Sabarimala Temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Sabarimala is one of the most visited temples in India, and it attracts millions of devotees every year. The temple is known for its unique traditions and rituals, and it is also known as the "Kumbhamela of the South."

History

The history of Sabarimala Temple is intertwined with the legends and myths of the region, as well as the historical and cultural developments that have shaped the temple over time. Here is a brief history of Sabarimala Temple:

Mythological Legends:

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala Temple, was born as the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The story goes that the demon Mahishi, who had been terrorizing the gods, was killed by Lord Ayyappa. However, Mahishi's sister, Surpanakha, sought revenge and attacked Lord Ayyappa. In the ensuing battle, Lord Ayyappa was wounded and was tended to by a group of tribal women who lived in the forest. These women, known as the Mallikapurathu Amma, became the protectors of the temple and are worshipped as the Goddess Malikapurathamma.

Historical Developments:

The history of Sabarimala Temple can be traced back to the 12th century, when the region was ruled by the Pandalam dynasty. The Pandalam kings were ardent devotees of Lord Ayyappa and played a key role in developing the temple and the surrounding region.

In the 18th century, the temple was renovated by King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, who added several structures and made significant improvements to the temple complex.

During the British colonial era, the temple came under the control of the Travancore royal family and was managed by the Devaswom Board. The Devaswom Board is a statutory body that is responsible for managing several temples in the state of Kerala.

In 1950, the temple faced a major crisis when a group of devotees tried to enter the temple carrying dalits or members of the lower castes. This led to a backlash from the upper-caste Brahmin priests who threatened to close the temple. However, the state government intervened and ensured that the temple remained open to people of all castes.

In recent years, the temple has been at the center of controversy over the entry of women of menstrual age into the temple. In 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the entry ban was unconstitutional and discriminatory. However, the ruling sparked protests from devotees and conservative groups, and the issue is still unresolved.

Architecture of Sabarimala Temple

Sabarimala Temple is a fine example of the traditional architecture of Kerala. The temple is made of stone and granite and has a rectangular structure. It has four main entrances, and the sanctum sanctorum is located on the eastern side of the temple.

The main idol in the temple is that of Lord Ayyappa, which is made of Panchaloha, a combination of five metals. The idol is adorned with gold and precious stones. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh, who is believed to be the remover of obstacles.

The temple is surrounded by several smaller shrines and has several sanctums, including the main sanctum, which houses the idol of Lord Ayyappa. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to the Goddess Malikapurathamma and several other deities.

Unique Traditions and Rituals followed here at Sabarimala Temple

Sabarimala Temple is famous for its unique traditions and rituals, which attract millions of devotees every year. The temple is open for worship only during certain periods of the year, which are known as the Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku seasons. The temple is closed for worship during the rest of the year.

Traditions and Rituals

Sabarimala Temple is famous for its unique traditions and rituals. One of the most significant traditions is the 41-day Vratham or penance that the devotees undertake before visiting the temple. During this period, the devotees observe celibacy, practice abstinence, and follow a vegetarian diet. They also wear black or blue clothes, and they refrain from cutting their hair or nails.

Another significant tradition is the Makaravilakku festival, which is celebrated every year on January 14th. The festival is celebrated to mark the sighting of the Makarajyothi, which is a divine light that appears on the horizon of the Ponnambalamedu hill. It is believed that the light is a manifestation of Lord Ayyappa.

The temple also has strict entry rules, which prohibit women of menstruating age (between 10 and 50 years) from entering the temple. This tradition has been a subject of controversy, and it has been challenged in court several times. In 2018, the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban on women of all ages entering the temple, but the decision was met with protests from some devotees.

Architecture of Sabarimala Temple

The Sabarimala Temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture, and it is surrounded by a dense forest. The temple has a rectangular structure, and it is made of stone and granite. The temple has four main entrances, and it is surrounded by a wall that has 18 golden steps, which represent the 18 hills that surround the temple.

The temple has several sanctums, including the main sanctum, which houses the idol of Lord Ayyappa. The idol is made of Panchaloha, which is a combination of five metals, and it is adorned with gold and precious stones. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh, who is believed to be the remover of obstacles.

Tourism

Sabarimala Temple is a popular tourist destination, and it attracts millions of devotees every year. The temple is open to visitors from November to January, which is the peak season. During this time, the temple receives a large number of visitors, and it is crowded. The temple is surrounded by a dense forest, and it is located on a hill, which adds to its charm.

The temple is accessible by road, and it is located about 190 kilometers from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest airport is located in Kochi, which is about 160 kilometers away. The temple is also accessible by train, and the nearest railway station is located in Chengannur, which is about 90 kilometers away.

How to reach Sabarimala Temple Kerala

Sabarimala Temple is located in the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala, India, and it is one of the most visited temples in the country. Here are some ways to reach Sabarimala Temple:

By Air: The nearest airport to Sabarimala Temple is Cochin International Airport, which is located about 160 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Sabarimala Temple is Chengannur, which is located about 90 kilometers away. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.

By Road: Sabarimala Temple is well-connected by road, and it is accessible from all major cities in Kerala. The temple is located about 190 kilometers from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Thiruvananthapuram to reach the temple.

During the pilgrimage season, the state government operates special buses from various cities in Kerala to Sabarimala Temple. Private taxis and buses are also available for hire.

Interesting Facts about Sabarimala Temple Kerala

Sabarimala Temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in India, located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, who is considered to be the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Sabarimala Temple attracts millions of devotees every year, and it is famous for its unique traditions and rituals. Here are some interesting facts about Sabarimala Temple:

Sabarimala Temple is one of the few temples in India that is open to people of all religions and castes. However, there are certain restrictions on the entry of women of menstrual age.

The temple is located at an altitude of 468 meters above sea level, and it is surrounded by dense forests.

The temple is open for worship only during certain periods of the year, which are known as the Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku seasons. The temple is closed for worship during the rest of the year.

Sabarimala Temple is famous for its 41-day Vratham or penance, which is observed by the devotees before visiting the temple. During this period, the devotees observe celibacy, practice abstinence, and follow a vegetarian diet.

The temple has a strict dress code, and the devotees are required to wear black or blue clothes during the Vratham period.

Sabarimala Temple is surrounded by 18 hills, and the temple itself is located on a hill known as Sabari Malai.

The temple has a rectangular structure and is made of stone and granite. It has four main entrances, and the sanctum sanctorum is located on the eastern side of the temple.

The main idol in the temple is that of Lord Ayyappa, which is made of Panchaloha, a combination of five metals. The idol is adorned with gold and precious stones.

Sabarimala Temple is famous for the Makaravilakku festival, which is celebrated on the day of Makar Sankranti in January. The festival is celebrated to mark the sighting of the Makarajyothi, a divine light that appears on the horizon of the Ponnambalamedu hill.

The temple has a strict entry rule that prohibits women of menstruating age from entering the temple. This tradition has been a subject of controversy, and it has been challenged in court several times.

The Sabarimala Temple is believed to have been founded by the great sage Parashurama, who is also known as the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The temple is visited by millions of devotees every year, and it is one of the busiest pilgrimage destinations in the world.

The temple has several sanctums, including the main sanctum, which houses the idol of Lord Ayyappa. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh, who is believed to be the remover of obstacles.

The temple has a unique tradition of using elephants during the annual pilgrimage season. The elephants are used to carry the idols of Lord Ayyappa and the Goddess Malikapurathamma.

The temple is surrounded by a dense forest, which is home to several species of animals and birds, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and peafowl.

Sabarimala Temple is accessible by road, and it is located about 190 kilometers from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest airport is located in Kochi, which is about 160 kilometers away.