THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking the beginning of a pilgrim season, scaled-down due to Covid pandemic, the Sabarimala Temple opened for the annual Mandalakala-Makaravillakku festival on Sunday evening. Devotees will be allowed to visit the temple from Monday morning, while the Mandalapooja will be performed on 26 December. Melshanti (main priest) A.K. Sudheer Namboothiri opened the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum and lit the lamps at 5 pm in the presence of Chief Priest Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru.
