Sabarimala

Sabarimala temple located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demons, Mahishi. Lord Ayyappan’s temple is situated here amidst of 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 914m above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests.

The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a singular example of one where pilgrims, without consideration of religion, caste, creed, position or social status, go with one aim, one desire and one mantra that are Lord Ayyappa.  However no female between the age group of 10 – 50 are allowed to enter the temple. Among many other reasons the fact that core story attributed to Lord Ayyappa prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. This is because Ayyappan is a Bramachari.

Pamba River is the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala. Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river Pamba.  River Pamba is considered as the Dakshina Ganga due to its association with Kerala’s Largest Pilgrim Centre – Sabarimala.

Vratham (Penance)

The devotees follow a vratham (41-day penance) prior to the pilgrimage. Devotees wearing of a special Mala (A garland made of Rudraksha or Tulasi beads). Then they are to refrain from meat, fish, alcohol, tobacco, sex, using foul words, refrain from hair cut and shaving. Devotees visit the local temples regularly and wear plain black, blue or saffron colored traditional clothing.

41 days vratha

• Devotees won’t wear chappal (will help us to be prepare to walk in the forest & mountain without chappals).
• Devotees wear only black or dark blue dress during vratha period. (will help us to escape from animals during our night stay at jungle)
• Devlotees take bath two times daily. (will help us to take bath during our journey in the jungle)
• Devotees avoid meat and other masala foods during vradha time. (will help us to keep our body fresh)
• Devotees avoid tobacco, alcohol, sex (will help to do our journey fresh and healthy in the jungle & mountain)

Irumudi Concept

Devotees carry Irumudi on their heads during their journey to Sabarimala.  In olden days devotees reach the Sabarimala only crossing the thick forest & mountain.  This bag is in two compartments – the Munmudi (the front part) and the Pinmudi (the back part) & the opening at centre. The front portion is reserved for keeping all the puja articles and offerings to the deity while the rear part is meant to hold the pilgrims personal requirements for the journey. Front portion contains pooja items to lord ayyappa, back compartment or the Pin Mudi contains snacks which one may require now and then during the trip and other raw materials for food items to be prepared during the journey.  And pulses and rice needed for cooking can be included in Pinmudi

Belief is that ayyappan also follow this method while he is gone in the forest to kill the demons, Mahishi.

Reaching Temple

Devotees reach this sabarimala in a two different way.

• Traditional Mountainous Path

Devotees still follow the Traditional Mountainous forest path (approximately 45 km) from Erumely.

Devotees carry Irumudi and they go in a group and they distribute the food items to prepare for their food during their journey in this Mountainous path.

Petta Thullal

Petta Thullal at Erumeli is on the most important event during the Sabarimala Pilgrimage to the Ayyappa Temple. Ayyappa devotees (especially first time visitor) perform Petta Thulal – the dance of ecstasy – commemorating the victory achieved over Demon Mahishasura by Lord Ayyappa, Vavur Swami. The entire ceremony is performed in front of the Erumely Vavur Mosque and Petta Sri Dharmasastha Temple.

Karivalam Thodu (Peak of Azhutha Mountain)

Devotees then start their journey to Sabarimala from Erumely to Azhutha River.  Here devotees have a holy dip in Azhutha River and take a small piece of stone, and then they cross the Azhutha Mountain to reach Karivalam Thodu (Azhutha Mountain Peak). Ayyappan kill the demons, Mahishi at Karivalm Thodu. Devotees kept the stone at Karivalam Thodu. This is because to arrest the reborn of demons, Mahishi.

Kari Malai

Devotees do poojas at Mukuli Mari Amman temple before they start a journey to Karimala.  Mukuli Mari Amman temple is situated at the other side of the Azhutha Mountain.

Devotees then cross Cheriyanavattom, Valiyanavattom and finally reach Pamba River.  From Pamba again they have to climb Neeli Malai to reach the Sabarimalai temple.

Sabarimala vratham Concept

Azhutha, Karimalai & Neelimalai Mountain stretches are very difficult to climb because these mountains are very steep and difficult to cross.  Sabarimala Vratha for 41 days are important and tide to this forest & mountain journey, devotees can follow this vratha properly, they can cross and reach these stretch very easily. Lord Ayyappan also giving energy to devotees to reach sabarimala safely.

• Journey directly from Pamba

Another way to reach Sabarimala directly from Pamba, in this route devotees only climb Neeli Malai (mountain) and reach the Sabarimala temple.

Sabarimala Temple

Devotees those wear Rudraksha or Tulasi beads and carrying Irumudi Kattu only allowed to climb the temple Pathinettam Padi (18 steps).  Others will allow via back side steps to do darshan of lord ayyappa.

Save Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a divine place and situated in dense forest.  Plastics are a silent killer for forest and the animals.  Devotees please avoid carrying plastic covers, bottles etc to Sabarimala.  In olden days people only carry small, small cloth covers in their irumudi, now people only carry small plastic pockets.  Please avoid and save sabarimala to our next generation.

Photos