Pathanamthitta, July 18, 2013: The five-day rituals in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom began at the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on Wednesday.

The head priest opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5 a.m. on Wednesday and the rituals began with the chief priest performing the Ashtadravya Ganapati homom.

The Sahasrakalasapuja and Brahamakalasapuja were performed at the Northern Mandapam and the Namaskara Mandapam for the Sahasrakalasabhishekom and Kalabhabhishekom in the forenoon. Sahasrakalasabhishekom and Kalabhabhishekom were performed prior to the Utchapuja.All rituals will be performed on all the five days. The monthly rituals will come to a close with the Athazhapuja on July 21.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 18, 2013.