The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will open on Wednesday for the five-days long monthly pujas, followed by the 10-days long annual festival.
Head priest P.N. Mahesh Namboothiri will open the temple in the presence of the Chief Priest (Tantri) Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu by 5 p.m. during the day. This will be followed by the opening of the various upadevata temples on the hillock. The devotees will be permitted to climb up the 18-holy steps soon afterwards.
The flag hoisting ceremony for the annual Painguni-Uthram festival will be held between 8.30 a.m and 9 a.m on March 16.