Amid heavy security, the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, opened on Sunday evening for 21-day "Makaravilakku" festival. The temple, which had witnessed frenzied protests from devotees over the entry of women of menstruating age, had closed on December-27, marking the culmination of 41-day annual Mandala puja festivities. There was a heavy rush of Ayyappa devotees when the shrine opened at 5 pm.