SABARIMALA TEMPLE TO OPEN ON WEDNESDAY-16 NOVEMBER, 2011
The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will be opened today afternoon for the two-month annual Mandalam- Makaravilakku pilgrimage that begins on Wednesday,16th November,2011, the first day in the Malayalam month of Vrishcikom. Over 30 million pilgrims, mostly from the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka trek to the hill every year to offer worship to Lord Sreedharama Sastha.
According to temple officials here, elaborate arrangements have been made to manage flow of devotees at 'Sannidhanam' atop Sabarimala and the base camp on the banks of River Pampa.
The 41-day first phase of the pilgrimage is known as 'Mandala pooja', followed by 'Makaravilakku,' culminating in mid-January. Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed for security and crowd management during the pilgrimage.
During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non vegetarian food and carnal pleasures. Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi kettu containing traditional offerings.Unlike certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty.The easiest route is via Chalakkayam, by which one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.
Prof. John Kurakar
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