For many centuries Sabarimala in the south has been an
important pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees from all over
India, especially from the southern states. The presiding deity at
Sabarimala is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, who is considered
a symbol of unity between the Vaishnavites and Saivites, his origin
being traced to a union of Siva and Vishnu under special circumstances.
He is also believed to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined
his Supreme Self enshrined at Sabarimala. Some scholars say that Sastha
images seen all over Kerala are those of Lord Budha, but there are
others who dispute this theory.
The temple
is situated in the interior of the mountain ranges of the Western
Ghats Sahyadri, and it is inaccessible except on foot. Pilgrims have
to negotiate long shelter of the thick forests and tall mountains
in fested with all sorts of wild animals.
Pilgrimage
to Sabarimala cannot be undertaken at all seasons, because it requires
long preparation and fixed timings. A devotee who wishes to perform
the pilgrimage should undergo forty-one days' Vritham' (penance) consisting
of strict celibacy, morning and evening ablutions, growing of beard
and daily prayers. Saranamvili or the call of dedication and refuge
in Lord Ayyappa is an essential part of the daily worship.
January 14, every
year synchronising with the day of Sankramom (crossing of the sun
from Dhakshinayana to Uttarayana) is the most important festival day
of the temple. On the above day , lakhs of pilgrim each called an
Ayyappa (assuming the very name of the Lord) flock to the shrine for
worship. Here they see the Makara Vilakku the appearance of a spontaneous
phenomenon of strange light in the distance, indicating the presence
of god, and return ennobled and strengthened in spirit. Situated not
far from the Sabarimala temple, there is a shrine in the name of Vavar,
a Muslim of great valour, who was thought to be a close associate
of Sri, Ayyappa. It is a rare feature of the pilgrimage to Sabarimala
that the Hindu pilgrim offer worship at this shrine of Vavar also
during their trip, indicating the communal harmony that prevailed
in Kerala for ages. During the entire pilgrimage, all distinctions
of caste and class are forgotten.
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