The shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala opened Thursday for the 'Makaravilakku festival.
Head priest Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru will open the sanctum sanctorum at 4 am on Friday when pilgrims will start arriving for darshan.
Neyyabhishekam ritual will be held until 11.30 am, informed the Devaswom.
The Erumeli petta-thullal will be held on January 11 and the procession carrying the deity's 'thiruvabharanam' will leave the Pandalam Palace the next day.
Traditional path to open Friday
The traditional path to Sabarimala from Erumeli will be opened for pilgrims on Friday.
The 35 km stretch via Karimala will permit 10,000 pilgrims a day. According to officials, eight camps have been set up en route for pilgrims to rest. Besides, 90 shops run by eco-development committees and makeshift hospitals at Karimala and Mukkuzhi will be operational.
Pilgrims will be allowed to enter the traditional path from Erumeli between 5.30-10.30 am and from Azhuthakadavu, Mukkuzhi regions between 7 am and 12 noon.
The pilgrims have to book their pilgrimage by the traditional path via virtual queue system. For those who haven't booked, spot booking facility will be available at Erumeli.
