Sabarimala, Kerala - The sacred Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple has thrown open its doors today, marking the commencement of 'Thula Masam' pooja, according to an announcement by the Travancore Devaswom website. The Travancore Board, functioning as an autonomous institution under the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act XV of 1950, manages this revered place of worship.

The 'Thula Masam' observance is a monthly prayer ceremony conducted in the 'Tulam' month, as per the Malayalam calendar. After a spiritually enriching period of monthly prayers, the temple will temporarily close its doors on the 22nd of October.

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam (SAASS) has revealed that the temple will reopen once again for the Sree Chithra Atta Thirunal pooja from the 10th to the 11th of November. Additionally, the highly anticipated Mandala Pooja Maholsavam will be observed from the 16th of November to the 27th of December.

In anticipation of the Thula Masam Puja, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is set to operate special bus services from the 18th to the 22nd of October. These buses will provide convenient access to Sabarimala, departing from key locations such as Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottarakkara, Erumeli, and Chengannur.

It is noteworthy that last month, amidst the Nipah virus outbreak in the state, the Kerala High Court issued a directive to the state government, urging them to release an advisory for Sabarimala pilgrims. The court order specified, "The Special Commissioner has submitted a report recommending the issuance of advisories, as necessary, in light of the recent Nipah Virus outbreak in Kozhikode District, as Sabarimala Temple prepares to welcome devotees for the Kannimasa Pooja from the 17th of September, 2023, to the 22nd of September, 2023."

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