Home

>

CT SCOOP

From Wearing Black, Mysterious Jyoti To Restricted Women’s Entry; The Legend Of Sabarimala Temple

The Sabarimala temple is quite old and after it was installed, it was largely inaccessible for over three centuries.

by Vaishalee Kalvankar
From Wearing Black, Mysterious Jyoti To Restricted Women’s Entry; The Legend Of Sabarimala Temple

A well-known Hindu temple called Sabarimala is situated on a hill in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Eighteen hills encircle it in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The god of growth, Ayyappa, is the main deity of the temple. Travellers from all over the nation and the world, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, go to the temple. You must have seen devotees wearing black who visit this temple. What is the reason? Read about this and many such beliefs. 

The Legend Of Sabarimala Temple

Only on the days of Mandala Pooja in November and December, Makar Sankranti on January 14, and Maha Vishuva Sankranti on April 14, as well as the first five days of each Malayalam month, is the temple open for worship.

The temple of Sabarimala is quite old. After it was installed, it was largely inaccessible for over three centuries. A prince of the Pandalam Dynasty named Manikandan rediscovered the old route to Sabarimala in the twelfth century. 

He carried a large following with him, including the offspring of the Muslim fighter Vavar, whom Manikandan vanquished. This prince is regarded as an Ayyappa avatar. It is thought that while meditating in the Sabarimala temple, he united with the divine.

 Also Read: Jains Are The OG Vegans, All About The Spiritual Origins Of Vegan Living That Indian Jains Practise

Rules That Devotees Have To Follow

sabrimala temple

Since cars cannot get to Sabarimala, pilgrims go through strenuous hikes through the forest to get to the temple. The pilgrims must abstain from sexual activity for 41 days prior to visiting Sabarimala. 

They must also abstain from drinking, maintain a strict lacto-vegetarian diet, stop using foul language, and let their nails and hair grow naturally. They are supposed to take two daily baths and frequently visit the nearby temples.

They put sandal paste, or vibhuti, on their foreheads, wear black or blue clothing, and refrain from shaving until the trip is over. Since Lord Ayappa, the temple’s presiding deity, is believed by followers to be celibate, women have been prohibited from entering the premises for generations.

Because they were menstruating, the Kerala High Court prohibited women over the age of ten and under the age of fifty from entering the Sabarimala shrine in 1991. Every year on Makar Sankranti, devotees at Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple worship the star Makara Jyothi. It is thought that in order to benefit his followers, the god Ayyappan manifests himself as Makara Jyothi.

Also Read: NYCs Times Square Will Telecast Ayodhyas Ram Mandir Consecration Ceremony. Heres All About It

Have you been to this temple?

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
Good news! We are on WhatsApp! Subscribe to Curly Tales WhatsApp Channel to stay up-to-date with exclusive content and BTS. Join HERE.