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CONCEPT – FACTS ABOUT SABARIMALA TEMPLE KERALA
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- Location: Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world with an estimated 50 million devotees visiting.
- Belief: Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi. Ayyappan's temple is situated here amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m (1535 ft) above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests.
- Lord Ayyappan: It is believed that Lord Ayyappa was born from the union of Lord Shiva and Vishnu (Mohini avatar), and he is also known as Hariharaputra. Sabarimala Temple is considered to be his abode.
- More temples: Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, and Karimala, remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.
- Holy steps: The 18 steps that lead one to the Ayyappa shrine are considered to be highly sacred, as these steps are a symbolic representation of various elements – the first five steps indicate five senses, the next eight indicate eight ragas; the next three represent Tri Gunas, whereas the last two stand for vidya and avidya. Climb these, and rid yourself of worldly desires.
- All men allowed: Sabarimala is linked to Hindu pilgrimage, predominantly for men of all ages, who do not shave till the completion of pilgrimage and smear Vibhuti or Sandal paste on their forehead.
- Menstruating age women not allowed: Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed to enter the temple, since Lord Ayyappan is a Bramhachari (celibate). The 2018 Supreme Court order annulled this tradition, leading to widespread protests.
- When open? The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (approximately 15 November to 26 December), Makaravilakku (14 January- "Makar Sankranti ") and Maha Vishuva Sankranti (14 April), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.
- Vratam of 41 days: The devotees are expected to follow a Vratham (41-day fasting) prior to the pilgrimage. This begins with wearing of a special Mala (a garland made of Rudraksha or Tulasi beads). Many devotees follow the traditional mountainous forest path (approximately 61 km) from Erumely,12.8 km from Vandiperiyar and 8 km from Chalakayam, believed to be taken by Ayyappa himself.
- “Thazhamon Madom”: He is the traditional priest family who has powers over the matters to be decided in Sabarimala Temple. Tantri is the highest priest and is the head of the temple. It's the privilege of the family to decide on matters relating to Sabarimala shrine. Tantris are to be present in all ceremonial poojas and functions to be held at temple premises. The prasadam at Sabarimala temple is Aravana payasam and Appam. These are prepared by using rice, ghee, sugar, jaggery etc.
- Harivarasanam: It is recited before closing the temple door every night.
- Neyyabhishekam: This significant ritual involves pouring sacred ghee brought by pilgrims in their Pallikettu or Irumudi (A two compartment bag made of handwoven cotton cloth used to carry the offerings for Sabarimala Temple carried on their heads)on the idol of Lord Ayyappa. It symbolically means the merging of Jeevatma with the Paramatma.While a Red coloured Irumudi is used by a pilgrim on his first journey(Kanni Ayyappan) to Sabarimala, others use Navy Blue till third year and thereafter saffron coloured Irumudi.
- Lord Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana met Sabari: Sabari was a tribal devotee, at Sabarimala. She offered the Lord fruits after tasting them, and the Lord accepted them gladly and whole-heartedly. The Lord then turned and saw a divine person doing tapas. He asked Sabari who it was, and Sabari said it was Sasta. Rama walked towards Sasta and the latter stood up and welcomed the Prince of Ayodhya. The anniversary of this incident is celebrated on Makara Vilakku day. It is believed that on Makara Vilakku day, Lord Dharmasasta stops his tapas to bless his devotees.
- Tat Tvam Asi: The important message given at the temple is the ultimate knowledge that each individual is a God unto himself/herself, Tat Tvam Asi in Sanskrit meaning "That is you". Due to this pilgrims call each other Swami.
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