The Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala reopened on Sunday
amidst the widespread of corornavirus in the country. The temple was opened for
the monthly five-day puja (prayer)
for the Malayalam month of Chingam, which begins on Monday, reported news agency ANI.

However, in view
of the pandemic, the bar on devotees entry will continue, but the usual rituals
will be conducted. After the five-day prayer, the temple will close on August 21.

The Travancore Dewasom Board (TDB) had earlier decided to
open all temples under its umbrella from August 17, except Sabarimala.

Also, when the temple opens for the over two
month-long pilgrim season from November 16, the devotees will be allowed entry
only through a virtual queue system. The devotees
visiting the temple will have to carry the COVID-19 negative certificates for
the darshan.

Also read: Sabarimala case explained: Protests, Supreme Court verdict and why women were barred

The decisions in this regard were taken at an online meeting chaired by Kadakampally Surendran on August 10. He is the
minister for Co-Operation, Tourism and Devaswom in Kerala.

“The devotees will have to carry COVID-19 negative
certificates for darshan”, a release quoting the minister said.

The meeting was held to assess various arrangements before
the start of the festival, which will be held strictly on the basis of COVID-19
protocols. N Vasu, President of the Travancore Devaswom Board,
which manages the hill shrine, also attended the meeting.

The pilgrim season this time has thrown up a big challenge due to the pandemic. In the meeting, it was decided that the COVID-19
protocol would be strictly followed and few pilgrims would be allowed for darshan this year.

The Sabarimala temple will
also open for Onam on August 29 and will remain open till September 2.