The most anticipated
event at Sabarimala is the Makara Jothi (usually on January 14th).
Thiruvabaranam or the sacred jewels of the Lord (presented by
Padalam King) arrives at Sabarimala in three boxes. On the arrival
of the jewel boxes the whole mountain reverberates to the chanting
of 'Saranam Ayyappa' by millions of devotees gathered there to
watch the event.
The Thiruvabaranam
box - still the private property of the Pandalam royal family,
starts it journey two days before Makara Jothi day from Pandalam.
The person who carries the box dances in a trance that can be
believed only by who witnesses it. Thiruvabaranam travels through
Valiakoikkal Sastha temple at Pandalam, Ayiroor Puthia Kavu Temple,
Perunattil temple, Vlakkai, Nilaikkal Siva temple, Vellachimala,
Pamba and Sabari Peedam before reaching at Sannidhanam around
6.00 PM on the Makara Jothi day. Every year a Garuda hovers and
flies above the Thiruvabaranam boxes as if to guard them.
On reaching
the Sannidhanam the Melshanthi and Thandhri receive the sacred
jewels amidst of thundering echoes of Sarana ghosham. The Thiruvabaranam
box contains a diamond crown, golden bracelets, necklaces and
a sword. The priests adorn the Lord with these and perform arathi.
At the same
moment a brilliant light of amazing magnificence appears in the
northeastern side to the temple at opposite mountain in a place
called Kantamala (the home of devas and rishis). It is believed
that this brilliant flame of light is the arathi performed by
the rishis and the devas. This event marks the culmination of
the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.
Makara
Vilakku :
After the jothi, that night Malikappurathuamma, mounted on an
elephant comes in a procession to the Patinettampadi (18 steps
) and returns back to her abode. This is the beginning of the
Makara Vilakku festival. This festival lasts for seven days. Many
pilgrims stay back till this festival is over and Kuruthi pooja
(offering of water mixed with chunnambu and turmeric powder to
the forest deities) is performed.
Even some
who leave Sabarimala after witnessing the Jothi observe fasting
till the Makara Villaku and Kuruthi pooja is complete at Sabarimala.
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