Sabarimala temple opens for Chingam pujas, heavy turnout

The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala opened on August 16 for the Chingam month pujas, marking the Malayalam New Year. Hundreds of devotees gathered from early morning for darshan, which began at 5 am on August 17, Hindustan Times and India Today report. The temple will remain open until 10 pm on August 21 for Chingam rituals and will reopen on August 24 for Onam pujas. Thiruvonam, the main Onam day, falls on August 26.

Melsanthi Prasad E D opened the temple in the presence of tantri Kandararu Brahmadathan. The sacred fire was lit in the "aazhi" below the Pathinettam Padi. The selection of the Sabarimala ulkazhakam, who assists the melsanthi, will follow the usha puja on August 17. The Travancore Devaswom Board advises devotees to book darshan slots through the virtual queue website.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has arranged additional bus services from August 16 to 28. Special services to Pamba and back will operate from major centres including Thiruvananthapuram, Chengannur, and Pathanamthitta, as needed. The corporation will monitor the rush and deploy more services based on demand, it said.