Kerala Sabarimala Temple - Kerala is a land of exquisite temples; perhaps the most popular pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala. This beautiful temple is perched high up in the Sahyadri Mountains (Western Ghats). Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most well-known and important among all the Sastha Temples.
It is whispered that "Parasurama Maharshi"
who saved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed
the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.
The pilgrimage starts in the month of November and ends
in January. The shrine gets thronged with worshippers
particularly during the main pilgrim season from November
to January.
Makaravilakku (Jan 14 th ) and Mandalapooja (Nov 15
th ) are the most important events of the pilgrimage
season. The temple is mainly kept open for the first
five days of every Malayalam month. Sabarimala Temple
follows certain rigid customs and rituals which are
mandatory to perform. A devotee or a pilgrim observing
the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days.
During this period, the pilgrim should desist himself
from non- vegetarian habits and cardinal pleasures.
Usually the norm is that a pilgrim group set out guided
by a leader and each of the members carry a cloth bundle
called Irumudi Kettu comprising of conventional traditional
religious offerings. Sabarimala temple has no restrictions
and prejudices of caste and creed. The temple is remains
open to males of all age groups and to women who either
have passed their fertility age and those before reaching
the stage of puberty. Pamba is the major halting point
on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek
4 to 5 kms to arrive at the temple.
Southindiatourtravel.com provides information about
Kerala Sabarimala Temple, South India Kerala Temples and different temples around Kerala.
|
