Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Sabarimala Pilgrimmage

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    17,476

    Default Sabarimala Pilgrimmage

    Sabarimala is a major Hindu pilgrim centre in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The nearest rail head is Kottayam/Chengannur.

    Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.

    The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. Makaravilakku (Jan 14th) is the main festival day.

    A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non vegetarian food and carnal pleasures.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    17,476

    Default Erumeli

    Erumeli (38 km from Kottayam/ 36 km from Pathanamthitta)

    How to Reach

    The nearest Railway stations to Sabarimala are Kottayam and Chengannur. There are regular bus service during the festival season from these Railway stations. Chengannur to Pamba is 3.5 hour journey (Rs 64, 90 km) via Pathanamthitta, Vadasserikkara, Laha (Rubber Estate) and Nilakkal (high range forested route).

    Chengannur - Aaranmula (8 km) - Pathanamthitta (12 km) - Vadasserikkara (12 km) - Nilakkal (16 km) - Pamba (22 km).

    Kottayam to Pamba (via Erumeli) is 138 km (Rs 71), 3 hour by bus.

    Kottayam - Manarcad - Pambady - Ponkunnam - Kanjirappally (NH 220). From 26 th mile, the road to Erumeli (15 km from Kanjirappally) bifurcates from the Kumily main road.

    Erumeli is a small town where one can stock items for the pilgrimmage/trek. Hotel Empire is near the Masjid provides Accommodation. Uduppi Hotel serves homely food.

    Ninan Masjid famous for the Chandanakkudam festival (Jan 10) and the Petta thullal (Jan 11). The entering of the masjid by Hindu devotees by chanting prayers to pay homage to a Muslim saint is an unforgettable experience. The devotees wear tiger masks, paint their face with colors and dance with wooden swords, 'gada' and small tree branches accompanied by drummers and other musical instruments. The dancing groups proceeds to Dharmashashta temple near by.



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    17,476

    Default Erumeli - Sabarimala trek

    Sabarimala trek

    There is a 45 km long forested pedestrian route from Erumeli to Pamba via Periyar Tiger Reserve. The ardous trek takes 10 hour. I started the trek at 5.20 am. The route follows the Sabarimala road, Erumeli estate and a right turn to reach Irumboonikkara temple. The road is motorable up to the temple.

    From here follow the unmetaled road to reach Forest check post (One hour). From here there is forest and two small climbs on the Kalaketty route. A small tribal temple and a stream is on the way. At Kalaketty, can be accessed by road from Erumeli, there is a Shiv temple, big trees, shops and place for resting. A 1.5 km walk takes one to Azhutha river, on the Erumeli - Mundakkayam road. Cross the Azhutha river by bridge to reach Periyar Tiger Reserve. This is the right place to start the trek. Lot of devotees reach Azhutha by vehicles and start the trek.



    From Azhutha there is a 2 km long steep trek to Kallidamkunnu, where devotees drop pebbles with respect. It takes one more hour. There is plenty of tea shops providing 'viri' for taking rest and Gruel (kanji). I enjoyed the refreshing lemon soda (with salt) and take my first rest. From here there is a flat walk to Injippara Ayyappa shrine. From the temple, the route climbs down to reach Mukuzhi Devi temple. The temple is having road access. The forested route has huge trees worth admiration. Devotees do this ardous trek of 50 km bare footed !. One day rest is advised at Kallidamkunnu.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    17,476

    Default

    From Mukuzhi temple, take right route to reach Karimala base. After this long walk, there are shops for tea and rest. The area is infested with wild animals. Cross a stram and start the Karimala climb. I took Gruel from a shop and had a short rest. It is an easy gradual climb to the top. On top, there is a holy stone and a donation box. From here there is a difficult descent. There is shops at the Pamba side. From here it is 2 km plane walk to Pamba. The trek took 10 hour. I took a refreshing bath in the Holy river Pamba. There was no room available. I used the Devaswom's clock room and rested in a 'viri' shop in Pamba. There is plenty of basic accommodation for the devotees. Pay and use toilets are plenty.

    At 11 pm, it is the closing time of the Sabarimala temple (Nadayadakkal), I enjoyed the peace giving Harivarasanam song sung by Dr. KJ Yesudas in 1980s.






