The annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage kicked off on 16 November after Melshanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri opened the Sabarimala sanctum sanctorum at 5 PM for the Vrischikam rituals.

On Sunday, newly appointed Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar visited Sabarimala Sannidhanam with other officials. The opening ceremony was also attended by Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru. "ED Prasad will assume charge as the new Melshanthi (chief priest) of Sabarimala, and M G Manu will take charge as the Melshanthi of Malikappuram," officials informed ANI .

Chants of Ayyappa reverberated the temple premises as current melshanthi Arun kumar Namboothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum. Following the opening, Melshanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri descended the 18 sacred steps to light the Aazhi u

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