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Know about the Special Poojas at Sabarimala
One of the most significant and auspicious rituals dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is the 'Neyyabhishekam', involving the anointment of the idol with ghee. This ritual commences at 4:00 AM and continues until the Ucha Pooja at 1:00 PM.
A senior pilgrim's guru swami guides others in arranging the ghee-filled coconuts on a sheet laid out on the ground, after their darshan of Lord Ayyappa and other deities.
Subsequently, the team leader, typically a guru swami, breaks all the ghee-filled coconuts after bathing at Bhasmakkulam, a pond near the sannidhanam, and collects the ghee in a vessel for offering at the Sree Kovil or sanctum sanctorum.
After performing the 'Neyyabhishekam', the priest returns a portion of the ghee as a divine prasadam. Devotees who do not bring ghee-filled coconuts can avail of Abhisheka ghee provided by the Devaswom Board. This ghee, considered akin to the human soul, is believed to merge with Lord Ayyappa or the Supreme Being. A coconut without ghee signifies a lifeless body, which is why it is placed in the large fireplace, known as the aazhi, in front of the temple.
One of the distinctive features of Sabarimala is the 'Pathinettampadi' or the 18 sacred steps, each carrying its own significance. This ritual occurs in the evenings on specific days and is conducted by the Tantri, or head priest, in the presence of the Melshanti, the chief priest. The steps are adorned with flowers, silk cloths and traditional lamps, creating a reverential ambience. After the hour-long ceremony, the Tantri performs the 'aarathi', concluding one of the most sacred and revered rituals of Sabarimala.
Udayasthamana pooja is conducted from dawn to dusk (from Nirmalyam to Athazha pooja). ‘Udayasthamaya’ literally means from sunrise to sunset ('Udaya' referring to sunrise and 'Asthamaya' referring to sunset). Elaborate arrangements are needed for this Pooja, and hence this is conducted only on certain days.
According to the Tantric Veda and Agama Shastras, Sahasra Kalasam is an offering made to Hariharaputhra (Sri Dharmashastha) in order to obtain blessings for the welfare of all people. It is an honourable endeavour to call forth all the holy spirits by filling the holy kalasam (sacred pot) with gold, silver, copper, and other precious and semiprecious stones, incense, water from the seven oceans and sacred rivers.
The Ulsavabali traditions start with the striking of Paani. Paani is designed to attract the Bhoothaganams, who are associates of the presiding deity, and Ulsavabali is dedicated to them. Next, the balikallu of the Bhoothaganams surrounding Naalambalam and Balikkalpura is covered with a layer of cooked raw rice (Ulsavabali Thooval). The presiding deity's Thidambu is removed from the sanctum sanctorum so that the devotees can offer prayers after the cooked rice has been sprinkled over the Saptha Maathrukkal. Ulsavabali is a portion of the Lord Ayyappa Temple's yearly celebration.
Pushpabhishekam involves the ceremonial showering of flowers upon Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. During the Pushpabhishekam ceremony, a variety of flowers and leaves, including jasmine, Tulsi (basil), chrysanthemum, lotus and bilva leaves, are showered on Lord Ayyappa's idol. Devotees interested in participating in Pushpabhishekam at Sabarimala are required to book in advance, by paying a participation fee.
Ashtabhishekam is the offering of eight items to Lord Ayyappa. The items used for Ashtabhishekam in Sabarimala are Vibhuti, Milk, Honey, Panchamrutam, Tender Coconut Water, Sandalwood, Rosewater.
Kalabhabhishekam is a very important special pooja usually performed for the strengthening of the chaithanya (radiance) of the deity. As part of kalabhabhishekam, the Tantri performs the Kalabhakalasa pooja at the Nalambalam in the presence of Melshanti.
Kalabhakalasabhishekam, marking the conclusion of the ritual by pouring the sandalwood paste on the idol of Lord Ayyappa, is performed during the Ucha pooja by the Tantri after the procession, carrying the golden urn containing sandal paste for the Kalabhabhishekam around the Sree Kovil, is over.
'Archana’ refers to the act of chanting and honouring the Divine name. 'Lakh' translates to 100,000. Hence, 'Laksharchana' denotes the practice of collectively repeating the name of the Lord in the form of a Mantra. Subsequently, the Tantri, accompanied by the chief priest and other priests, conducts Laksharchana at the Sannidhanam. The "Brahmakalasam" used in the Laksharchana is then ceremonially carried in a procession to the sanctum sanctorum for "abhishekam" prior to the Uchapooja.