9. SABARIMALA: A MIRACLE PLACE

by M. M. DIVAKARAN

Most believers of Lord Ayyappa feel that they should go to Sabarimala darshan at least once in their life time to fulfill a sacred duty. Sabarimala Shri Dharma Sasta (Lord Ayyappa) temple is situated of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala and is 1556 feet above sea level, which is surrounded by 18 holy hills. Temple stands 25 feet height from the ground level. Every year Mandala-Makaravilakku festival commences on 16th November and ends on January 14th.

Sabarimala is named after Sabari, a tribal woman, mentioned in the Ramayana, who did thapas on Sabari hill and attained salvation after her meeting with Shri Ram. As per the legend Ayyappa is the son of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) when Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, so Ayyappa is known as Hariharaputhran. Ayyappa is also regarded as the incarnation of Dharma Sastha (one who preaches and upholds Dharma). Historically, Ayyappa was an adopted prince of Raja of Pandalam. Historians say that the idol of Ayyappa has great similarity to the idol of Buddha in the form and gestures and chanting of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” is also to be an adaptation of “Buddham Saranam Gachhami”. There is mention about Bhoothanatha/Sastha in Brahmapurana and the name of Sasta occurs in Mahabharata also. As Ayyappa is `Brahmachari’ women under the age group of 10 to 50 are not allowed to climb up the Pathinettampadi (Holy Eighteen Steps). Holy Eighteen Steps represent 18 holy hills in the `Poonkavanam' (Holy Forest), 18 Puranas, 18 Chapters of Bhagavad Gita. Kurukshetra war lasted for 18 days. It is also linked with 5 Indriyas, 8 Ragas, 3 Gunas and 2 Vasanas.

On the eve of the pilgrimage, during a special ceremony called kettumurrukku held at home in a pandal made of banana trees and coconut leaves, the pilgrim prepares his headload known as irumudi which is a cotton bag with two compartments. The front part of the irumudi contains a coconut filled with pure melted ghee from cow's milk which is the main offering to the Lord Ayyappa. The back part of the bag contains other items - say from salt to camphor!

After the hazardous 6-km walking on the forest road from Pamba, Neelimala breaks the devotee breaks a coconut carried in the irumudi before climbing on to the pathinettampadi (Eighteen Golden Steps). Breaking of the coconut in itself is a spiritual act - the shell of the coconut represents the material body and kernel, the immaterial; the water represents the soul. On reaching the 18th steps, the devotee realises the meaning of "Thathwamasi" - That You Are.

Sabarimala was once under the regime of the Pandalam dynasty. So there can be a mythical history for Sabarimala of Ayyappa and Pandalam dynasty. Ancestors of the Pandalam Royal family came to Kerala in Malayalam Era 79 (904 AD) from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. They fled from Madurai following the threat to their lives posed by intrigue of their own ministers. On reaching Pandalam after several sojourns en route, the family was helped by rulers of Venad to settle down. One group settled down in Punjar (Kottayam District) and the other in Pandalam. The then ruler of Venad helped them establish the Kingdom of Pandalam. The royal family of Pandalam belongs to the 'Bhargava Gothra' while other Kshatriya families in Kerala belong to the 'Viswamithra Gothra'. Secularism was one of the prime principles of Pandalam dynasty. The period of Ayyappa is considered to be somewhere between 1125-1225 A.D.

The striking significance of the beliefs about Sabarimala is the absence of the touch-me-not-ism. All are equal in Sabarimala. Even the Ayyappa and the devotee are known by the same name - either Ayyappa or Swami. It is only one temple in the world, with doors open to all, whatever be their beliefs. The triumvirate of Ayyappa - a Hindu; Vavar - a Muslim; and Kochu Thomman - a Christian speaks this factual truth.

Adi Sankara the exponent of Advaita philosophy lived in the 8thC AD. 'Mantras' of Sree Dharma Sastha mentioned in the puja book "Maha Sasthru Puja Kalpadrumam" has been written by Adi Sankara.

The Miracles in connection with Sabarimala:

While historical "Petta Thullal" (a kind of ritual dance applying sintoor, kukum etc. on the body) takes place on January 11th between 11.30 to 12.00 noon at Erumeli by Ambalappuzha group, an eagle appears in the sky. While another Petta Thullal performs by Alangattu group on the same day in the afternoon an unique Star glitters in the sky.

While the "Thiruvaabharanam" (the boxes contain the golden ornaments of Ayyappa) takes out from Pandalam Valiya Koikkal Sastha temple to Sabarimala on January 12th an eagle takes round top of the temple. As the procession reaches at Sabarimala on January 14th, in the evening an eagle will hover over it, guiding it directly to the Sanctum Sanctorum and then it mysteriously disappears.

On the day of Makara Sankranti on January 14th after the Deeparathana in the evening an unique flame appears three times on the horizon in the north-eastern side of the Ponnambalamedu an adjacent mountain top called Kantamala. This is called Makara Jyoti. At that time an unique Star glitters in the sky which is known as Makara Nakshatra or Makara Star.

Every year approximately 4-5 crores pilgrims visit Sabarimla. This indicates that a better management system is needed in Sabarimala than past years to control the pilgrims in future.

(Makaravilakku / Makara Sankranti is on 14th January)

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