SABARIMALA: Lakhs of devotes will climb the holy hills of Sabarimala on Monday to bow before the celestial light( Makarajyothi) which is bound to appear above the Ponnambalamedu mountains. On the special occasion, Lord Ayyappa will be brightened up in Thiruvabharanam, the sacred ornaments.

The holy shrine will open as early as 2 am on Monday as part of the Makaravilakku Pooja. Makara Sankrama Pooja will take place at 2:46 am. Abhishekam will be performed on Lord Ayyappa, in coconut oil, specially brought from Kowdiar palace.

The temple will be opened again at 5:30 pm. The Thiruvabharanam procession will be received ceremonially at Saramkuthi. Devaswom Minister K.Radhakrishnan, Devaswom Board President P.S.Prasanth, members Adv.A.Ajikumar and G.Sundaresan will receive the Thiruvabharanam casket at the revered Kodimaram(flagpole) premises at 6.15 p.m.

The casket brought in front of the shrine will be received by Thanthri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Melshanti PN Mahesh Namboothiri, and will be taken to the shrine. At 6:30 pm, the Deeparadhana ritual will take place with lord Ayyappa shrouded in the sacred ornaments. At the same time, the celestial light will appear across the Ponnambalamedu, amidst reverberating chants of ‘Saranam Ayyappa’.

Till January 18, devotees will be able to see Lord Ayyappa embellished in all sacred ornaments. Neyabhishekam will be available till January 19th. On the 19th, a procession will be held from Manimandapam to Saramkuthi. The devotees will be allowed Darshan till 20th January night when the temple closes down with hymns of Harivarasanam.