Temples of India: Sabarimala

 

It is one of the most popular pilgrimages undertaken by devotees in Southern India.

Located in the district of Pathanamthitta of Kerala, in the western Ghats lies Sabarimala Temple which is the abode of Lord Ayyappa. The temple is an important source of spiritual wealth and is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees who undertake the annual Sabarimala Yatra.

Shabari means huntress in Tamil, Malayalam, and many Indian languages. Mala means a hill. So, it is the hill of the huntress. The temple is named after a Yogini called Shabari who was a disciple of Sage Agastya. She was in penance for a long time, waiting for the incarnation of Shasta as Manikantha – one of the manifestations of Ayyappa Swami. Pleased with her tapasya, Lord Manikantha decided to stay back for his devotees on this hill.

Brief history of Sabarimala

Brahmanda Purana, Skanda Purana, and the Brahma Purana mention Manikantha or Ayyappa Swami as the 8th incarnation of Shasta.

Shasta was the son born out of Mahavishnu’s Mohini avatar and Paramashiva’s union. Devi gave a boon to both Mahavishnu and Paramashiva for the birth of a son. Hence Shasta was born without any garbhavasa or pregnancy in the womb.

He is said to have 8 incarnations. In the last of these incarnations Lord Ayyappam, is a Brahmachari. Shasta is called Manikantha in the 8th incarnation as he adorns a Navaratna Mala – a necklace made out of the 9 most precious gems, around his neck.

Earlier, the temple used to be closed throughout the year except on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. It is believed that the Ayyapa Swami is in meditation throughout the year for the people of Kaliyuga. He comes out for a few days during the occasion to bless his devotees.

Sabarimala Temple

 

Sabarimala, also known as Sabarigiri, is located in the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats.

The main temple is surrounded by 18 hills. In the center of the hills lies the Mahayogapeetham where the garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is located. This is also known as Matanga Vana as it is the region where Matanga Maharshi performed penance.

 

The prescribed route to Sabarimala, according to the Puranas, can be embarked by a devotee who has taken an oath of 41 days. During these days of the vrata or resolve, the devotee is supposed to conduct a prescribed set of rites and ceremonies while following strict Brahmacharya. This includes sleeping on the floor, eating simple food, Japa, and celibacy.

The path to Sabarimala is a trek through the river Pampa and the Neela Parvata. Reaching Sabari Peetham and climbing the holy 18 steps known as Tatva Shobhanam to finally reach the temple and seek the grace of Lord Ayyappa.

The temple is open throughout November, December, and January for Mandala pooja and closes a few days after Sankranti. Nowadays, the temple is open for the first 5 days of every Tamil or Malayalam month. One can visit the temple without taking the Vrata but will not be able to receive the grace of Lord Ayyappa.

Rules for the pilgrimage

All the rules for the pilgrimage are mentioned in the Puranas. These rules must be followed properly to complete the pilgrimage. The yatra to Sabarimala is undertaken by the devotees to achieve Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

 

Men of all ages and women below age 10 and above 50 are permitted to embark on this pilgrimage.

The Vrata is for 41 days before the pilgrimage, although devotees can always take a longer oath. This is taken in November, during the festival of Karthigai or Kartik Purnima. During this time, the Bhoomi pooja of this temple is said to have taken place. Therefore, this time is considered very auspicious to take the vrata.

Before the vrata is taken, one must seek the tutelage of a Guru. Only when one is accepted by the Guru can the individual begin the journey for the pilgrimage.

Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya has to be strictly observed. The devotee is supposed to eat only once a day and has to perform pooja 3 times a day. Vrata mala – a tulsi mala, given by the Guruswamy has to be worn by the person throughout the Vratham.

Ideally, ‘Vratham’ starts from the day when the pilgrim adorns a chain (Mala in Malayalam) denoting willingness to undertake austerity. This ritual is known as ‘Malayideel’ in local parlance.

The devotees may wear a bead chain with the locket of Sree Ayyappan. Once the chain is worn, the devotee has to lead a life free of worldly pleasures.

Vices such as smoking and alcohol use are also a strict no-no. The pilgrim is also required to lead a life of conjugal abstinence.

Religious practices mandate that the Mala should be accepted after prayers from a temple priest or a Guru Swami – a person who has completed 18 Sabarimala pilgrimages.

Alternatively, the Mala may be also worn in the prayer room/place of one’s own home.

Wearing the Mala denotes the onset of the ‘Vrutham’. Devotees consider wearing the Mala on a Saturday or on the day of Uthram, the astral sign considered auspicious. Uthram is the birth star of Sree Ayyappan.

The idea behind the 41-day ‘Vrutham’ is to develop discipline and healthy practices and make it a habit. It is all about good habit formation through sustained efforts achieved through a combination of self-control and prayers.

Black is the recommended color for clothes during the ‘Vruthum’ period as the color denotes detachment from material things. Cutting hair, shaving off facial hair, and cutting nails are forbidden.

The Mala may be taken off after the completion of the pilgrimage.

One has to bathe twice a day and has to sleep on the floor. Above all, the devotee must reach a spiritual condition in which he/she sees God in all. Although Sabarimala pilgrims prefer to wear black clothes for their pilgrimage, there is no mention of such a dress code in the Puranas.

Irumudi

Irumudi is an important part of the pilgrimage. It is a bag with two slots. The one in front is to store offerings for the Swami and the slot behind is for the devotee or the pilgrim. Among other things needed to perform Abhishekam, ghee is possibly the most sacred of all. On the last day of the Vrata, ghee is poured into a coconut for the purpose of Abhisheka and is sealed shut. On reaching the temple, this coconut is broken and the ghee is offered to the lord.

Ghee is used because it symbolizes the soul. Milk, curd, butter, and other dairy products are perishable, but ghee stays forever. Ghee symbolizes the eternal existence of the soul, moving from one perishable body to another until it achieves Moksha. Providing ghee during Abhishekam is equivalent to Aatma Samarpanam or complete surrender.

The YatraThe pilgrimage to Sabarimala starts on the first day of Vrischika month of the Malayalam year (the month of Scorpio) and ends on the 11th day of Dhanu month (the Month of Sagittarius). This season of the 41-day pilgrimage is known as the mandala (season). The season is in December and January.

There are two routes, one traditional and longer and the other shorter.

Most people follow the older, longer route to Sabarimala which covers a distance of 40 miles. It takes around 5 to 6 days to reach the destination. The shorter path is about 5km and starts from river Pampa. This path is open throughout the year to conduct poojas. The longer route is only open during December.