  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    17,476

    Default Pamba - Sabarimala trek



    Pamba bathing ghat

    The to and fro trek from Pamba takes 3 hour plus time taken for darshan. Pamba - Sabarimala Dolly Rs 1900 (to and fro). After the bath in the Holy river Pamba the trek begins. From Pamba Ganapathy temple it is a steep climb of Neelimala over the cemented route. Railings is a great help in the climb. 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' mantra help the devotees to forget the hardships.a (throwing of small rice balls) is performed. The route further is plane and proceeds to breaking of coconut area. It is a resting place for 'Ayyappans' and the route is through an over bridge of the Swamy Ayyappan road. After this comes Sharamkuthy and the long queue starts from here to Sannidhanam. It takes 5 to 10 hour for darshan.

    Security at Sabarimala Sannidhanam is provided by Rapid Action Force personnel armed with carbines, INSAS rifles and AK 47s.

    Woman in the age group of 10 to 50 are not permitted to climb Sabarimala. Those not having Irumudikettu will not be permitted to ascent through the Pathinettampadi (18 holy golden steps for darshan).

    Harivarasanam (7.5 minute) by Dr KJ Yesudas will be played before closing (Nadayadakkal at 11 pm) the temple. It gives bliss of peace to all the devotees.




  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    17,476

    Default Mandalakala begins

    Sabarimala Pilgrim season of the year 2010-11 begins from 17th November 2010. Sabarimala is a major Hindu pilgrim centre located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The nearest railhead is Kottayam/Chengannur on the Ernakulam - Thiruvananthapuram rail route. Sabarimala can be accessed by a trek from Pamba, which is well connected by road. The pilgrim centre is open for 41 days.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Hi
    In this site is very nice and thank you for sharing.........



    Last edited by sherlyk; 12-21-2010 at 02:09 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    76,596

    Default

    ABOUT SABARIMALA


    The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths. Here, the emphasis is on secularism and communal harmony. Sabarimala upholds the values of equality, fraternity and also the oneness of the human soul; all men, irrespective of class, creed or race are equal before Lord Ayyappan and seemingly, to drive home this fact, the pilgrims thronging the temple complex address one another as ‘Ayyappa Swami.’

    Legend has it that the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala is laid out in accordance with the instructions of the Lord himself. Consequently, Malikappurathamma is on the left of the Sannidhanam, and the Lord’s aides, Vavar and Kadutha stand vigil at the foot of the ‘pathinettu thrippadi’ the most significant 18 steps in Hinduism, leading to the ‘sanctum sanctorum.’

    As Lord Ayyappan was raised by the King of Pandalam as his son, the temple at Sabarimala is looked upon as part of the Raja’s domain. And pilgrims are expected to obtain his permission before proceeding to Sabarimala. One of the King’s representatives sits on a raised platform with the royal insignia at the base of Neelimala. The Ayyappa devotees offer him a token sum and receive vibhuthi in return. The 3km ascent up the Neelimala is the steepest and the most difficult in the whole pilgrimage.

    En route to Sabarimala, the pilgrims visit Erumeli Sree Dharma Shastha Temple to hold ‘Petta Thullal’ as well as Vavur’s mosque, also at Erumeli. To enter the temple complex at Sabarimala, the devotees have to climb the 18 steps or the ‘pathinettu padikal’; when compared to other prominent temples in Kerala like Guruvayoor, the shrine atop Sabarimala is relatively small.


    The temple stands on a plateau, over 40 feet high and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the valleys below. Steeped in antiquity, it was rebuilt after a massive fire in 1950. Now, the complex on Sabarimala comprises a sanctum sanctorum bearing a copper-plated roof with four golden finials at the top, two mandapams, the belikalpura housing the altar, and the ‘kodimaram’ or the flag staff.



    The Ayyappa idol within the Sannidhanam and worshipped by millions, was originally carved out of stone, however the current image of the deity is a beautiful idol of Ayyappan in panchaloha, an amalgam five metals and about one and a half feet tall.

    Keywords: Ayyappa temple , Hindu temples,secularism , communal harmony, Lord Ayyappan , seemingly,Ayyappa Swami, Malikappurathamma , Sannidhanam,Vavar , Kadutha,pathinettu thrippadi, King of Pandalam , Neelimala, Ayyappa devotees, vibhuthi ,pilgrimage,Sree Dharma Shastha Temple,Petta Thullal,Vavur’s mosque, Guruvayoor, two mandapams, belikalpura ,kodimaram, flag staff,Ayyappa idol , Sannidhanam ,Ayyappan in panchaloha.
    Last edited by sherlyk; 09-14-2011 at 06:53 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    76,596

    Default


    The Sacred 18 steps : The original 18 steps at Sabarimala were granite blocks, five or six feet wide. However, they were so badly damaged by pilgrims who constantly broke coconuts on them that Travancore Devasom, the current governing body of the temple covered them with panchaloha after a lengthy Devaprashanam. The renovation work was completed in November, 1985 and now the holy steps are covered in gold.

