Sabarimala temple fest from March 26

PATHANAMTHITTA: The annual 10-day festival of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple will begin on March 27 and the hill shrine will open on March 26 evening.Kodiyettu ceremony, marking the beginning of the festival, will be conducted under the leadership of Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu between 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on March 27 in the presence of Melsanthi G Balamurali. Utsavabali, one of important rituals held during the annual festival days for the Hill Gods of Lord Ayyappa, would be held at 11 a.m. on all seven days from March 28, Sabarimala Devaswom executive officer M Satheeshkumar said.The devotees would be allowed Utsavabali darsan after the ritual at 2 pm.