India, Aug. 14 -- The famed Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala here will open on August 16 for Chingam month pujas, with the TDB and KSRTC making extensive arrangements for devotees.

Onam, the harvest festival, is celebrated during the auspicious Malayalam month of Chingam.

Thiruvonam, the most important day of the Onam festivities, falls on August 26 this year.

The temple will be opened at 5 pm on August 16 by melsanthi (head priest) Prasad E D in the presence of temple tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Brahmadathan.

The sacred fire will then be lit in the "aazhi" (holy fire pit) below the Pathinettam Padi (18 steps), the Travancore Devaswom Board said in a statement on Friday.

The temple will open for darshan at 5 am on August 17, the...