It's a time to witness presence of Lord Ayyappa blessing his devotees at SabarimalaSabarimala is one pilgrimage destination in Kerala, India that does not discriminate between devotees belonging to different castes, creeds or color. What it does call for from its devotees in India and abroad is a return to austerity and reenactment of penance.
Penance that Sabari endured in order to meet Lord Ram and be able to worship and feed him like the people belonging to upper 'refined' caste could.
The Sabarimala Temple is considered to be very sacred by the Hindus and is said to be associated with a popular ancient legend according to which the great sage Parasurama who lifted Kerala with his axe and prevented it from sinking into the sea, established the idol of Lord Ayappa at the spot where the temple stands today.
Sabari Hills, the Secred aboard of Lord Ayyappa, is thronged by millions of devotees throughout the year, particularly during the Mandalam period. On the first day of 4th month of malayalam
calendar, the pilgrims commences a well defined preparatory routine of austerities enduring for a "Mandalam" of 41 days. The emphasis is to give up all materialistic desires and surrender oneself to the thought of Lord- a sort of penance from the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly The accosting of "Maala" symplices the invoking of the Lord into the pilgrims' hearts. The pilgrims lead a simple life in uniform grab of black and dark blue colors. These and unkempt, unshaven face signify immersing one's Ego in sacred anonymity. During the
period the devotees greets each other as "Swami Saranam" to be reciprocated by"Ayyappa Saranam
The Holi river Pumba is considered to be sacred as the Ganga. A holi dip in the river before proceeding to the hills is an experience itself.
The common offering to the Lord is ghee filled coconut. The hard shell of the coconut signifies how stubborn are our desires for worldly life, the sweet fruit inside signifies how serene is our heart and filling it with pure ghee signifies our true love for the God.
What so special about "Makara Sankranthi" (around 14th January)
Every year at the time of Makara Sankranthi, I will wake up from my meditation and open my eyes to see the world. At that time you may adorn my idol with all the ornaments that you have made for my coronation ceremony and Makara Jyoti will appear in the Ponnambala Medu." Said Ayyappa swami to King Rajashekara at the time of entering into meditation at Ponnambala Medu.
"Makara Sankranthi" (around 14th January) day is the most auspicious day at Sabarimala. The Jewel Casket is carried on head from the ancestral residence of the royal family of Panthalam to the Shrine on this day. A Garuda, the Brahaman kite, follows this ornaments-carrying procession, hovering about in the sky, After these ornaments are worn on the Lord the bird circles the temple in the sky three times and disappears. Excited by this sight the devotees begin to chant "Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa".
A Star(Uthram Nakshathra) that can never been seen in the sky appears on the day of Makarajyothi before the sighting of the Jyoti. A Jyoti is seen for a little time on the hill top showing the presence of Swamy Ayyappan gracing his devotees. "SWAMIYE SARANAMAYYAPPA
posted by Rishil Babu @ 9:24 PM,
1 Comments:
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At 4:54 AM,
said...
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Excellent article!!!
