Pathanamthitta (Kerala): The Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, located deep within the forest of this district, will reopen for its monthly rituals on October 17, the Travancore Devaswom Board announced on Wednesday.

The ceremony will begin at 4 pm on Friday, when the chief priest Arun Kumar Namboothiri will open the temple doors and light the ceremonial lamp in the presence of head priest Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru, the board stated.

From 5 am on October 18, the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam, the temple will open for darshan (viewing of the deity), it added.

On the same morning, the draw to select the Melshanthies (chief priests) for the coming year for the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples will be conducted at the Sannidhanam (temple complex).

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the hill shrine for darshan on October 22, the final day of the monthly rituals, the statement said.

The Travancore Devaswom Board has already begun preparations to welcome President Murmu, and in view of her visit, restrictions will be imposed on devotees on October 22.

The Sree Chithira Attathirunal festival will be celebrated at the Sannidhanam on October 21, it added.

The Sabarimala temple is reopening for its monthly poojas amid ongoing political controversy over alleged irregularities in the gold plating of the temple.

PTI