Amid tight security, devotees of Lord Ayyappa on Monday began the trek from Nilakkal base camp to the hill shrine of Sabarimala ahead of the temple's opening this evening. Devotees were seen trekking up the hill while chanting hymns in praise of the deity. After the special 'Athazha Puja', the temple will be closed on Tuesday evening.

Nilakkal base camp in-charge Manjunath H told ANI, "There is adequate police deployment here. We are not restricting the movement of devotees." In the wake of violent protests during the last monthly pooja, the state police have issued prohibitory orders at Pamba, Nilakkal and other areas near the shrine and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards the temple.