Thursday 23 July 2009

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples. This is one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. It is believed that Lord Parasurama consecrated the deity of the temple at the foot of Sabari hills to which reference has been made in Ramayana. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh but also from the other part of the country and abroad. The unique feature of the temple is that it is open for people of all faiths and many Non-Hindus conduct pilgrimage to this temple. The secular aspect of the temple is best exemplified by the existence of the "Vavar nada" in honour of a Muslim Saint at the close proximity to the main temple (Ayyappa Swami temple) at Sabarimala by the side of Holy Pathinettampadi (Holy Eighteen steps). The pilgrims worship in this place also. The pilgrims on their sojourn to Sabarimala worship at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha temple and conduct "Petta Thullal". They also worship in the mosque at Erumeli as a part of their pilgrimage. Ayyappa cult gives much importance for the secularism and communal harmony and has turn out to be a model for the whole world. Another significant aspect of the pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor, learned or illiterate holding position or not master or servant, are all equal before LORD AYYAPPA and all address each other as AYYAPPA.

The divine qualities like equality fraternity, tolerance, humanity etc. are shining well in the pilgrims.

Sabarimala temple complex mainly comprises of the Holy Eighteen Steps (PONNU PATHINETTAM PADI) in the front side for ascending to the upper thirumuttom, the main temple of SREE DHARMA SASTHA, shrines of KANNIMEL GANAPTHY and NAGARAA. In the upper thirumuttom, VAVAR SWAMY (a Muslim saint) and KARUPPA SWAMY in the lower thirumuttom by the side of Pathinettampadi and temple of SREE MALIKAPURAM DEVI, NAVA GRAHA DEVAS, KADUTHA SWAMY, MALANADAYIL BHAGAVATHY NAGA DEVAS and MANI MANDAPAM about 50 meters away on the north western side assemble through fly-over from the uppers thirumuttom of the Sastha temple. Bhasma kulam is the lower ground on the western side of the temple. The pilgrims with IRU MUDI KETTU alone are permitted to ascend the Holy Eighteen Steps Entry to the temple for all other is through the steps on the northern side.

The pilgrims with Irumudi kettu have to come in queue through the barcodes in the Nadapandal area for ascending the holy eighteen steps. Breaking of coconuts is to be done only in the space provided for it in the lower side of Pathinettampady (holy 18 steps) and it should not be done on any of the steps of pathinettam pady. After ascending to the upper thirumuttom the pilgrims have to proceed through the flyover around the temple on the left side and can have the DARSAN of the LORD AYYAPPA SWAMY in front of the Sree Kovil in queue and have the Kannimel Ganapathy and Nagaraja and from there through the flyover to the Malikappuram temple for Darsan and return to lower Thirumuttom on the northern side.

For Ghee Abhishekom tickets have to be taken for each ‘Ghee filled Coconut (Each Mudra)’ for Abhishekom. The Abhishekom ghee collected in a vessel should be taken to the Sapanam in queue through the barricades provided for the purpose on the northern side, with the tickets relating to the number of ‘Mudras’ empties in the vessel. Details of ticket counters etc, are given separately. Facilities are also available for handing over the Mudra (coconut containing the Ghee Abhishekom) at this counter and getting prasadom ghee (AADIYA SISHTAM GHEE) from that counter if the devotee so desires.

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