Sabarimala, Aug. 16 -- The world-famous Lord Ayyappa temple here will open this evening for the five-day pujas of the Malayalam month of Chingam (August 17-21), coinciding with the Onam festival in Kerala.
The sanctum sanctorum will be opened in the presence of Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru, with Melshanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri lighting the sacred lamp.
On Chingam 1 (August 17), the temple will open at 5 am. After the Usha Pooja at 7.30 am, the draw for the selection of the Sabarimala Keezhshanthi will be held in front of the sanctum, under the supervision of Devaswom Commissioner B. Sunil Kumar.
At 9 am, the draw for the selection of the Melshanthi of the Pampa Ganapathi temple will also take place.
The temple will remain open to...