History of Sabarimala

The history of the legendary Sabarimala temple is steeped in myths and legends. The story of Ayyappa is the one connected to the temple and its origins. Born as an avatar of Sastha, Ayyappa is the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in his Mohini avatar. The birth mission of Ayyappa was to eliminate the threat caused by Mahishi, a demoness.

After his birth mission was accomplished, Ayyappa came back to his foster father King Rajasekhara, and informed on his departure to Devaloka. He would grant a wish to the king which was that the Lord would himself identify a suitable place on earth where a temple could be built in his honour. Ayyappa shot an arrow which fell in the mount of Sabari. Thus, under the patronage of King Rajasekhara, the Shree Dharma Sastha Temple was built in the hillock of Sabarimala.

 Until the mid-20^th century, Sabarimala wasn’t a popular pilgrimage destination. The temple was re-built after an arson attack in the year of 1950. The present Panchaloha idol was installed at that time. The temple gained prominence as a major centre for pilgrimage in the late 20^th century with millions of devotees visiting every year. In 1985, the 18 sacred steps too were covered in Panchaloha.

Today, the concept of “Tatwamasi” (thou art that) is the principal philosophy that governs the temple and the pilgrimage. The temple has grown to become one of the most visited places of worship in the world.

Cheerappanchira Kalari

The famous Cheerappanchira tharavad (ancestral house) is located in Muhamma in Alappuzha district.  It is connected to the Ayyappa lore in a very significant manner.  It was at the kalari [training ground] run by the Cheerappanchira tharavad that Lord Ayyappa trained to become an expert in martial arts.  There are devotees who believe that a girl named Poonkodi of the Chirappanchira household loved Lord Ayyappa, and it was she who later became Malikappurathamma.  The centuries-old kalari and a sword (believed to have been used by Lord Ayyappa) is still preserved in the tharavad.

 The Pandalam Palace

It was the King of Pandalam who immortalized his land in the legends and history of Kerala.  The father-son relationship between him and his adopted son Manikantan is inextricably connected to Sabarimala.  Even today, there are rituals associated with the Sabarimala shrine that substantiate as well as reinforce the bond.  It is believed that the Chembazhannur branch of the Pandya dynasty of Madurai was instrumental in founding the kingdom of Pandalam in 377 CE.  In 996 CE, Pandalam was annexed to the kingdom of Travancore. 

The members of the Pandalam royal family have certain rights over the Sannidhanam that are denied to everyone else.  They are exempted from wearing the irumudi kettu as they climb up the Pathinettampadi.  Similarly, the representative of the royal family has the unique right to participate in the Thiruvabharana ghoshayaatra.