Lord Ayyappa doors are now open for its devotees. The temple has been opened for the annual two months-long Mandala-Makaravillakku season and devotees will be allowed to visit this great shrine from today onwards.
The temple administration has taken all health and Coronavirus sanitisation precautions and protocols in action as the threat of the virus is still hovering.
Melshanti A K Sudheer Namboothiri on Sunday evening in the presence of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru opened the gates of the temple. Namboothiri had the lamps in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and no special puja was organised for the opening ceremony. From 16 November, the temple will remain open for 62 days for the pilgrimage.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, entry of pilgrims has been barred. About 1000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the deity on a single day. Pilgrims will have to provide a covid-19 negative certificate two days before reaching the Nilackkal and Pamba base camps. A Covid-19 testing booth has been installed by the temple administration for those pilgrims who would want to get tested at the temple venue and none will be permitted to stay at premises of the temple.
Amongst the first batch of pilgrims who trekked to worship Lord Ayaappaa, were visitors from outside the state of Kerala.
The police and temple authorities have been watching over people to ensure that covid-19 safety protocols like maintaining physical distance and wearing masks are followed and obeyed.
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Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), estimates that nearly 85000 devotees will visit the Sabarimala temple this season. Assuming the weekends to be crowded, the temple administration has decided to allow the entry of up to 2000 people on Saturdays and Sundays.
According to the Covid-19 protocols issued by the temple, only those pilgrims in the age group of 10 and 60 years will be allowed to visit the temple.