Sabarimala (Kerala), Oct. 18 -- The world-renowned Lord Ayyappa temple here opened for the monthly poojas marking the beginning of the Malayalam month of Thulam, with renewed grandeur following the reinstallation of gold-plated panels on the Dwarapalaka (door guardian) sculptures. The reopening comes close on the heels of the controversy over the alleged theft of gold from the temple. The temple was opened yesterday evening. The temple's Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu and Melsanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri jointly led the opening rituals. The sanctum doors were opened at 4 pm, after which the Melsanthi lit the ceremonial lamp in the presence of the Tantri.
This was followed by the ritual lighting of the sacred fire at the base of the Pat...