A Pilgrimage to Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Temple

Location of Sabarimala Sree Swami Ayyapan Temple in Kerala

The shrine of Lord Swami Ayyappa of Sabarimala is located in a forest, in the Pathanamthitta District of the state of Kerala, very close to the border of Tamil Nadu. The place is accessible from the western parts of Kerala through Kottayam, Palai or Pathanamthitta and from the east through Madurai of Tamilnadu. On western side there are motorable roads available upto the banks of river Pampa.

The last 5 kilometres are uphill and will have to be covered on barefoot. The unique feature of the Swami Ayyappan's temple at sabarimala is that it is open to all faiths and you can see that the divine qualities like equality, fraternity, tolerance, humanity shine well in the pilgrims. This Ayyappa cult gives importance to secularism and communal harmony and is turning out to be a model for the whole world . There is no rich and poor, literate or illiterate, master or servant at all, all the pilgrims are Ayyappas to the other, their name doesn't matter, only the name of Lord Ayyappa matters.

About The Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Temple

The layout of the temple has been planned and constructed as per the instructions of the Lord himself, with Malikapurathamma on his left a few yards away from his own Sannidhanam and his two friends Vavar and Kadutha as his guards at the foot of the 18 steps. Pilgrims who go to worship Lord Ayyappan, pray first here and then climb the 18 steps to see the Lord. Only those who have gone through 40 days of vratham or the fasting rituals can climb these steps with the irumudikettu and see the Lord.

Main Pooja Rituals at the Sabarimala Temple

The shrine at Sabarimala is not open for darshan throughout the year. It remains open for few days close to the end and beginning of each Malayalam Calendar month. This coincides with the middle of each English Calendar Month. Besides, there are few other occassions like Mandala Vilakku (in the last week of December), and Makara sankaranthi and Makaravilakku in the mid January The information regarding these days is available in Malayalam newspapers and calendars.

Entrances into the temple premises

The shrine is situated on a lofted plateau. There are three entrances consisting of eighteen steps each on the eastern, northern and western sides, namely Front, Left and Back. Entry through the main holy steps in the front is restricted to those carrying the mandatory (Irumudikkettu). It is customary to wear dark dhothi of black, blue and saffron colours - a reminder of Ayyan's expedition. This holy steps are used only twice during a visit namely to go up and come down.

Pilgrimage to Sabarimala should be undertaken after 40 days of rigorous purifying rituals. The journey by beginners or the Kanni swamis should be under the guidance of a veteran referred to as Guruswami. Kanni swamis are expected to visit major temples of Kerala like Guruvayur, Chottanikkara and other temples in the area like Nilackal, Erumeli, as an accepted custom.

Things you are not supposed to do at the temple premises and elsewhere in the hills

You are not expected to use the Mobile phone and disturb the saranam vili / Swamiye saranam of the pilgrims.
You are not supposed to scatter garbage, especially non-bio degradable, littering, consumption of alcohol and non-vegtarian food, Smoking etc which are punishable Offences.
Information centres and counters are available at important points for assistance to pilgrims, You can avail help for announcements of missing persons and for paging for individuals separated from their groups.

A Pilgrimage to Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Temple

Location of Sabarimala Sree Swami Ayyapan Temple in Kerala

About The Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Temple

Main Pooja Rituals at the Sabarimala Temple

Entrances into the temple premises

Things you are not supposed to do at the temple premises and elsewhere in the hills

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