Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala (Kerala)

Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala Overview

The Sabarimala Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is one of the most renowned and prominent temples of all the Sastha temples. This temple is significant not only for its religious elements but also because of the cultural, societal and cultural elements attached to it. This is perhaps why this is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world; which attracts over 100 million devotees each year.

The temple is unique in the sense that it follows a liberal approach, allowing entry to devotees of all castes and religions. Every pilgrim is given the status of "Ayyappa" which maintains the actual spirit of "Tattvamasi" or "That is you". It means that the devotees are forms of God themselves.

Located in the Western Ghats of the Pathanamthitta District in Kerala, the Sabarimala Temple is situated on a hilltop, amongst 18 other hills, at the height of about 4,000 feet above sea level. To the left of this temple is a place dedicated to the Vavar, who was a Sufi and friend of Lord Ayyappa. This place is called 'Vavarunada' and is considered to be the epitome of religious harmony. The devotees begin their trek to the revered temple with utmost dedication and sincerity at the dawn of the Vrichikam month. Those who have undertaken the journey would avow that the pilgrimage to Sabarimala requires mind power, physical stamina, devotion and determination and is indeed a tricky one taken through trying and testing paths.

Sabarimala Temple History

The worship of Sastha, a Hindu deity, is an essential part of the ancient history of South India. There are thus a number of Sastha temples located in South India and also all across the globe. As per history, the temple at Sabarimala is one of the five Sastha temples that were founded by Lord Parasurama, the other four being located at Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Achankovil Shastha Temple and Poonambala Medu. At Sabarimala, the Sastha Lord is worshipped as Ayyappan or Dharmasasta.

It is believed that the prince of the Pandalam dynasty, who was an avatar of Lord Ayyappan, meditated at the Sabarimala temple and ultimately became one with the Divine. The place where he meditated is now the Manimandapam. Even after the temple was installed, it was mostly unreachable for the religious devotees for about three hundred years. It was only in the 12th century when the Tamil king, Rajasekhara Pandiyan, rediscovered the original path to reach the sacred spot that the temple was renovated and became a famous pilgrimage site.

Sabarimala Temple Structure

The main temple stands majestically on a 40 feet high plateau and comprises of a sanctum sanctorum with a copper plated roof and four golden finials, two mandapams and a flag staff. The main staircase to the Sabarimala Temple is made up of 18 sacred steps, with the temples of Karuppu Sami and Kadutha Swami, two of Lord Ayyappan's trusted lieutenants, positioned at the foot as guards.

The complex also houses the Pampa Ganapathi temple, Nilakal Mahadeva temple and Palliyara Bhagavathi temple. The temple of Malikappurath Amma, who is considered to be as important as Lord Ayyappa himself, is also located nearby. In 1950, the temple was ruined by a mysterious fire that is believed to have been the doings of radical Christian extremists. Following this, the temple was rebuilt, and the original stone image was replaced by a 1.5 feet high panchaloha idol, made of an alloy of 5 sheets of steel.

Sabarimala Temple Pilgrimage

The pilgrims follow a peculiar custom called Vratham for 41 days before the excursion. It involves strict maintenance of diet free from meat and alcohol, wearing of mala or rudraksha, following celibacy, no cutting of hair or nails and no smoking. They are required to wear plain traditional blue or black coloured clothes.

The pilgrimage that leads up to this temple requires immense perseverance and sacrifice. The traditional mountainous forest path, which leads to the temple, is 61 kilometres long. These days, people prefer to use vehicles to reach the Pamba river, which is somewhere in the path, and then begin the trekking up the steep mountain. The route is highly developed and well maintained, as compared to the earlier way which was just a trail amidst the dense forests. The route now has emergency shops and medical aid. Supporting aid is available to help the pilgrims climb the path, and elderly pilgrims are lifted by men on bamboo chairs for a nominal sum.

Women formerly did not visit the temple due to the hardships that they had to face in the journey. However, in 1991, the entry of women between the ages of 10 to 50 was banned during any period of the year. Police forces ensure that the order to ban entry is implemented and complied with, without any violations.

Sabarimala Temple Opening Dates

Unlike other temples, the Sabarimala temple is not open throughout the year and opens up for worship only on specific days. These include the days of the Madalpooja, which happens around 15 November and lasts until 26 December, on Makara Sankranti (14 January) and on Maha Vishuva Sankranti (14 April). The temple is also open on the first five days of each Malayalam month.

Sabarimala Temple Timings

On the days when the temple is open to the general public, the hours of the temple are 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM. However, during peak seasons, the timings are often altered to accommodate the vast number of pilgrims.

You can check the full schedule for the temple at http://www.ayyappatemple.in/temple-calendar.htm

Stay Near Ayyappa Temple

A number of guesthouses are available at Pampa and Sabarimala, which offer decent and affordable accommodation to the devotees. Rooms here start at INR 350 and go up to around INR 2000. Some of these accommodations include GKD Hall, Pushkala Hall, Sabari Guest House and Forest Dormitory.

Tips For Visiting Ayyappa Temple

1. An ID card with name, address and telephone number should be hung around the necks of children and aged people, to help in case they get lost in the crowd.
2. Using mobile phones at the temple premises is not advisable.
3. Carrying plastic carry bags beyond Nilakkal is prohibited.
4. Do not throw burned wood or camphor around carelessly as they may lead to forest fires.

How To Reach Ayyappa Temple

Pilgrims who are travelling by rail can reach Kottayam and Chengannur, and then reach Pampa by road, while those coming by air can reach Thiruvananthapuram or Nedumbassery, and then arrive at Pampa by rail/route. For the convenience of the Sabarimala pilgrims, KSRTC has started operating buses to Coimbatore, Palani and Thenkasi from Pampa. A chain service of buses also exists between Pampa and Nilackal base camps.