Sabarimala Temple to Open on November 6 for Chithira Attathirunal; Special Poojas on November 7
PATHANAMTHITTA: The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple will open on November 6 at 5 PM for the Chithira Attathirunal celebrations, with special poojas scheduled for November 7.
Chithira Attathirunal is observed at Sabarimala to mark the birth anniversary of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former Maharaja of Travancore.
Virtual Queue darshan bookings and accommodation slots for the Chithira Attathirunal celebrations are expected to be released soon.
On the opening day, in the presence of Thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan, Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri will open the sanctum sanctorum and light the ceremonial lamp. He will then descend the Pathinettam Padi along with Keezhsanthi B. Ganesh Prasad and light the sacred fire in the homa kundam at the lower temple courtyard.
Following the opening of the Sabarimala shrine, Malikappuram Melsanthi M.G. Manu Namboothiri will open the Malikappuram Devi Temple. No special poojas will be held on the opening evening.
Special Poojas on November 7
The main ritual of Chithira Attathirunal will be the Neyyabhishekam using ghee brought from Kowdiar Palace.
The day's rituals will begin with Nirmalya Darshanam and the regular Abhishekam, followed by Maha Ganapathi Homam at 5:30 AM. Neyyabhishekam will continue until 11 AM, while Usha Pooja will be held at 7:30 AM and Ucha Pooja at 12:30 PM.
The temple will close at 1 PM and reopen at 5 PM. After the evening rituals, the shrine will close at 10 PM on November 7 following Harivarasanam.
Temples to Reopen on November 16; New Melsanthis to Take Charge
The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple and Malikappuram Devi Temple will reopen at 5 PM on November 16 for the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
At Sabarimala, Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri will open the sanctum sanctorum, while Malikappuram Melsanthi M.G. Manu Namboothiri will open the Malikappuram Devi Temple. The opening will mark the completion of their one-year tenure as Melsanthis of the respective temples.
Following the opening, Arimkara Subramanyan Sankaran Namboothiri will take charge as the new Melsanthi (Chief Priest) of the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple for the 2026–27 term.
At Malikappuram Devi Temple, A. Damodaran Namboothiri of Ayadathillam will take charge as the new Melsanthi for the 2026–27 term.
The installation ceremonies of the new Melsanthis will be conducted under the guidance of the Thantri.
Devotees can visit the temple by booking darshan slots through the Virtual Queue system. Spot booking facilities will also be available at Pampa.