Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a pilgrim center in Kerala, situated atop 18 hills and the main diety here is Lord Ayyappan. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 1260 m/4135 ft. above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples existed in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. Sabarimala is reported to be the second largest pilgrimage center in the world after Haj in Meca.

The Legend Behind Sabarimala
Lord Ayyappan is worshipped in a number of shrines across India : at Kulathupuzha, in Kerala, he is worshipped as a child; at Achenkovil in conjunction with his consorts, Pushkala and Poorna; and at Sabarimala as an ascetic, a celibate meditating in solitude for the benefit of all mankind. The word Ayyappa is derived from two words Ayya - meaning Vishnu and Appa -meaning Shiva. He is also known as Dharmasastha, Hariharasuthan, Manikantan (also knowns as manikanta)

The Life of Lord Ayyappa : Ayyapan was born out of a crisis that overtook the gods. The asura princess Mahishi was burning up with anger at the dirty trick the gods had pulled on her brother the asura king Mahisasura. Lord Ayyappan had His human sojourn as the son of the Raja (King) of Pandalam . At that time, Raja Rajasekhara ruled the kingdom of Pandalam (circa 1200 AD). During one of his hunting expeditions, the Raja was puzzled to hear the wails of a child on the banks of the river Pampa . He moved in the direction of the voice to find a resplendent infant there. The beautiful baby with radiant face wore a bell around his neck, hence the name Manikantan ("Mani", means bell and "kantan" means wearer around the neck) Manikantan was born of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara (Lord Shiva), with Hari assuming the form of a female (Mohini). The King, though pious, charitable, just, and God-fearing had no children. He accepted the child as God's gracious response to his fervent prayer for an heir to his throne. Manikantan was given proper education and training and he grew into a boy well versed in academic lore and martial arts of the time (Kalaripayattu). The Cheerappanchira kalari at Muhamma, in Alappuzha District was responsible for his training in the martial arts. Meanwhile the Rani (Queen) gave birth to a son, however the King regarded Manikantan as his elder son and decided to crown him as the Yuvaraja (heir). Manikantan entered the forest to fulfill his divine duty, to rid the world of Mahishi (the demoness). Manikantan killed the beast, and released a beautiful woman who had been cursed to become Mahishi. The young woman asked Ayyappan for His hand in marriage, but he declined, being a celibate. However He promised that she would be visited by pilgrims and would be housed next to His temple, but promised that if the number of pilgrims visiting Him stopped, then he would marry her (however the number of pilgrims increases every year). Hence She is now worshiped as Maalikapurathamma. There is also another version of this story. It is believed that Maalikapurathamma was a young girl in Cheerappanchira family where Ayyappan was trained for Kalari (martial arts). The later sounds realistic.

Pilgrimage : The Pandala Raja constructed a small temple, 18 steps above the ground (to avoid forest animals from coming in, since the temple is in the heart of the forest). The 18 steps and the temple have in recent times been coated in gold. The vigraham (idol) is also coated in gold, and was inaugurated by Parashuram (incarnation of Maha Vishnu). The common cry heard during the pilgrimages to his shrine is "Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa!" ("Oh Swami, we take refuge in you"). Pilgrimage to Sabarimala begins from the 1st of Vrichikam, a Malayalam month coming in the middle of November (probably between 14-16). The most important day for Ayyappan is Makarasankranti Day, which is the 1st of Makara (a month of the Malayalam calendar). This day will fall between January 14-16. Currently millions of devotees come from all parts of India to Sabarimala for a glimpse of Lord Ayyappan, having undertaken 41 days of Vratham (austerities). In 2005, at least 50 million devotees made the pilgrimage to Sabarimala (from 1st Vrichikam to the 1st Makaram). On Makarasankranti , every year without fail, miraculous events occur.

Firstly as the jewels (Thiruvaabaranam) of the Lord are transported from the Old Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala, a Krishnaparanth (holy eagle) circles above the precious cargo, like a protector. This rare eagle is rarely seen in the midst of people for a long period of time, yet the auspicious bird follows the Thiruvaabaranam procession, finally circling above Sanithanam at Shabarimala nine times as it pays its respects to Lord Ayyappan. During this time, there is not a single star in the sky except for a special Nakshatram. When the jewels are finally all adorned on the Lord, the Nakshatram in the sky miraculously disappears, as all the Devas and Celestial beings leave the sky to get a glimpse of the Lord in all his splendor. Within moments of the Lord being adorned with the Thiruvabaranam, an effulgence appears in the opposite hills of Shabarimala, appearing 3 times. It is firmly believed that Lord Indra himself lights the divine efflugence. The devotees then climb the 18 holy gold steps to arrive at the sanidhanam where they finally get a glimpse of the Lord as Himself, in all beauty, Manikanta Shri Dharmasastha, adorned with jewels. It is believed that if one witnesses these events after having undertaken 41 days of severe austerities (Vratham), one can attain Moksha.

Women between the age of 10 and 50 are not allowed to visit the Lord Ayyappan Shrine. A number of feminist organizations have tried to persuade the Travancore Devaswom Board to revoke this age old tradition, but to no avail. Many reasons are cited by the Board in support of the decree; these include the 41-day penance imposed on pilgrims (which include wearing no `, abstaining from sex, non-vegetarian, and rajasic foods , wearing a unique black outfit (shirt and dhoti) with beads around the neck, practicing utmost cleanliness, not uttering any curses, etc.), the arduous trek up to the shrine, and the fact that the Ayyappan worshipped at Sabarimala is supposed to be a celibate hermit.