Sabarimala Temple Opened for July Karkkidakam masa Pooja
Sabarimala, July 16: The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple was opened on Thursday evening for the monthly Karkkidakam pooja rituals, marking the beginning of a spiritually significant period for devotees.
At 5:00 PM, in the presence of Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanar, Melsanthi E.D. Prasad opened the sanctum sanctorum and lit the ceremonial lamp. The sacred fire ritual was then performed at the Aazhi below the revered Pathinettam Padi (18 Holy Steps). Subsequently, the Malikappuram shrine was opened by Malikappuram Melshanti M.G. Manu Namboothiri.
The temple will reopen for devotees at 5:00 AM on July 17, the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam, for darshan. During the monthly pooja period, Padi Pooja will be conducted daily on the 18 Holy Steps after Sandhya Deeparadhana. The temple is scheduled to close at 10:00 PM on July 21 after the completion of the Karkkidakam rituals.
Virtual Queue bookings for July remain open, enabling devotees to reserve darshan slots in advance. Accommodation at Sannidhanam is also available through the Travancore Devaswom Board's online booking system.
The Devaswom Board has arranged free Annadhanam at Pampa and Sabarimala Sannidhanam, along with affordable accommodation and luggage deposit facilities for pilgrims undertaking the trek.
As part of the safety measures for the Karkkidakam pilgrimage, police have started distributing safety bands to children accompanying devotees. The bands carry the mobile number of a parent or guardian and are being issued at the Police Check Post located after the Pampa Ganapathi Temple and before the Neelimala trekking path. The initiative is intended to help authorities quickly reunite children with their families if they become separated in the crowd. Devotees travelling with children have been requested to ensure that the safety bands are collected and worn before proceeding with the pilgrimage.
Major rituals during the monthly pooja include Neyyabhishekam, Usha Pooja, Ucha Pooja, Ashta Abhishekam, Pushpabhishekam, Udayasthamana Pooja, and Padi Pooja.
With the monsoon season underway, devotees have been advised to carry raincoats or umbrellas, avoid the use of plastic, and follow eco-friendly practices to help protect the forest ecosystem surrounding the hill shrine. Medical facilities remain operational at Pampa and Sannidhanam, while enhanced security measures, including baggage screening and identity verification, are in place.
Authorities have also reiterated the strict ban on polythene bags in Irumudi bundles, urging pilgrims to use traditional cloth bags and other environmentally friendly alternatives.
As devotees arrive for the Karkkidakam monthly pooja, temple authorities have urged pilgrims to follow the prescribed guidelines, maintain cleanliness, and uphold the sanctity of the sacred pilgrimage.