Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple

Sabarimala (72 Km from Pathanamthitta) is a famous pilgrimage centre in Kerala. Believed to be the world's second largest annual pilgrimage in terms of the number of devotees, millions of pilgrims a year make the arduous barefoot trek up a mountain to the Ayyappan Temple in Sabarimala.

The holy shrine, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa (One of the sons of Shiva) is 914 m above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples.

Devotees, mainly male can be spotted on the roads with bare foot and dressed in black, blue or ochre for the duration of their pilgrimage. The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad.

Non Hindus are also allowed to conduct pilgrimages to the temple. This is one place which has turned out to be a model of communal harmony. There is 'Vavar Nada', a shrine in honour of a Muslim Saint close to the Ayyappa Swami Temple at Sabarimala.  Pilgrims to Sabarimala worship here first and then proceed to the main temple. 

Women between the age group of 10-50 are not permitted for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Only pilgrims who have observed 'Vritham' (penance) and carry 'Irumudikkettu / Pallikkettu (which contains the traditional offerings filled with ghee, coconuts, camphor and rice) alone are allowed entry through the Holy 'Pathinettampadi' (18 Divine Steps) to the shrine. In addition pilgrims must take two baths daily, should avoid sexual pleasures, and only eat vegetarian food at home during this period. The steps depict elements, mind, intelligence etc. Those who crosses all these steps is believed to achieve 'Punyadarshan'. Before climbing the steps the devotees have to take a ritual bath in the holy river Pamba, which forgives one's sins and the devotees also break the coconuts before climbing the steps. "Neyyabhishekam" is the main offering.

The temple is opened only for the festival days and for the first five days of every Malayalam month and also during Vishu (April) and onam and closed during the rest of the year. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieve Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.

There is no restrictions of caste or creed in Sabarimala .The pilgrims who are undertaking the pilgrimage for the first time known as 'Kanni Swamis' and the leader of the group is known as 'Guru Swami' .

The main festivals of this temple are Mandalapooja (Nov.17th , November to mid January ,the period which is called as "Mandalakalam".) and Makaravilakku (Jan.14th). Makara Villaku is the bringing of deity's jewellery, Thirivabharanam from the Pandalam Palace, three days prior to Makara Sankranthi.

However, there are some controversies of diverse kinds related to Sabarimala; the case of women entry in the temple, Sabarimala Makaravilaku controversy (a celestial fire - a Jyothi with healing powers appears mysteriously in the Sabarimala forests on the Makara. On this day of 'Makaravilakku' lakhs of devotees gathered around the temple for the sight of 'Makarajyothi' ) are main among them.

Near to Ayyappa Swami Temple there is a 'Vavar Temple', of a Muslim Saint at Sabarimala. Pilgrims to Sabarimala first worship here and then proceed to the main temple.