Sabarimala (Kerala), Oct 18 (UNI) The world-renowned Lord Ayyappa temple here opened for the monthly poojas marking the beginning of the Malayalam month of Thulam, with renewed grandeur following the reinstallation of gold-plated panels on the Dwarapalaka (door guardian) sculptures. The reopening comes close on the heels of the controversy over the alleged theft of gold from the temple. The temple was opened yesterday evening. The temple’s Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu and Melsanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri jointly led the opening rituals. The sanctum doors were opened at 4 pm, after which the Melsanthi lit the ceremonial lamp in the presence of the Tantri.
This was followed by the ritual lighting of the sacred fire at the base of the Pathinettam Padi (18 holy steps), symbolising the auspicious commencement of the Thulam month poojas. Around 4.30 pm, the process of reinstalling the newly restored gold-plated panels on the Dwarapalaka sculptures began under the supervision of the Tantri and in the presence of key officials, including Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President Adv. P. S. Prasanth, members Adv. A. Ajikumar and Adv. P. D. Santhosh Kumar, Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner R. Rajilal, Devaswom Vigilance SP Sunil Kumar (IPS), Executive Officer O. G. Biju, Administrative Officer Srinivas, and senior officers from the temple’s smithy and maintenance divisions.
Following the reinstallation, Shuddhi Poojas (purification rituals) were performed under the guidance of the Tantri. xAccording to the Travancore Devaswom Board, 12 gold-plated panels weighing a total of 22.833 kilograms had earlier been sent to Smart Creations, Chennai, for repair and electroplating. After restoration, the panels were returned with a combined weight of 22.876 kilograms, indicating a net increase of 9.702 grams of gold. The total gold quantity used rose from 281.200 grams to 290.902 grams.
The temple opened for devotees at 5 am today, marking the first day of the Thulam month. The draw to select the new Melsanthis (chief priests) for the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples will be held at 7 am today. The TDB has been under scrutiny following reports of irregularities in temple gold inventory, leading to the suspension of staff and the initiation of an internal audit. Officials said the reinstallation work and verification of the restored gold panels were carried out in strict compliance with the Board’s updated vigilance protocol.
The Thulam Poojas, one of the major monthly observances in Sabarimala’s annual ritual calendar, will continue under the supervision of the Tantri and the Travancore Devaswom Board, with all customary rites and offerings performed as per tradition. The reinstallation of the gold-plated Dwarapalaka panels completed amid visible administrative presence and heightened security is being seen as a symbolic reaffirmation of faith and institutional credibility at a time when the temple administration faces mounting public and political pressure to ensure accountability over its priceless treasures.
