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Sabarimala Temple nestled in the thick forests of the Sabari hills of the Western Ghats range at an altitude of 914 m above sea level, this hill shrine is dedicated to Lord Sree Ayyappan. The temple draws over fifty million pilgrims a year. The shrine will be teeming with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku, Arattu and Vishuvilakku are among the important occasions at the temple. The temple is open on the afore-mentioned occasions and on the first five days of every Malayalam month. This year, the annual ten-day festival will start on 2nd April with Kodiyettu (ritualistic flag hoisting) and would end with Arattu on 11th April. Vishuvilakku, another important occasion falls on 14th April, this year. The Sabarimala festival is celebrated during the months of November-January. The Sabarimala temple festival of Kerala is celebrated in the honor of Lord Ayappa. Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrimage in Kerala and is famous all over the world. In Kerala, Sabarimala festival is attended by thousands of devotees who cover huge distances to reach the holy shrine. The Sabarimala temple is located atop a rugged hill in the Western Ghats. The devotees throng the temple in thousands. They walk barefoot through forests and uneven paths to reach the temple. All devotes observe strict fast and devote themselves purely to God for 40 days before taking on the trip. They do not shave, eat selected food, stay away from vices like smoking and drinking, sleep on the floor, stay away from women and family and wear a black cloth around their waist as a symbol of going to the temple. While climbing, all devotees visiting the temple are supposed to carry an offering of coconuts, camphor, ghee and rice. On the way to the temple, there is a river where the devotees are supposed to take a dip. It is said that people who take a dip in this river while going to Sabarimala are cleansed of all their sins. Also, devotees are supposed to pay a visit to a temple dedicated to a Muslim God, who is supposed to be a close friend of Lord Ayappa. On the day of Makara Sankranti, a glowing speck of light is spotted on the hill just opposite the temple. This glowing flame is supposed to be very auspicious and devotees break into thunderous chanting of Lord's name on seeing this flame. Women (under the age of 50) are not allowed in the temple. Makara Vilakku Pooja is a seven-day festival conducted annually in the famous Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala. The festival begins on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi, the day on which the sun is in summer solstice (vernal equinox). This is also the first day of the Malayalese month of Makaram. Makara Vilakku Pooja commemorates the day on which idol of Lord Ayyappa or Dharma Sastha was enshrined in the temple and is the most important event to be conducted at Sabarimala. Thousands of devotees gather to participate in the celebrations of Makara Vilakku every year. Mandala Pooja festival extends to 41 days prior to Makara Sankranthi. During the seven days celebration the jewellery of the deity is brought from Pandalam. On the day of Makara Vilakku or Makara Sakranthi lord Ayyappa is decorated with all the ancient ornaments made in gold. The enshrining of the deity is the most important event of the Sabrimala festival in Kerala. The festival then is followed by a procession of people towards hill of the Sahyadri ranges of Western Ghats to witness the celestial light that appears on this day. This light known as the Makarajyothi, on the hill is believed to be the symbol of lord Ayyapa’s blessing to his devotees. Getting there: |
Location info: |
Address: Pathanamthitta,Kearala |
District: Pathanamthitta district |
Nearest City: Pathanamthitta |
Best time to visit: November to January |
History: |
Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala is the most sacred pilgrimage centre for the people of Kerala. Presiding deity of Sabarimala shrine is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. This is so because, Ayappan is said to be born of union between Lord Vishnu and Shiva when the former took the avatar of Mohini, the seductress. Shiva succumbed to the charms of Mohini and Ayappa was born out of this union. Hence Ayappa is also called 'Hari Hara Putra' where 'Hari' is Vishnu, 'Hara' is Shiva and 'Putra' means son. No wonder, Sabarimala attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country particularly, southern states of India every year. The story behind this temple has it that when Lord Vishnu took the form of the enchantress Mohini to destroy the demon Bhasmasura, Lord Shiva was enamored by this celestial femininity. Their divine union resulted in the birth of Ayappa. The Lord Shiva entrusted the child Ayappa (also called Manikandan because of the bell tied around his throat) to the Pandya King Rajasekara. He benevolent king brought up the divine child as his eldest son, and declared him Crown Prince when he was 12 years old. The Queen however, had evil intents. Wanting her own son to be crowned, she feigned an incurable headache. The queen let Prince Manikandan know that her condition could only be cured if the prince returned with a tigress’ milk. The obedient son let home. Lord Ayappan in the course of his mission is known to have fought and slain demoness Mahishi. The Devas or celestial beings turned into tigers and tigress and accompanied the young prince to show their gratitude. The sight of a twelve year old child riding a tiger and accompanied by an ambush of tigresses shamed the royal couple who sought forgiveness. After blessing his foster parents, the lord prepared to return to his heavenly abode when the king begged him to remain in the Pandya kingdom. Lord Ayappa granted the king’s boon and agreed to reside in the temple built by the king on the Sabari hills. He also conceded to appear in the form of a star (Makara Jyothi) on the Festival of Makara Sankaranthi. It is hence believed that the ancient temple of Sabarimala, with the sacred 18 steps was built under the orders of King Rajasekara. |
Interesting things to do: |
Interesting things to Visit: |
Pandalam: Pampa Maha Ganapathi Temple: Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple: Cherukolpuzha: Malikapurathamma Temple: Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls: Niranam: Konni (Elephant Training Center): Aranmula Boat Race: Parumala: |
Mobile range info: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station: Police Station Police station |
Nearest Hospital: Poyyanil Hospital Government Hospital Changethu Bhaskaran Nair Memorial Hospital BODHI HOMOEOPATHY Muthoot Medical Centre |
Society/Community Phone Number |
Useful Links: |
http://hottest-blogs.blogspot.com/2009/07/sabarimala-temple.html http://keralatourismblogs.blogspot.com/2009/07/sabarimala-sri-dharmasastha-temple.html |