Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa) Temple

Sabarimala, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala

Famous temples

About

The Sree Dharma Sastha temple at Sabarimala is the most famous shrine of Lord Ayyappa. It stands among thick forests on a hilltop about 3000 feet above sea level in Pathanamthitta district. The temple says people of every faith may come, and close by is the shrine of Vavar, the Lord's friend, a sign of harmony between faiths. The temple is not open all year; it opens only for the Mandala Pooja, Makaravilakku, Vishu and the first few days of each Malayalam month. Devotees keep a 41-day vratham, carry the irumudi (a bundle of offerings) on their heads, chant 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' on the climb, and go up the eighteen holy steps, the Pathinettam Padi, for darshan.

The story

By the temple's story, King Rajasekhara of Pandalam was a good ruler but had no child, and he prayed to Shiv ji. Meanwhile Mahishi, sister of Mahishasura, had won a boon that only a son of Shiv and Vishnu (as Mohini) could defeat her. One day, while hunting by the Pampa river, the king found a beautiful baby crying in the forest, wearing a gold chain around his neck. A sadhu told him to take the child home and name him Manikandan. The boy grew skilled in learning and arms. Later the queen too had a son, and the king wished to make Manikandan crown prince. A jealous minister then had the queen pretend to be ill, and had a physician say the cure needed tigress milk. Manikandan went into the forest alone. There he ended Mahishi, and then returned to the palace riding a tiger, with the devas as his companions. The king recognised his divine nature and asked his forgiveness. Before leaving, Manikandan shot an arrow that fell at a place called Sabari and asked for a temple there. Tradition says that when the temple was built, Parashuram ji installed Ayyappa's murti. After damage by fire, the temple was rebuilt in 1902 on the orders of the ruler of Travancore.

Visiting

The temple opens only in set seasons, so check the latest information from the Travancore Devaswom Board before planning, including the pilgrimage rules. Devotees wear the mala and keep a 41-day vow of simple living, simple food and celibacy. From Pampa there is a steep climb on foot; the old forest route starts at Erumeli, where the Pettathullal dance takes place and Vavar has a shrine. Do not throw clothes into the Pampa river, and do not carry plastic.

Festivals

Mandala Pooja: the 41-day pilgrim season, roughly 15/16 November to 26/27 December
Makaravilakku (Makar Sankranti, 14 to 15 January): procession of the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) from Pandalam
Vishu (first day of the month of Medam, mid-April)

Famous temples

Sources