English
தமிழ்
हिन्दी
తెలుగు
ಕನ್ನಡ
Do not miss partaking in other traditional events during the Sabarimala Season
The Sabarimala pilgrimage season is a time when there are several other events and festivals happening across Kerala. Some of these have gained much popularity and are worth visiting.
The annual temple festival at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is a special occasion for devotees. It is held in the Malayalam month ‘Meenam’, which is also the Tamil month of ‘Painkuni’ (March – April) and is 10 days long.
Aazhi Pooja is a ritualistic event conducted as a part of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. It symbolises the attainment of a spiritual and ascetic mindset. Aazhi Pooja is performed close to the pilgrimage day, after the pilgrim has been on ‘Vrutham’ for forty-one days and has reached a certain degree of purification of mind and body.
Makara Sankrama night witnesses the celestial phenomenon of the rise of the star Makara in the sky, and the Makarajyothi becomes visible at Ponnambalamedu. In the evening, after the Makaravilakku and subsequent lamp worship, the grand procession begins. This festival spans from the first to the fifth of Makaram (mid-January).
Niraputhari, a symbol of prosperity and agricultural abundance, is celebrated by Malayalees by hanging small sheaves of rice grains in their homes. This ritual is also one of the important ceremonies at Sabarimala. Traditionally, the Travancore royal family also observes Niraputhari Day.
The annual festival of Sabarimala, known as Painkuni Uthram Festival, takes place during the Tamil month of Painkuni (March – April), which corresponds to the Malayalam month of Meenam. This ten-day festival is celebrated with grand events such as Pallivetta (ritual hunting) and Aarattu (holy bath). The festivities begin with the ceremonial flag hoisting.
Onam, the grand festival of the Kerala, is celebrated with great significance at Sabarimala. The festivities begin with the monthly poojas in the Malayalam month Chingam (August – September). After the monthly poojas the temple will reopen during Onam. On the eve of Uthradam, the Tantri opens the temple doors, and the pooja (ceremonies) commence. For Uthradam, the feast prepared by Melshanti is in honour of Lord Ayyappa.
Prathishta Dinam, or Installation Day, commemorates the anniversary of the installation of the idol at Sabarimala. The ceremonies performed on this day are abbreviated forms of the rituals originally conducted during the idol's installation. These poojas are tantric processes intended to cleanse the idol of impurities accumulated over the year from human or natural causes, restoring its full vitality through Prana Pratishtha. Key rituals include the Kalasha Pooja and Kalasha Abhishekam.
Guruthi has been an integral part of the rituals at the Sabarimala temple since ancient times. This sacred ceremony is conducted in the open space in front of the Manimandapam, located behind the Malikappuram shrine. On the fifth day of the Makaravilakku Utsavam, Lord Ayyappa ascends to Sharamkuthi, marking the last day of the grand procession. After the athazha pooja, the procession to Sharamkuthi commences from the Manimandapam. Upon its silent return to the palace, accompanied by the demons and mountain gods, the rituals continue.
Kalamezhuthu is a significant ceremony at Sabarimala, particularly associated with the Makaravilakku festival. This ritual takes place at the Manimandapam, which is considered Lord Ayyappa's original residence in Malikappuram. The Kalamezhuthu ritual inside the Manimandapam spans five days, beginning from the day of Makara Sankrama. Each day's kalam (design of three-dimensional figures of deities on the floor with colour powders) represents a different phase of Lord Ayyappa's life, and together, they depict the baby’s journey towards godhead.
Nayattu Vili is a rare and significant ceremony held at Sabarimala as part of the Makaravilakku Festival. This ritual involves the recitation of Ayyappa's legend in verse form. The Ezhunnallath (procession) begins from Malikappuram after the Kalamezhuthu ritual at Manimandapam and the athazha pooja. Lord Ayyappa then ascends to the Pathinettampadi (18 steps), accompanied by the Nayattu Vili for four consecutive days.
The Pamba Sadya is a cherished tradition for devotees who come to Sabarimala after observing a 41-day ritual fast. These pilgrims, who take the traditional Kananapatha route to witness the Makarajyoti and Makaravilakku, partake of a sadya (feast) at the Pamba before ascending the Neelimala. Historically, the Pamba Sadya was offered to pilgrims from Ambalappuzha and Alangad after they traversed the Karimala path and arrived at the Pamba through Kananapatha.
Ayyappa devotees light a lamp in the Pamba river as a symbol of Ayyappa's victory over Marava Pada. Pilgrims from Ambalappuzha and Alangad, after Petta Thullal at Erumeli reach the Pamba through Karimala. Following this, they partake of the Pamba Sadya feast. In the evening, during the Deeparadhana at Sabarimala, the Pamba Vilakku is lit at Pamba Triveni. The lamp, known as a tower lamp, is constructed from reed sticks cut from the forest, bundled together artistically to resemble a tower.
Alongside the esteemed Guruvayur temple, Sabarimala stands as a revered pilgrimage site where tens of thousands of devotees converge during the auspicious month of Medam (April-May) to witness the divine Vishukani. On Vishu day, a special display known as Vishukani is arranged, featuring a mirror, fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and a new set of clothes. The purpose of the Vishukani is to begin the new year by viewing these auspicious items as the first sight in the morning.