KERALA NEWS

Lord Ayyappa Temple opens for 'Vishu' festival
Pathanamthitta, April 11, 2005

The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala was opened for the annual ''Vishu'' festival, to be celebrated on April 14.

Melasanthi V Muraleedharan Nampoothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum and lit the ceremonial lamps in the presence of tantri Kantararu Mohanaru.

While customary Poojas like Udayasthamana Pooja, Padi pooja and Neyyabhishekam will commence early tomorrow morning, the Sahasrakala Pooja will begin at Sannidhanam, at a specially constructed platform, in the evening.

In view of heavy influx of pilgrims during the eight-day Vishu festival, elaborate arrangements have been made at Pampa and Sannidhanam. KSRTC has started special services to Pampa from Pathanamthitta, Chenganoor, Kottayam, Erumeli, Kumali, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam.

Devaswam special officers have also been posted at Pampa and Sannidhanam alongwith 400 other employees.