Om Shuklaambaradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam Prasanna
Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva Vighnopashaantaye
Aashyaama Komalavishaalatanum Vichitra
Vaasovasaanam Arunotpala Daamahastam
Uttungaratnamakutam Kutilaagrakesam
Shaastaaram Ishtavaradam Sharanam Prapadhye
Hindu
shrines are usually situated near river banks, sea shores or mountain
top to help pilgrims meditate and to give a sense of peacefulness.
The shrines to be found on hill tops are especially enthralling,
not only because of their religious appeal but also due to its
approachability.
The hill shrine of Sabarimala and its deity Lord Ayyappan is matchless
in Hindu religion and peculiar to the Kerala State in South India.
This forest abode of Lord Ayyappan is in the Western Ghats of
India.
Lord Ayyappan is a symbol of religious unity and communal harmony.
Being born out of Mohini (the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
and Lord Shiva, he is also known as Bhuthanatha, Dharmasastha,
Hariharan, Ayyanar and Manikanta. There are several temples dedicated
to Lord Ayyappan all over India. Among these the important temples
along the Western Ghats are: Kulathupuzha - Ayyappan is a child
here, Aryyankavu - He is a bachelor here, Achankovil - here he
is as Dharmasastha with Poorna and Pushkala (his wives) Sabarimala
- here he is a yogi, meditating for the benefit of all.
Sabarimala
(Mount Sabari - about 3000 feet above sea level) is the most favourite
and significant temple in Kerala. Pilgrimage to this temple symbolises
the journey to heaven. The journey of spiritual candidate to Sabarimala
is difficult and adventurous. The pilgrims observe severe austerities,
wearing rudraksha or tulsi beads strings in the neck and trek
up the forest to reach the temple. The feeling of delight and
spiritual elevation one gets when devotees have the darshan (when
devotee sees) of the deity is remarkable and significant. The
magnetic charm is so high, it makes any devotee, who undertakes
the yatra (pilgrimage) once, to revisit the shrine every year
in quest of spiritual solace.
Sabarimala
temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion,
social status or nationality. The pilgrims undergo 41 days of
fast to cleanse the mind. He carries on his head, the holy ghee
for the Lord's Abisheka filled in coconut in "Irumudi"
(two compartment cloth bag). The temple is open only to males
and menopaused females (beyond 50 years of age) and little girls
below 10 years of age. This is because the Lord is a chaste yogi
in Sabarimala. The male pilgrims are called 'Ayyappan' and the
female pilgrims are called 'Malikappuram'.
The shrine
is open only during specific period in a year. It is open from
Mid-November to Mid-January and for first five days of every Malayalam
month.
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