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Sabarimala temple thrown open to public
Pathanamthitta
(Kerala): The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala was thrown
open on Tuesday afternoon for the annual Mandalam Makaravilakku pilgrim
season beginning on Wednesday. During the pilgrimage period, devotees
of Lord Ayyappa adorn a black cloth and take at least 41 days "vratham"
(fasting period) for the holy visit. It is a period of abstinence, and
total devotion to God. It all begins with the ritual of wearing the rudraksha
mala, said Radhakrishnan Nampoothiri, head priest of the temple. The Ayyappas
visit the temple with Erumudi Kettu (offerings) consisting of ghee bottled
in coconut and rice. The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and
ends in January. The unique feature of the temple is that it opens to
people of all faiths and many non-Hindus conduct pilgrimages to this temple.
The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India,
but also from other parts of the country and abroad. Legend says that
"Parasurama Maharshi" who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his
axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship the Lord.
-Nov 15, 2005
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