Sabarimala, the abode of Lord Ayyappa, located in the Western Ghats of India. Located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, Sabarimala is a famous temple of Lord Ayyappa which is very popular among South Indian devotees. Famous for Sabarimala pilgrimage, this temple is an important source of spiritual wealth.
Today we have invited in Dtours broadcasted by Inditel, Mr. Arvind Subramaniam, who is deeply associated with the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. He will give us detailed information about this temple and the Sabarimala pilgrimage. He has made many visits to Sabarimala in his life and has also published many books on it.
What is the meaning of the word Sabarimala?
In Tamil, Malayalam and many other Indian languages, the hunter is called Shabari or Sabari. Mala means hill. That is, Sabarimala literally means the hill of hunters. It is also said that this temple is named after a Yogini named Shabari who was a disciple of Sage Agastya. She was engaged in penance for a long time, waiting for Dev Shastha to appear in the form of Manikantha. Manikantha is considered to be the incarnation of Ayyappa Swami. Pleased with her penance, Lord Manikantha decided to reside on this hill and settle here permanently for the welfare of his devotees.
Brief History of Sabarimala
Universe mythology, Skanda Purana And Brahma Purana Manikanth or Ayyappa Swamy is considered to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Shastha.
Shastha is the son born from the union of Mahavishnu's Mohini avatar and Mahashiv. The Goddess had blessed Mahavishnu and Mahashiv to have a son. Hence, they got a son without getting pregnant.
There are eight incarnations of Shastha Bhagwan. In his last incarnation Shastha appears as Bhagwan Ayyappa who is a celibate. In the eighth incarnation Shastha is also called Manikantha because he wears a Navratna garland around his neck.
It is believed that Lord Ayyappa Swami remains in meditation throughout the year for the welfare of the devotees in Kaliyuga. He appears before the devotees on Sankranti and some other special days to bless his devotees. Apart from this, this temple remains closed for general visitors throughout the year.
Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala is also called Sabarigiri. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. Due to the presence of the Pampa river, this area is also called Kishkinda, although there are many arguments about the location of the Kishkinda area. Some consider it to be in Karnataka, while some consider it to be in Kerala.
There are 18 hills surrounding the main temple. In the middle of these hills is Mahayogpeeth where the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is located. It is believed that Maharishi Matanga performed severe penance in this area. Therefore, this area is also called Matanga forest.
The prescribed route of the Sabarimala pilgrimage has been described in the Puranas. The devotees who observe this 45-day Sabarimala pilgrimage fast have to follow strict celibacy and perform certain prescribed rituals and chanting etc. Their strict rules include sleeping on the ground, eating simple food, performing chanting, meditation etc., observing celibacy etc.
The devotees walk on foot across the Pampa River and Neel Parvat and reach Sabarimala. After reaching Sabaripeeth, the pilgrims climb the 18 holy steps called Tatva Shobhanam. Finally they reach the temple and have darshan of Lord Ayyappa.
This temple remains open for Mandala Pooja throughout the months of November, December and January. Thereafter, its doors are closed a few days after the Sankranti festival. At present, this temple remains open during the first five days of every month of the Tamil or Malayalam calendar. Devotees who have not taken the vow of Sabarimala pilgrimage can also have darshan of the Lord in the temple but they do not receive the prasad of Lord Ayyappa.
Rules for Sabarimala Pilgrimage
All the rules of Sabarimala pilgrimage are described in the Puranas. To complete this pilgrimage, it is necessary to follow those rules properly. The main purpose of visiting Sabarimala is to get free from the cycle of life and death and attain salvation.
Who can do this pilgrimage? Men of all age groups can do this pilgrimage. The rules are different for women. Since Lord Ayyappa is a brahmachari avatar, only girls below 10 years of age and women above 50 years of age can do this pilgrimage.
Devotees have to observe a minimum fast of 45 to 48 days before the Sabarimala pilgrimage. They can also extend this period if they wish. This fast is started from Karthigai or Karthika Poornima of the Hindu calendar which falls in the month of November. It is believed that on this day the Bhoomi Pujan ritual for the temple was performed. Hence, starting the fast during this period is considered extremely auspicious.
Before starting the fast, the devotee must seek refuge in a Guru. Only after being accepted by the Guru can a devotee begin this journey.
Celibacy
Strict observance of Brahmacharya Vrat is a must for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Under this Vrat, the devotee eats only one meal in the entire day. He performs three rituals of worship every day. During the entire Vrat period, he wears Vrat Mala (a garland of Tulsi) given by Guruswami.
The devotee is required to take a bath at least twice a day. He sleeps on the ground. These rules pertaining to the body are necessary, but rules pertaining to the mind are more important. The devotee must reach that state of mind where he desires the ultimate blessings of the Lord. Although the devotees of the Sabarimala Yatra are seen wearing black clothes during the entire fasting period, no such rule has been mentioned in the Puranas.
Irumudi
Irumudi is an important part of this pilgrimage. It is a bag with two compartments. The compartment in the front contains gifts and offerings to the Swami. The compartment in the back is for the devotees. Ghee is considered the most sacred material for performing Abhishekam rituals etc. For Abhishekam on the last day of the fast, ghee is filled inside a coconut and sealed. On reaching the temple, the coconut is broken and the ghee is offered to the Lord.
Ghee signifies the soul. Milk, curd, butter and other dairy products are perishable in nature. But pure ghee does not perish. Ghee signifies the eternal existence of the soul. Until salvation is attained, the soul keeps transmigrating from one body to another. Offering ghee to God through Abhisheka is in accordance with Atma Samarpan, i.e. complete surrender.
Sabarimala pilgrimage
There are two alternative routes for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. One of them is the traditional route which is longer. The other route is comparatively shorter.
Most devotees follow the ancient route which is longer. The length of this route is 40 miles. It usually takes 5 to 6 days to reach the destination through this route. The short route of the journey is about 5 km long which starts from the Pampa river. This route is open throughout the year for worshiping in the temple. The ancient long route is open only in the month of December.
For detailed information about Sabarimala pilgrimage and its spiritual benefits, listen: Detours Podcast with Aravind Subramaniam ,
All the photographs published in this edition have been provided by Shri Aurobindoji.
