****Sabarimala.....The holy abode of God****. Review on Sabarimala

I strongly feel to write a piece of note .or rather my offering to "Lord Ayyappa" through this article.

This is about "Sabarimala".the most famous pilgrim centre in Kerala("God's own country").Sabarimala is said to be one of the most visited pilgrim centres in the world.coming next to Mecca(Haj).About 4-5 crores of people are coming every year for this pilgrimage.

The temple is situated here in the midst of 18 hills, coming in the Sahya ranges of Kerala.The temple is situated at an altitude of 3000ft above mean sealevel, and is blanketed by mountains and dense forests.Temples exists 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 on remaining hills.Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demon, Mahishi.

The Sabarimala is a singular example of one where pilgrims, without consideration of caste, creed, position or social status gather with one mind and chantmantra."Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa".which means.Lord Ayyapa.you are the ultimate shelter for us.

The popularity of the temple is among diverse people all over the world.Now coming to the mode of journey.The temple come in a dstrict called "Pathanamthitta".which is approximately a 3 hr ourney from Trivandrum, capital of kerala, by bus, if in car it take hardly 2.5 hour.vehicles can go up to "Pamba river " .where you can take bath.ofcourse its not so clean as its holy outfit.but atleast, can wash your hand and legs atleast.From here starts your journey to "Sabarimala".

Vehicular traffic cannot go beyond Pampa, situated on the Pampa river valley and the last 5 km to the shrine can be best reached by trekking.Porter carried chairs*(locally called as doli) are also available for the aged and handicapped pilgrims. Henceforth, pilgrims have to follow a path, approximately 4 kms up a steep hill.The path is now fully cemented, with shops and medical aid by the sides, used to be a mere trail through a dense forest.Earlier the road was not cemented and was uneven .

The custom is like no girls/women between the age of 12-50 are allowed to visit this temple. The reason is the Lord Ayyappa is a true"brahmachari".

I have got the previlage of visiting "sabarimala shrine" once along with my grandparents, at the age of 10.I remember .the journey.those time.the up hill route was not so polished and even like now.with all vigour and excitement.i remeber.myself climbing the steep route.i will run a few meters.n turn back to see.my grandparens slowly followng.really a precious moment to cherish in life.i dont remember the disposition of deity "Lord Ayyapa".but ofcourse the special journey.

Unfortunately I have to wait another 25 years to revisit the holy abode of God.

I may not be able to complete this review, in full respects owing to space constraints.but trying to depict atleast a part of which I intended.

The austerities to be performed

The devotees are expected to follow a " vratham".of 41 days.this is to be initiated in the month of "vrishchikam"( Malayalam month.which is the mid of November).the devotee has to wear a "thulasi" or "rudraksha " mala .and has to make him/her abstain from all wordly pleasures.ofcourse keep away from all vices.alcohol.tobacco.non- vegetarian food .and all such matters.Men should grow beard.i.e dont shave during the " Vratham " period.Male members who perform these rituals are called " ayyappa" and female members are called as "Malikappuram".

Male devotees are called so.coz during this period.they are leading a spiritual life.the hermit like lfesyle of Lord ayyappa." Malikappuram".will detail about this naming later in this post.

The role of “Guru”

The devotees are expected to take advice from an elderly member .i.e. “Guru swamy”.who has visited Sabarimala not less than 18 years and has traversed the traditional long route …the devotees perform a series of rituals. as instructed by “Guru swamy”.in the presence of family members.before starting the journey to “sabarimala”.this involves.filling an “irumudikettu”.a cloth bundle containing traditional offerings.a small sized coconut.the outer cover of which is removed and .it is pierced on top.and ghee is filled in it., chanting prayers.this coconut is cracked in the temple premises…any no. of coconut can be taken as one desire. After performing rituals.the irumudikettu is wrapped off and it has to be placed on head and start the journey. Also before starting the journey, a coconut is cracked, as an offering to Lord Ganesha, to remove all obstacles in the course of journey.

The rest is posted in comments section.