The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Keralam opened this evening the Thulam monthly poojas. Despite torrential rain, thousands of devotees gathered at the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan and other dignitaries visited Sabarimala today to offer prayers. The temple will open for darshan at 5 am tomorrow, the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam. The draw of lots to select the new melsanthis of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples will be held tomorrow morning. The temple will close at 10 pm on October 22, marking the conclusion of the monthly poojas.