Sabarimala Temple of Kerala Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Legend Behind Sabarimala Temple

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Sabarimala

Lord Ayyappa's Abode

Kerala is a land of temples and one of the best known temples is Sabarimala, high up in the Sahyadri Mountains (Western Ghats). The temple is the place of worship of Lord Ayyappa. To reach the temple one has to undertake a steep climb up the mountain starting from the base of the Neelima hill. A 3-kilometer long trek leads to the top where the shrine of Lord Ayyappa stands. At the end of the trail comes the Padhinettampadi or The Holy Eighteen steps . It is said that the first five represent the Indriyas, the next the ragas, the next three the gunas and then the vidya and avidya. Ascending these steps would take the devotee closer to self-realisation.

THE LEGEND
Long back, Pandalam was a very happy kingdom except for one thing. The king and queen had no children. They constantly prayed to God to bless them with a child.
One day, the king Rajasekhara went for hunting. After an exhausting day in the forest, the king was resting under a tree. Suddenly he heard the cry of a child. He immediately got up and rushed to find out where the cries came from. He reached the banks of river Pampa where he saw a beautiful baby boy crying with all his might. The king picked up the child and noticed that he had a golden bell tied around his neck. He rushed back to the palace with the child.

Upon seeing the child, the queen was overwhelmed with joy and wanted to know about his parents and the pretty bell around his neck. The king said that the child has come from the God himself. The child was named Manikanthan in honour of the bell around his neck. ( mani means bell and kanth means neck )
The child grew out to be a highly intelligent boy. He was trained in all military crafts and was expert in horse riding and sword fighting.
Meanwhile the queen gave birth to a boy and the two children grew up together with no differentiation.

Twelve years passed and it was time for the king to step down from the throne. He decided to crown Manikanthan as the king. However the queen was not happy with this decision. She wanted her son to be the king. The king's minister has been brainwashing her. The two came up with a plan....

The next day, the queen pretended to be in severe stomach pain. The king rushed to her side. The royal physicain, who was already bribed by the minister, examined the queen and then made his diagnosis. He told the king that only the milk of a tigress can cure the queen. The king started worrying as who will get the milk from a tigress. Hearing this, manikanthan approached his father and seeked his permission to get the cure for mother. The king got horified and rejected Manikanthan's plea. Manikanthan convinced him that he can do this as he cannot see mother in such pain. After much persuasion the king gave in.

Manikanthan touched his father's feet and left to the forest. The queen and the minister were joyous. For days, there was no news of him. The king started worrying and the queen was happy that now her real son will be the king.
Several days later when everyone had lost hope of ever seeing Manikantha again, the boy rode past the palace gates. On a tigress ! Everyone was stunned. He is no ordinary child. He is divine. The minister and the queen confessed their crime to the king and Manikanthan.

Manikanthan forgave them and told the king that now its time for him to leave the palace. The king begged Manikanthan to stay, but he was determined to leave. The king asked for his forgiveness. Manikanthan lovingly embraced his father and granted him moksha( salvation). He asked the king to build a temple north of river Pampa and install his idol there and he shall always answer their prayers.

Thus was created the temple at Sabrimala.
Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non- vegetarian habits and carnal pleasures. The most sacred event at Sabarimala is Makara Jyothi. At this time, the sacred jewels of the Lord arrive at Sabarimal from Pandalam. The idol of Lord Ayyappa is then decorated with the jewels and at the same time a brilliant light appears on the mountain opposite the temple. It is believed that this light is the aarti( sacred fire) performed by the rishis and devas. This event marks the end of the pilgrimage to Sabrimala.

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