    Several myths persist regarding the significance of the Pathinettu thripadikal or the 18 holy steps, but almost all of them stress the importance of the number, 18. According to a popular belief, the first 5 steps signify the five indriyas or the senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), the following 8 the ragas (tatwa, kama, krodha, moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara), the next 3 the gunas (satwa, rajas and thamas) followed by vidya and avidya. Climbing these would take the devotee closer to self-realisation. The act of crossing the 18 steps is so sacred that nobody can mount them without undertaking the rigorous 41 day fast and carrying the irumudi. It is also widely assumed that the pathinettu padikal symbolize the 18 puranas; others believe that they connote the 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappan obliterated evil.

    An Ayyappa devotee crosses the Pathinettaam padi only twice during his sojourn on Sabarimala – for entering the temple and to go downhill. Before ascending or descending the steps, pilgrims break coconut as an offering to the steps. One needs to have the sacred Irumudi on head while going up or down the 18 steps and while descending the steps the devotees climb down backwards facing the sanctum sanctorum.



    Ganapathi Kovil: Lord Ganapathi sits south-west of the main temple; the Ganapathi idol at Sabarimala is commonly referred to as Kannimula Ganapathi. And one of the special offerings to this deity is ‘Ganapathi homam.’

    Bhasmakkulam: The shrine of Malikappurathama is about 100 metres away from the Sannidhanam. Bhasmakkulam/ Ash tank is situated between these two holy spots. Pilgrims braving the arduous trip to Sabarimala take a tip in the sacred waters of this tank for spiritual purification and also in memory of Tapaswini Sabari who entered a pyre to end her mortal life. Sabarimala is named after her. Bhasmakkulam is repeatedly drained and filled with fresh water, on account of the millions who bathe in it.


    Malikappurathamma: This small temple on a hillock houses the shrines of Devi (Malanada Bhagavathi) and Kaduthaswamy in addition to a trident and a lamp. Devotees offer special pujas and coconuts which contrary to common practice, are not broken, but just rolled onto the ground. The door of the shrine always remains closed and other offerings presented include betel leaves, turmeric powder, silk cloth, saffron and money. Kanikka, gun shots and lighted lamps are the offered by the worshipper to propitiate Malanada Bhagavathi.

    The shrines of Nagaraja (the king of snakes) and Nagayakshi (Snake goddess) are on the right side of the temple of Malikappurathamma. Special pujas involving sarppa paattu are offered here to appease the snakes and protect devotees from the harmful effects of snakebites.

    Kaduthaswamy and Karuppaswamy stand at the bottom of the Pathinettampadi (18 steps) and are the guardians of the Sannidhanam. They are dwarapalakas, ensuring that the holy steps are not polluted by pilgrims who do not undergo the rigors of the 41-day abstinence and celibacy. Also they safeguard the pious from the dark spirits of the surrounding forests.

    It is held that Kadutha was a valiant warrior who helped Pandalamraja (Lord Ayyappan’s foster father) beat his archenemy Udayanan. Soon afterwards, Kadutha accompanied the Raja to Sabarimala to reconstruct the Ayyappa temple and eventually grew so attached to the Lord that he spent his remaining days in the temple and the adjoining woods.

    Adjacent to the Pathinettupadi is the shrine of Vavurswami, who is believed to have been a close associate of Lord Ayyappan. Vavur was a Muslim and several versions of his association with Ayyappan persist. Originally a warrior, Vavur was defeated and subdued by Ayyappan; later he became of one of the closest confidants of the Lord. It is widely believed that Ayyappan himself instructed Pandalamraja to build a mosque for Vavur at Erumeli and a shrine at Sabarimala.


    Homakundam: In the bygone days, a large homakundam or a sacred pit burned constantly in front of the Sannidhanam. The flames were fed by the coconuts/neithenga thrown in by pilgrims, after offering the ghee within them to Lord Ayyappan. It is held that as the coconuts burn in the sacrificial fire, the pilgrims undergo a ritualistic cleansing, both of the spirit and the body. Owing to the deluge of devotees each year, the Homakundam has been moved to a spot beneath the temple.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    1

    Default

    After putting mala i made love to my wife.While making love i removed the mala Next day i took bath and asked for forgiveness and put it back. my grand mother passed away 1 month ago. what should i do?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •