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Sabarimala Temple, All About Sabarimala Temple, Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

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Centres Of Faith - Shabrimala - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
The sacred mountain of Shabrimala is situated in the Patanamthitta district of Kerala, 173 km to the north of Tiruvanantpuram. It is believed that millions of pilgrims visit this place and their number is second only to the Haj pilgrims.
    
The pilgrimage to Shabrimala and the worship of Lord Ayyappa is a unique feature of Malayali culture and they represent the multi-dimensional aspect of Hinduism.
    
Ayyappa is also known by different names like Dharm Shasta, Harihar, Ayyanar, and Manikandan. They are symbolic of the oneness of Hari (Vishnu) and Har (Shiv). He is worshipped as a Brahmachari involved in social welfare.
    
A pilgrim desirous of a visiting Shabrimala is expected to practice celibacy and lead an austere life for 41 days. During the trip, pilgrims carry a cloth bundle (Irumudi) in which are kept, a ghee filled coconut for Lord Ayyappa and personal items required during the trip.
    
A symbol of religious solidarity, the Shabrimala pilgrimage is one that can be undertaken by any individual having faith in God, irrespective of the religion he belongs to. Babar, a devotee of Ayyappa was a Muslim and has a temple dedicated to him.
   
Since Lord Ayyappa is worshipped as a Brahmachari (celibate), women are not permitted on the pilgrimage.
   
Tourists are seen all year round but most of the pilgrims visit between mid-November and mid-January.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
It is believed that in Treta-yug, the sage Shabri who lived here was visited by Ram and Laxman. It was here that Ram ate berries first tasted by Shabri. She died here and the mountain derived the name Shabrimala after her.
 
 Another belief suggests that Mahishi demon existing in this region was blessed that she could be killed only by someone who was born from the union of Vishnu and Shiv.
    
When Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini served nectar to the Gods and killed Bhasmasur, Lord Shiv fell for her beauty. Lord Ayyappa took birth with the coming together of Shiv and Vishnu, as Mohini.
   
Ayyappa was found as an infant by the famous king, Raj Shekhar of Pandalam in a dense forest. The baby Ayyappa had a chain and a bell around his neck which led to him being called Manikandan.
    
Raj Shekhar brought up Manikandan as his own son and declared him as his heir. But the queen conspired with the Diwan (Minister) to get her own son crowned.
   
In order to get rid of Manikandan, the queen pretended of a terrible headache and as a cure got the king to send Manikandan to the forests to fetch tigress’ milk.
   
In the forest, Manikandan killed Mahishi. This pleased the Gods and they all appeared before Manikandan to offer help. Indra himself took the form of a tiger while the Goddesses turned into tigresses. Manikandan rode the tiger and returned to the palace with all the tigresses. This established his Godliness before the king and the people.
   
It is believed that the creation and establishment of the idol was done by Parshuram himself and King Raj Shekhar laid the foundation of the temple on the advice of Rishi Agastya.
   
The crossing of the 18 divine steps (Pathinettapadi) in Shabrimala is considered as a victory over the 18 elements of human body - 5 senses (Gnyanendriyas), 5 Karmendriyas, 5 Pran-Vaayus, mind, intelligence, and pride. Some believe them to represent the 18 hills.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
There is no reference of Ayyappa in ancient religious texts but Shasta, another name of his is found in the Puranas and has been used in the Mahabharat for Shiv.
   
About 800 years ago, after the fall of the extensive Pandya Empire, King Raj Shekhar of the Pandya dynasty reined the Pandalam region. He is considered as the father of Manikandan.
   
The existence of Ayyappa is said to be between 1125 and 1225 A.D. according to local beliefs.
   
In 1820 A.D. the region came under the control of Travancore kingdom. However, the king of Travancore maintained the rights of Pandalam kings and they continued to be caretakers of the temple.
   
A fire in 1950 A.D. damaged the idol and the temple. As a result the stone idol was replaced by a Panch-dhatu (5-metals) idol and the Havankund (sacred fire-place) was also moved some distance from the temple.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
 
On the 18 hills surrounding the Shabrimala Temple, temples of various other Gods and Goddesses are situated that the tourists like to visit.
Ayyappa Temple:
 
This is an east-facing temple on a plateau with a 1.5 feet idol of Lord Ayyappa. Also situated in the south-west corner are the idols of Ganpati and Nagraj. To the east of the temple is the Pathinettapadi (18 steps). The temple is built based on the unique Malayali architecture. Lord Ayyappa is bathed with ghee brought by the devotees.
    
Mallikapuram Devi Temple:
 
She is considered as the power (Shakti) of Ayyappa and an incarnation of Meenakshi Devi. It is believed that the Devi comes up in the hope of a marriage with Ayyappa and comes down the mountain after the Makar-Vilakku festival. This temple is about 100 metres to the north-west of the Ayyappa Temple. The Devi is made an offering of new clothes.
    
Babar Temple:
 
Babar was a Muslim dacoit who was defeated by Ayyappa and who later became a devotee of Ayyappa. Situated next to the Pathinettapadi, in this temple without a door, betel nuts and dry fruits are offered.
    
