SABARIMALA: After remaining closed for around 7 months, the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala reopened for the five-day monthly pujas on Friday. Devotees will be allowed entry from Saturday early morning.

At 5 pm, Melshanthi AK Sudheer Namboodiri opened the shrine and lit the lamp in presence of tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. Devaswom Board Members Adv N Vijayakumar, Adv KS Ravi and Commissioner BS Thirumeni were also present.

The draw for new melsanthis at Sabarimala and Malikapuram temples will take place on Saturday morning at 8 am. The draw will be held in the presence of Devaswom Board President Adv N Vasu, members Adv N Vijayakumar, Adv KS Ravi, Sabarimala Special Commissioner Manoj and Devaswom Commissioner BS Thirumeni.

As per COVID protocols, only 250 devotees will be allowed each day. The devotees will have to mandatorily produce COVID-19 negative certificates of tests conducted 48 hours prior to their visit.