News

Makaravilakku

For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees to Kerala from all over India, more so from southern States. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. Darma Sastha is believed to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his Supreme Self, enshrined at Sabarimala.

Makaravilakku - When the Eagle Soars over the Lamp The holly hillock of Sabarimala witnesses a heavy rush on the eve of the Makaravilakku day as thousands of pilgrims turn up for the darshan of the Makarajyothi, the celestial light that is believed to appear on the eastern horizon of Sannidhanam. The route of the pilgrims is often regulated at Pampa to ease the pressure at Sannidhanam where thousands of pilgrims camp for days.

The pilgrims who participate in the Petta Thullal at Erumeli reach Pampa in different groups and prepare a feast on the banks of the river as per the custom known as the Pampa Sadya. Hundreds of pilgrims participate in the Sadya at Pampa Manalapuram.

When the Deeparadhana progresses inside the sanctum sanctorum, the Makarajyothi appear on the eastern horizon thrice to the spiritual solace of the thousands of devotees congregated at the holly hills. And with the lamp, soars Krishna Parunthu, the divine Eagle as sign of ominous future. This is a ritual that has been going on unbroken for generations.

The Thiruvabharanam which starts from Pandalam on 28th Dhanu , after scheduled halts at Ayroor-Puthiyakavu and Laha , reaches Saramkuthi on the third day evening (1st Makaram) and is ceremonially escorted to the sanctum sanctorum. When the Sreekovil opens for 'deeparadhana' , the Lord is seen in all His divine splendor, adorned with the jeweled gold ornaments .At the distant eastern hilly horizon , the light of 'jyothi' appears to the immense satisfaction of the thousands of devotees who have thronged to the temple to pay obeisance to the Lord. The occasion is also marked by the divine appearance of the 'star' in the eastern sky and the hovering 'krishnapparunthu' far above the temple. This marks the grand finale of the two-month period to the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

The Raja of Pandalam who stayed back at Pampa on 1st Makaram arrives at Sabarimala on 3rd Makaram.Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers for 'darshan' of the deity adorned with the holy ornaments and to obtain the blessings of the Raja. 'Darshan' on the morning of 7th Makaram is exclusively restricted to the Pandalam Raja, after which the temple will be closed and the Raja returns to Pandalam , taking the Thiruvabharanam with him.

   
eSynergy Software Technologies