The transition of leadership was completed in the evening with the installation ceremony of the new Melsanthi, E D Prasad Nampoothiri. The ritual, led by the Thantri, included performing kalasabhishekam and administering the moolantram. The new Melsanthi will commence his one-year term on Monday morning when he opens the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at 3:00 AM.
The opening day witnessed an immediate surge in crowds. While 39,000 virtual queue passes and 20,000 spot passes were issued to restrict initial entry, the main walkway (Valiyanadapandal) was fully packed, with the queue stretching back near Saramkuthi.
Daily Capacity and Arrangements
From Monday onward, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will allow a total of 90,000 devotees per day, consisting of 70,000 online bookings and 20,000 spot registrations.
To accommodate the massive influx, the temple will operate for 18 hours daily in two phases: from 3:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
TDB President K. Jayakumar, a former bureaucrat who recently took charge, assured the media that all necessary arrangements, including the uninterrupted supply of drinking water along the trekking paths, have been completed. “The pilgrimage should go on smoothly without any difficulties for devotees,” he stated. (TNIE)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
