Pathanamthitta, Oct. 17 -- The Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple opened on Saturday for the Thulam month rituals, with Chief Minister V D Satheesan and several other dignitaries visiting the hill shrine to offer prayers.

In the presence of Tantri Kandar Brahmadathan, head priest Prasad E D opened the sanctum and lit the ceremonial lamp. The sacred fire was subsequently lit in the Aazhi, below the 18 holy steps.

Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar, Keralam State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar and MLAs Pazhakulam Madhu and C V Shanthakumar were among those who reached the Sannidhanam for darshan.

Despite heavy rainfall, thousands of devotees gathered at the shrine to seek the blessings of Lo...