SANNIDHANAM: The Sabarimala nada has been opened, marking the beginning of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage. The ordaining of the new melshanthis of Sabarimala and Malikappuram will be completed soon. Melsanthi VN Mahesh Namboothiri opened the nada in the presence of tantris Kandararu Rajeevaru and his son Kandararu Brahmadathan and lit the lamp at Sreelakam. Melsanthi then descended the Pathinettampady (holy 18 steps) and lit the fire in the homakundam.

The designated Sabarimala melshanthi, who was waiting in the thirumuttam near the Pathinettampady with irumudikattu, took Arun Kumar Namboothiri and Malikappuram melsanthi Vasudevan Namboothiri by the hand and led them through the Pathinettampady to Sopanam. After the bhagavath darshan, Arun Kumar Namboothiri will be seated in the sopanam to perform kalashabhishekam and then tantri will hold his hand and take him inside the sanctum sanctorum. Arun Kumar Namboothiri will be seated near the idol of Lord Ayyappa and the moola mantra will be recited in his ear. Vasudevan Namboothiri will also be installed as Melsanthi in Malikappuram temple in a similar manner.

Sannidhanam Melsanthi VN Mahesh Namboothiri and Malikappuram Melsanthi PG Murali, who were the 'resident priests' (Purappeda Shanthis) for the last one year, will close the nada at 10 pm and descend the Pathinettampady and return to their homes. The Sannidhanam, Malikappuram nadas will be opened by the new melsanthis at 3 am tomorrow.

Devotees were allowed to enter sannidhanam from 1 pm today. Around 30,000 pilgrims have booked online for darshan today. The nada will be closed on December 26 after mandala pooja. The nada will be opened on December 30 at 5 pm for Makaravilakku. Makaravilakku is on January 14. The nada will be closed on January 20 to mark the conclusion of the pilgrimage.