Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple Opens for Mithunam Maasa Pooja 2025
Sabarimala, Kerala – The revered Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple opened today, June 14, 2025, at 5 PM IST for the Mithunam Maasa Pooja, a significant monthly ritual dedicated to Bhagwan Ayyappa. The sanctum sanctorum was opened by Melshanthi S. Arunkumar Namboothiri in the presence of Tantri Kandararu Brahmadattan, and Keelshanthi Krishnan Potti.
The opening ceremony commenced with the lighting of a lamp in the Srikovil, followed by the Melshanthi descending the sacred 18 steps to kindle the fire in the Aazhi, the sacred fire pit near the temple. Devotees were then allowed to ascend the holy 18 steps to seek darshan of Bhagwan Ayyappa.
Concurrently, the Malikappuram Devi Temple was opened by its Melshanthi, Vasudevan Namboothiri, who performed the initial rituals and distributed offerings to devotees.
The temple will remain open for the Mithunam Maasa Pooja and will close at 10 PM on June 19, 2025, concluding the ceremonies with the sacred Harivarasanam.
Devotees are requested to follow temple guidelines, avoid plastic, and embrace the spiritual journey with devotion. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!