The next eight steps are the ashtaragas, which represent emotions like anger, love, greed, lust, jealousy, boastfulness, unhealthy competition, and pride. The first five steps, called panchendriyas, represent the five human senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Ascending these steps is believed to help devotees attain detachment from worldly desires. The 18 steps have great religious significance. They may include a change of clothes or dry fruits. which is a small black cloth bundle that contains Pooja items or personal possessions, on their head. When proceeding to the temple, devotees have to carry the ‘irumudi ’. The 41-day penance is a must for ascending the 18 steps. The devotee must begin the climb with their right foot. As they climb, they chant the ‘Pathinettam padi’ (song of the 18 steps). The Meaning of Pathinettam padi (18 steps):Īyyappa devotees have to climb 18 steps to the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. The lamp is lit after the arati or Deeparadhana at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam or shrine. The forest tribals who lived in this area before used to light a lamp at the temple and this practice continues even now under the auspices of the Travancore Devaswom Board. There is a small temple here, which the public cannot access. Makara Jyothi is visible on the day of Makarasamkrama above Ponnambalamedu (a forest area where the Makaravilakku is seen) 8 km from Sabarimala shrine. According to local lore, this star is Ayyappa himself, who comes to bless his devotees. Makara, or Sirius, is a bright star that appears in the sky above the hillock where the temple shrine is located. The highlight of Makara Vilakku is the sighting of Makara Jyothi, which devotees worship during the Makara Sankranti festival on January 14. The major event at Sabarimala is the appearance of Makara Jyothi (usually on January 14th). Once this ritual ends, the star vanishes, and a bright light shines 3 times from the hills opposite the shrine.

The idol of Lord Ayyappa is adorned with jewels as devotees chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”. The star or Makara Jyothi will be visible at this time.

Then it circles 9 times above the temple Sannidhanam as a sign of respect to Ayyappan. During the procession, one can see a Krishnaparunthu or Brahminy Kite, which is believed to be Vishnu’s vehicle, hovering above until the procession reaches the palace. The procession begins by taking the Lord’s jewels to the Old Pandalam Palace in Sabarimala. Finally, bright light or Makaravilakku shines thrice from the hills opposite the shrine. The idol of Ayappa is adorned with jewels while the devotees chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”. The Makara Jyothi or Sirius star will be visible at this time. It circles above the Sannidhanam for 9 times as a sign of respect to Ayappan. At this time, one can see a Brahminy kite or Krishnaparunthu, said to be the vehicle of Vishnu, hovering above until the procession reaches the palace. The Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) procession and a congregation at the hill shrine are the main features of this festival.ĭuring the procession, the Lord’s jewels are taken to the Old Pandalam Palace in Sabarimala. This annual festival is held on the day of Makara Sankranti, at the Sabarimala shrine. The fast commences on the first day of Vrishchikam (November – December) Malayalam month.Īlong with Mandala Pooja, there is an important festival called ‘Makara Vilakku’. Mandala Pooja, an important ritual, is observed at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple when the 41 days of austerity called Mandala Kaalam come to an end. During these 41 days, the devotee is expected to lead a simple and pious life. After the Mandala Kaalam begins, they also take to wearing black clothes, going barefoot, sleeping on the floor, and taking baths in cold water as part of the austerities. Located in a dense forest, which is also a protected tiger reserve, the pilgrimage to Sabarimala involves severe austerities that span a mandala or 41 days, during which the devotee observes a strict fast, refraining from all kinds of indulgences like alcohol, non-vegetarian food, and even sex. Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala attracts devotees from all parts of India.

Brahminy kite spiritual meaning