Sabarimala Temple

For many centuries Sabarimala in the south hasbeen an important pilgrim centre attracting lakhsof devotees from all over India, especially fromthe southern states. The presiding deity atSabarimala is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha,who is considered a symbol of unity between theVaishnavites and Saivites, his origin being tracedto a union of Siva and Vishnu under specialcircumstances. He is also believed to havefulfilled his mission in life and rejoined hisSupreme Self enshrined at Sabarimala. Somescholars say that Sastha images seen all overKerala are those of Lord Budha, but there areothers who dispute this theory.

The temple is situated in the interior of the mountainranges of the Western Ghats Sahyadri, and it isinaccessible except on foot. Pilgrims have tonegotiate long shelter of the thick forests andtall mountains in fested with all sorts of wildanimals.

Pilgrimage to Sabarimala cannot be undertaken atall seasons, because it requires long preparationand fixed timings. A devotee who wishes to performthe pilgrimage should undergo forty-one days 'Vritham' (penance) consisting of strict celibacy,morning and evening ablutions, growing of beardand daily prayers. Saranamvili or the call ofdedication and refuge in Lord Ayyappa is anessential part of the daily worship.

January 14, every year synchronising with the dayof Sankramom (crossing of the sun fromDhakshinayana to Uttarayana) is the most importantfestival day of the temple. On the above day,lakhs of pilgrim each called an Ayyappa (assumingthe very name of the Lord) flock to the shrine forworship. Here they see the Makara Vilakku theappearance of a spontaneous phenomenon of strangelight in the distance, indicating the presence ofgod, and return ennobled and strengthened inspirit. Situated not far from the Sabarimalatemple, there is a shrine in the name of Vavar, aMuslim of great valour, who was thought to be aclose associate of Sri, Ayyappa. It is a rarefeature of the pilgrimage to Sabarimala that theHindu pilgrim offer worship at this shrine ofVavar also during their trip, indicating thecommunal harmony that prevailed in Kerala forages. During the entire pilgrimage, alldistinctions of caste and class are forgotten

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