Ganpati Temple:
 
Close to the Ayyappa Temple, this Ganpati Temple is an attraction for devotees.
   
Pampa River:
 
It is considered as sacred as the Ganga. A bath in the river is mandatory before the devotees can climb the Shabrimala.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Makar Vilakku:
 
This renowned festival starts on Makar Sankranti and lasts for seven days. The idol of Ayyappa was established in Shabrimala on this day. It is also the first day of the Malayali New Year.
   
Onam:
 
Like the other parts of the state, here too Onam is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Varah, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu, and him asking for land from King Bali.
   
Mandalam Puja:
 
It is the biggest festival here starting from mid-November to mid-January. The number of tourists visiting during this period is the highest.
   
Maasik (monthly) Puja:
 
The temple remains open on the first five days of the Malayali calendar. The schedule for this year is as follows:
 
Monthly Puja
Malayali date (every year)
 Temple opening  31 Medam
 Temple closing  5 Edavam
 Temple opening  28 Edavam
 Temple closing  29 Edavam
 Temple opening  31 Edavam
 Temple closing  5 Midhunam
 Temple opening  31 Midhunam
 Temple closing  5 Karkadakam
 Temple opening  32 Karkadakam
 Temple closing  5 Chingam
 Temple opening  30 Chingam
 Temple closing  5 Kanni
 Temple opening  30 Kanni
 Temple closing  5 Thulam
 Temple opening  11 Thulam
 Temple closing  12 Thulam
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 Travancore Devashram Board  Nathankode
 Tiruvanantpuram, Kerala - 695 003
 Tel: 0471 - 2316963 / 2317983
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Mayfair Lodge
 Address
 Kanangiri Junction, Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala
 Telephone
 +91 - 468 - 2322894
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Manil Regency
 Address
 Stadium Near College Road, Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala
 Telephone
 +91 - 468 - 2320364
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Ashoka International
 Address
 Opp. State Bank of Travancore, College Road,
 Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala
 Telephone
 +91 - 468 - 2324927
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hay Day Hotel
 Address
 Near KSRTC Bus Stop, Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala
 Telephone
 +91 - 468 - 2222621
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Mariam Lodge
 Address
 Near KSRTC Bus Stop, Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala
 Telephone
 +91 - 468 - 2223083
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Bessota International
 Address
 Tiruvalla, Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala
 Telephone
 +91 - 469 - 2631224
 Web Site  www.bessota.com
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Mampra Homestay
 Address
 Near KSRTC Bus Stand, Opp. PDCB Head Office,
 Dist. Patanamthitta, Kerala - 689 645
 Telephone
 +91 - 468 - 2222645
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  1260 metres  1938 mm
 9.3˚ N  770˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul  Aug  Sep   Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum 
 31
 31
 32 
32
31
29
 28 
 28 
29
29
29
 30 
 Minimum
 22
 23 
 25 
26
25
24
23
23
23
23
23
23
   
 
Important Informations
A part of the Sahyadri mountain range in Kerala, the Shabrimala Mountain is in the midst of 18 hills and dense forests. The holy Pamba River flows at a distance of 4 km from here.
Due to its location near the equator, it faces Doldrum Effects. The monsoon also arrives in the first week of June. As a result, heat and humidity is a unique feature here.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 04735
 Puja Timings  4.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m. - 11 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  Tel: +91 - 4735 - 202 014
 Hospital/Ambulance   General Hospital, Patanamthitta,
 Tel: +91 - 468 - 2223675
 District Hospital, Kozhencherry,
 Tel: +91 - 468 - 2212255
 Currency  Exchange    Bank of Baroda, P.B. No 78, College Road,  Patanamthitta,  Kerala - 689 645
 Tel: +91 - 468 - 2225071
 State Bank of India
 Market Road, Thiruvalla, Patanamthitta,
 Kerala - 689 101
 Tel: +91 - 469 - 2635276
 ATM Centre  ICICI Bank, CSI Ascension Square,
 Collectorate - Railway Station Road, Collectorate,  Kottayam - 686 001
 HDFC, Unity Building, Opp. M. D. Commercial Centre,
 K. K. Road,
 Kottayam - 686 002, Kerala.
 Post Office
 Kottayam Collectorate, Kottayam Taluka,
 Dist. Kottayam, PIN - 686 002
 Tel: +91 - 4812 - 560 510
 Tourist Office
  DTPC, Collectorate Building, Civil Station,   Patanamthitta.
 Tel: +91 - 468 - 2229952
   
 
Food
Pilgrims to Shabrimala arrange for their own food. Other tourists can enjoy traditional South Indian food at Pirmed. Coconut chutney, Idli and Coconut Sweets are very popular.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconsabrimala.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Madurai
Tiruanantpuram
Kochi
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Madurai Jn.  MDU
 Rameshwaram  RMM
 Tiruanantpuram  TVC
 Kanyakumari  CAPE
 Kochi  KOCHI
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Madurai  Kochi
232 Km
 Rameshwaram  Kochi
297 Km
 Tiruanatpuram  Kochi
126 Km
 Shabrimala
 Kochi
142 Km
 Tiruanantpuram
160 Km
  Kanyakumari  Madurai
236 Km
 Rameshwaram
281 km

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