Lord Ayyappa devotees on Monday began the trek from base camps to Sabarimala ahead of the opening of the temple for special puja. The temple will open today evening and will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening.
This is the second time the hill temple would open for 'darshan' after the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of all age groups into it.
The shrine would open at 5 pm Monday for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" special puja slated for the next day, marking the birthday of last king of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.
Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and chief priest Unnikrishnan Namboodiri would jointly open the temple doors and light the lamp at the 'Sreekovil' (sanctum sanctorum).
Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said the Kerala government would ensure complete protection to believers.
A thick security cover has been put in place after violent protests were witnessed last month against entry of women of all ages into the shrine.
Orders banning assembly of four or more people have been imposed in Sabarimala and nearby areas, police said Sunday.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc, banning assembly of four or more people, is in force at Pamba, Nilackal, Elavungal, and Sannidhanam for 72 hours from midnight Saturday.
Around 2,300 personnel, including a 20-member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed to ensure smooth 'darshan' and security of devotees, a move that came in for criticism from the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, the BJP and the Congress for such fortification.
If necessary, around 30 women police personnel in the rank of circle inspector and sub inspector and above the age of 50 would be deployed at 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex) for security, they said.
Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police T Narayanan told PTI that all arrangements have been made for devotees to have smooth 'darshan.'
The temple had witnessed high drama last month following frenzied protests leading to around a dozen women in the age group of 10-50 being prevented from reaching it and police and the agitators fighting a pitched battle over the LDF government's decision to implement the court order.
BJP and various Hindu outfits are on a warpath against the Left-front government over its decision not to seek a review of the top court verdict.
(With PTI inputs)
