Sabarimala Temple the abode Of Shree Dharma Sastha Lord Ayyappa :-Sabarimala, the most popular pilgrimage destination of India is in Kerala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most well known and prominent among all the Temples Of India . This beautiful temple is situated high up in the Sahyadri Mountains (Western Ghats). Sabarimala Temple is the most visited hindu piligrim centres in the world with an estimated 4.5 - 5 crores devotees visiting every year. The world’s second largest annual pilgrimage, after Haj in Mecca, is reported to be to Sabarimala Temple.
Sabarimala Temple was constructed by the King of Pandalam as advised by Lord Ayyappa himself as per legends. It is believed that a DharmaSastha temple was already in existence at Sabarimala, and Lord Ayyappa merged into the deity there. Deities of Malikappurathamma on his left, Kadutha swami, Karuppaswamy and Vaver swami as his guards (Dwarapalakas) at the foot of the ‘pathinettampadi’ (holy 18 steps) and ‘bhasmakulam’ were installed. The temple is opened to believers of all religions. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple is a symbol of love, equality, fraternity, tolerance, humanity and devotion. All the pilgrims, irrespective of their cast, creed, position or wealth are equal before Lord Ayyappa and all of them address each other as Ayyappa. Here the Lord and the devotees are called as Ayyappa.
According to legend, the temple of Sabarimala and the deity Lord Ayyappa is very much related to Pandalam Palace .Ayyappa is believed as the son created out of the union of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Haran), Hariharasuthan (Dharma Sastha). He was born to kill the demon Mahishi. For this aim he came to the Earth. He took the form of a baby with a bell around his neck and placed himself near the Pamba river. The King of Pandalam, Rajasekhara Pandya who went for hunting saw the child, he took the child to his Palace and named him Manikandan.
Malikappurathamma:- The Malikappurathamma temple is situated on a small hillock left to the shrine of the main Ayyappa temple . It houses the shrine of Devi. Legend says Leela, daughter of Galavamuni, was reborn as Mahishi, under curse of her husband Dathan. She was killed by Lord Ayyappa (Hariharasuthan) and the curse was revoked and she transformed into a beautiful woman. She thanked the Lord and prayed to be with Him as His wife for ever. The Lord politely rejected the request and vowed that he would marry her when no fresh devotee visit the temple, knowing well that it would never happen and his wish still remains fullfilled. The lord at Sabarimala Temple is a ‘brahmachari’ means celibacist and the devotees who visit him after the 41 days of rigorous ritual and vow also need to remain as a celebacist during this period.
Shrines of Kaduthaswamy and Karuppaswamy:- : Kaduthaswamy and Karuppaswamy stand at the foot of the Patinettampadi of Sabarimala temple as guardians of the holy steps. They ensure that the pathinettampadi are not polluted and also protect the devotees from the evil spirits of the forests.
The Sub deities:-
The shrine of Lord Ganapathi: To the south-west of the Ayyappa shrine is Lord Ganapati, known as Kannimoola Ganapathi.
Vavarswami:- Near the Patinettampadi there is the shrine of the Muslim Vavarswami. The legend says that he was a muslim warrior who was defeated in a battle by Ayyappa, and later became a close associate and disciple of the lord. This is a classic example of the secularist background of Kerala even hundreds of years ago. Sabarimala temple is the living testimony for religious tolerence and Broad mindedness of the Hindu religion. Sabarimala temple can be visited by people belonging to any caste, creed or religion a rare feature in Hindu temples.
Pilgrimage To Sabarimala:- The pilgrims of Sabarimala Temple have to observe several austerities and regulations to undertake the pilgrimage. The vritham starts with receiving the holly mala( Rosary of beads of Thulsi or other approved beads) from the Guru( The guide and the preceptor for the Pilgrimage). Wearing the mala denotes that the devotee becomes Lord Ayyappa and thus he must lead a pious life. He must be a strict vegetarian . The devotee must strictly follow celibacy. Women (between 10 and 50) are not allowed to enter the temple.
The pilgrimage includes worship at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and conduct “Petta Thullal”. They also worship in the mosque at Erumeli as a part of their pilgrimage.
The important pilgrimage season in Sabarimala is from 1st Vrischikom to 6th Makaram (mid-November to mid-January). The temple will be opened on the first five days of all Malayalam Months for the monthly poojas and on all days of religious importance.
Standard Schedule of Rituals at Sabarimala Temple
During Makaravilakku season, the temple timing is between 0300 hrs and at 2300 hrs. Pooja timings will be subject to change during this period.( http://www.travancoredevaswom.org/sabarimala.html )
Standard Timings Actual Timings during the Mandala Pooja - Makaravilakku Season
Opens at 0400 hrs 0400 hrs
Nirmalya Darshanam 0405 hrs 0405 hrs
Neyyabhishekam 0430 - 1130 hrs 0425 -1130 hrs
Ganapathi Homam 0435 hrs 0430 hrs
Usha Pooja 0730 hrs 0730 hrs
Ucha (Noon) Pooja 1230 hrs 1300 hrs
Closes at 1300 hrs 1330 hrs
Opens at 1600 hrs 1600 hrs
Deeparadhana 1830 hrs 1830 hrs
Pushpabhishekham 1900 hrs 1900 hrs
Athaza Pooja 2230 hrs 2230 hrs
Closing 2250 to 2300 2250 to 2300 hrs
How to reach Sabarimala temple:-
By Rail: Kottayam, Chengannur and Punalur and from there by bus to Pampa.
By Air:Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi by Air and from there reach Pampa by bus/car.
By Road:KSRTC operates buses to all parts of Kerala and to Palani and Thenkashi from Pampa. Besides, the Govt. of Tamil Nadu operates 20 buses from different parts of Tamil Nadu to Pampa.
You can visit the Website of Travancore devaswom Board to know more about the amenities and Pooja details and worship days of Sabarimala temple here.
You can also visit Ayyappa seva sangham official site here
May Lord Dharma Sastha shower all grace on You and Fullfill all your wishes.
