkara, Erumeli and Punalur, as required, the KSRTC said.
It has planned additional Nilakkal-Pamba chain services to facilitate the movement of pilgrims.
The Thiruvananthapuram Central depot has arranged booking of buses based on passenger demand. Additional services will be operated from nearby units as the pilgrim rush increases.
The corporation will monitor the rush and travel requirements and operate more services as needed, the statement added.
