Sabarimala Festival
For
centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre attracting
lakhs of devotees 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.
The temple is tucked away in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats and
can be reached only by foot. Pilgrims have to traipse through the narrow tracks
in thick forests infested with wild animals.
Pilgrims to Sabarimala is seasonal ( November to January). Those wishing
to perform pilgrimage have to undergo forty-one day’s penance consisting
of strict celibacy, daily ablutions and daily prayers. Early mornings and
evenings in the festival season Kerala villagers will be reverberating with
dedication calls of Ayyappa devotees. The festival mood reaches its crescendo
on Makara Vilaku day( January 14, the most important day in the festival).
The day synch with the day of Sankramom (crossing of the sun from Dhakshinayana
to the Uttarayana).
On the said day, lakhs of pilgrims( each one called an Ayyappa), flock the
shrine for worship. On that evening they descry Makara Vilakku, appearance
of a strange light in the distant hill indicating the presence of God and
return ennobled and strengthened in spirit.
Situated not far from the is a shrine in the name of Vavar, a Muslim, who
was thought to be a close aide of Sri Ayyappa. It is a rare experience to
see the Hindu devotees worshipping at the shrine of Vavar indicating the communal
harmony in Kerala.
Festivals in Kerala
Onam || Sabarimala
Festival || Nehru
Trophy Boat Race || Aaranmula
Boat Race || Cochin
Carnival || Muharram
|| Malabar Mahotsavam
|| Swathi Festival
|| Aarattu || Jagannatha
Festival || Aattachamayam
|| Indira Gandhi
Boat Race || Thirunakara
Festival || Vettukadu
Perunal || Nisha
Gandhi Dance Festival || Oachirakkali
|| Easter || Thrissur
Puram || Aranmula
Uthrittathi || Chittur
Konganpada || Maramon
Convention || Nellikulangara
Vallanghi Vela || Thiruvathira
Festival || Oaachira
Kettukazhcha || Nilamperoor
Padayani || Ramadan
|| Makaravillakku
at Sabarimala || Kerala
Village fair || Kalapathy
Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav )
