Nestled in the lush embrace of the Western Ghats of Kerala, the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple stands as a beacon of faith, attracting millions of devotees every year. The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa holds a unique position as a sacred place for people of all faiths, reflecting the principles of equality and spiritual harmony. The Sabarimala temple hosts several important events throughout the year, each with its own religious and cultural significance. The primary pilgrimage period is from November to January, which includes the Mandala Puja and Makaravilakku festivals. The largest crowd of devotees also occurs during this season.
Table of Content
- Lord Ayyappa
- Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
- Significance of Sabarimala Temple
- Pilgrimage Route
- Conclusion
Lord Ayyappa
Lord Ayyappa, also known as Dharma Sastha or Manikandan, is a revered Hindu deity, worshipped mainly in South India, especially in the state of Kerala.
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Lord Ayyappa is the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini (female incarnation of Vishnu). Lord Ayyappa symbolizes the union of Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Due to this unique parentage, he also has other names such as “Hariharasutan“, which means son of Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva). It is believed that Ayyappa is a form of Shastha.
Origin and Mythology
There are several versions of the story of Lord Ayyappa’s origin. A popular legend states that he was born to fulfill a divine purpose: to defeat the demoness Mahishi. Mahishi had been blessed with a boon that she could only be killed by the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu. To facilitate this, Vishnu took the form of Mohini and their union resulted in the birth of Ayyappa.
Another version depicts him as an infant named Manikandan by King Rajasekhara of the Pandalam dynasty of Kerala. The king found the child in the forest with a bell (mani) around his neck (kanda), hence his name. Manikandan demonstrated extraordinary abilities and eventually revealed his divine identity before disappearing into the Sabarimala temple.
Tradition generally depicts Lord Ayyappa as a young and heroic man. Devotees worship him as the god of truth, righteousness, self-discipline, and celibacy. According to his iconography, Lord Ayyappa sits on a tiger holding a bow and arrow in his hands. He is depicted in a yoga posture and wearing a bell around his neck.
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
The most famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is located on the top of the Sabarimala hill within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, India. Nestled in the greenery of the Western Ghats of Kerala, the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is a symbol of faith, attracting millions of devotees every year, especially from South India. This temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is a sacred place for Hindus, whose rituals reflect the principles of spiritual consciousness and ancient wisdom. All the rules are followed very sincerely in this temple, which makes it synonymous with religious purity. Here centuries-old traditions are being followed continuously from generation to generation.
The Sabarimala temple complex also includes the Pampa Ganapathi Temple, the Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple, and the Palliyarakkavu Devi Temple, apart from the main Ayyappa temple.
Sabarimala literally means “Hill of Sabari (Shabari).” The Ramayana mentions Shabari as a tribal devotee of Rama.
Key Points and Specific Criteria
Here are some other basic details about Sabarimala Temple:
- Location: The temple is located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is situated on a hilltop in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats.
- Managing Trust: The temple is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
- Deity: Lord Ayyappa (also known as Dharma Shasta)
- Other Names of Temple:
- Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
- Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan Temple
- Pilgrimage Season: The main pilgrimage season is during the Mandala Makaravilakku period (mid-November to mid-January).
- Major Festivals: Makaravilakku, Mandala Pooja, Vishu Mahotsavam.
- Unique Customs:
- The 41-day strict penance (Vratham) devotees undertake before the pilgrimage.
- The carrying of the “Irumudikettu” (sacred offering bundle) on the head.
- The chanting of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”.
- Temple Timings: The temple is open for darshan only on specific days and times and is not open throughout the year like other temples.
- Dress Code: The traditional attire worn by pilgrims (blue, black, or saffron).
- Prasadam: The sacred offerings like Aravana Payasam and Unniyappam.
- Restrictions on the entry of women of menstruating age (typically between 10 and 50 years).
Significance of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
The pilgrimage to this temple is a testament to India’s spiritual traditions and the unwavering faith of the people in it. Many unique customs adorn the temple. The journey to Sabarimala is physically difficult, often involving traversing through dense forests. The temple opens only during specific times of the year, mainly during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season (November to mid-January) and for a few days every month.
According to temple practices, the temple prohibits women between the ages of 10 and 50 from entering the temple premises. Sabarimala has also been a subject of social discussion due to historical restrictions on the entry of women of menstrual age. Although the Supreme Court of India has ruled against this practice, the issue continues to be a matter of debate in society.
Despite these discussions, the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple remains a powerful symbol of faith and devotion, attracting millions of pilgrims every year who seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa in his serene forest abode
Pilgrimage Route
Before starting their journey pilgrims arrive at the banks of the Pamba River and take a ritual bath as a form of purification. The trek from the Pamba River to the temple is about 46 kilometres (29 mi) through hilly terrain and dense forests. From the Pamba River all pilgrims start trekking towards Sabarimala through the steep hill path of the Neelimala. (The Neelimala route is a shorter, 5-kilometer trek from Pamba to Sabarimala.) The route is now properly paved, emergency medical aid is available on the slopes and banks, and pilgrims are assisted in climbing the steep slopes, which earlier used to be an inaccessible route through dense forest. Facilities are available for elderly pilgrims to be carried to the temple on bamboo chairs by men, for which they have to pay.
The Pamba River is considered extremely sacred by devotees of Lord Ayyappa. It is often referred to as “Dakshina Ganga” (Ganges of the South) due to its religious significance. The traditional journey used to start from the banks of the Pamba River. Over time, due to development of infrastructure and changes in trekking routes, many pilgrims have slightly changed the starting point as per their convenience. However, the Pamba River still remains an important and highly revered place in the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Conclusion
Worship of Lord Ayyappa brings blessings, prosperity and protection to his devotees. Devotees consider him to be the last and only God belonging to the current Kali Yuga (the current age in Hindu cosmology). The story and worship of Lord Ayyappa highlights the syncretistic traditions within Hinduism, which combine the worship of Shiva and Vishnu. He remains a powerful symbol of faith and devotion for millions of people in India and beyond.
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