SABARIMALA: Many pujas at Sabarimala are under strict control this time. The puja items offered by devotees will not be accepted at the sreekovil. Most important of these are the pushpabhishekam, udayada charthu at Malikappuram Temple and Kunkumabhishekam.

Padipooja is one of the most sacred and expensive puja in Sabarimala. The rate for it Rs 75,000. The padipooja is performed by the Sabarimala tantri. There are bookings for padipooja till 2037. Earlier, the puja was performed only once in twelve years but now is performed during the pilgrimage season and when the temple is opened for monthly pujas and in other days. This puja lasts for more than an hour before athazhapuja. All other pujas of the temple will be stopped at this time. 30 lamps, 18 coconuts, 18 kalashavasthrangal and 18 flower garlands are needed for the padipuja.

Monthly pujas and 60 padipujas and udayasthamana pujas supposed to be held during festivals and Vishu could not be performed in the last eight months due to the pandemic. Though padipuja resumed during the month of Thulam, only one of the five booked arrived. Due to that, some other devotees got the chance to perform it. The devaswom board has started issuing the booking list to the concerned.

Ten people can perform Ashtabhishekam a day using the materials provided by devaswom board. An amount of Rs 10,000 should be paid. There is permission to perform ushapuja, uchchapuja and nityapuja. But darshan is not allowed in Sopanam. Earlier five devotees were permitted there.