General Info

    About Sabarimala

          Sabarimala is a well-known pilgrim center. This place is also known as “Dekshina Kassi”. Since the saint Sabari had meditated on this hill. This place is known as Sabarimala. Sabarimala is situated about 75 KM northeast of Pathanamthitta town. Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple is situated here at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level. This holy place is isolated by other mountains and dense forest. The presidency deity of this temple is Lord Ayyappa. There are several shrines dedicated to him all along the Western Ghats.

     The most important festivals at Sabarimala are Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku and Chithira Vishu. Other temples are kept open for Darsan throughout the year. But Sabarimala Temple is kept open only for a few days. Five days for monthly poojas, 41 days for Mandalapooja, 20 days for Makaravilakku and 10 days for Chithira Vishu. The Mandalapooja festival commences from the first day of Vrichikam(Karthika) and ends on 41st day. The temple will be kept open continuously for 41days.

Pilgrims with “Irumudikkettu” on their head are alone permitted to track the Holy steps.  Two days before Mandalapooja, the “Thanka Anki” is taken out from Aranmula temple strong room and is brought up to Pampa in a decorated van and from Pampa to Sannidanam by head load. It is donated by Late His Highness The Maharaja of Travancore Sri. Padmanabhadasa Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma..

         The 'Thiruvabharanam' to be adorned on Makara Sankranthi day is donated to Lord by Pandalam Raja. It is kept safely in the strong room of Pandalam Royal family palace. Three days before the Makara Jyothi day it will be taken out by the eldest member of Pandalam Royal family from the strong room for “Thiruvabharana Procession” It will reach Sanctum Sanctorum before Deeparadhana on Makara Sankranthi day evening . All the “Thiruvabharanam” will be adorned to Lord Ayyappa before “Deeparadhana” on Makara Sankranthi day evening . All the “Thiruvabharanam” will be adorned to Lord Ayyappa before “Deeparadhana”.

          Makaravilakku marks the grand finale of the two-month period of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. This follows the arrival of 'Thiruvabharanam' from Pandalam to Sannidhanam. Three days prior to this , the procession carrying the holy caskets containing the sacred ornaments , as also other relics and paraphernalia needed for special poojas at Sabarimala , starts on its long trek from Pandalam. A scion of the Pandalam royal family , chosen and blessed by the Valiya Thampuran (Senior Raja) accompanies the procession in a palanquin (pallakku).

         The procession takes the age-old route through village roads, across rivers and up and down hills. The Raja (Thampuran) and other members are accorded reception at various places by various devotee-groups, including tribals

Mandala Pooja

            Mandala Pooja celebrations continues for a period of 41 days beginning from first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November-December) and culminating on eleventh day of Dhanu (December-January). During this period devotees make a pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. Mandala Pooja signifies 41 days of austerities. Vrutham or austerities is the essential component of Mandal Pooja and are strictly followed by the orthodox and traditional people.  Main Mandala pooja is conducted on the 41st day after the 1st of Vrichikam
           

 Makaravilakku

Makaravilakku marks the grand finale of the two-month period of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. This follows the arrival of 'Thiruvabharanam' from Pandalam to Sannidhanam. Three days prior to this , the procession carrying the holy caskets containing the sacred ornaments , as also other relics and paraphernalia needed for special poojas at Sabarimala , starts on its long trek from Pandalam. A scion of the Pandalam royal family , chosen and blessed by the Valiya Thampuran (Senior Raja) accompanies the procession in a palanquin (pallakku).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 and 16. The jewels (Thiruvaabaranam) of the Lord are transported from the Old Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala. When the jewels are finally all adorned on the Lord, the Nakshatram in the sky miraculously disappears. Within moments after the Lord being adorned with the Thiruvabaranam, an effulgence (Makara Jyoti) appears in the opposite hills of Shabarimala, shining 3 times. This hill is called Ponnambalamedu.