Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Sabarimala

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the sastha temples in Kerala. The temple situated on a hilltop named Sabarimala in the Pathanamthitta district. This temple is unique in many respects. One is that the temple is open to all irrespective of caste, creed or religion. There is a place near the temple, east to Sannidhanam, dedicated to the Vavar ( a sufi and friend of Lord Ayyappa) is called 'Vavarunada'.This is an epitome of religious harmony. Another fact is that it is not open throughout the year. It is open for worship, only during the days of Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku and Chitra Vishu. The pilgrims have to follow fasting for many days and the journey to the temple is to be taken through difficult paths in the forest as the vehicles can go only up to Pampa.

This is one of the most ancient temples in kerala. It is believed that the diety of the temple was consecrated by lord parasurama at the foot of sabari hills for which reference has been made even in Ramayana. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnatakaand Andhra Pradesh but also from other parts of country and abroad.

There is a Vavar Thara very close to . The diety is Vavar, the friend of Ayyappa and a sufi n honour of Muslim saint at the close proximity to the main temple . Ayyapa cult gifts much importance for secularism amd communal harmony and has turned out to be a model for the whole world. another significant as[pects ogf the pilgirmage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor, literate or illiterate her all equal before lord ayyapa and whole address each other as ayyappa. or swamy.

It is believed to be the place where Lord Ayyapa meditated soon after killing the powerful demon, Mahishi. Another methology says 'Parasurama Maharshi' who uplifted kerala from the sea by throwig his axe, instal the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala.

To enter the Sabarimala temple, the pilgrim has to pass Pathinettampadi (holy eighteen steps). The holly eighteen steps that lead to the shrine, have been figuratevily called Ponnu Pathinettampadi, 'Ponnu' being an epithet to denote the holy touch of lord's feet. But now 'Ponnu' has become literally true because the steps have been covered with Panchaloham. Only those who observe 41 day's penance can carry erumudi and can climb these steps.

Erumeli Sastha Temple

Erumeli sastha temple, an important meeting place in the pilgrimage sabarimala is very famous. There is also a most very near to the sastha temple. Ayyappas goes to sabarimala after worship in at these to places which seems of a symbol of hindu muslim unity. The pilgrims go to sabarimala after pettathullal at erumeli. pilgrimage to sabarimala without pettah thullal and worship at above mentioned temples are not traditional. Erumeli temple rests about 38 kiliometers south from kottayam. near Railway Station is kottayam.

Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple

According to legent, the King of Pandalamfound a baby lying in the banks of river pamba. As the King had no heir to succeed, the child was considered as a god-given gift and named Ayyappa. So the baby was brought up as a prince. So Sree Dharma Sastha of Pandalam Valiyakoyickal temple is Dharma Deva to the king of panthalam. One of the major events associated with the Makaravilakku festival is the procession of the TYhiruvabharam (holy ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa from this temple.

The nearest town and railway station is chengannur (12 km).

Other famous sastha temples related to mandalakalam are kulathupuzha sastha temple, achankoil sastha temple and aryan kavu sastha temple.

Mandalam- Makaravilakku Festival 2008-2009

Mandalam- Makaravilakku festival starts at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on 16 November 2008 (Sunday), first day in the Malayalam month of ‘Vrischikom’. Mandalakalam starts from November 16 to December 26, 2008. For that the sanctum sanctorum opens at 5.30 p.m. on 15 November, 2008 (Saturday).
The sanctum sanctorum is opened by new Melsanthis at 5 a.m. on Sunday. The rituals for Mandalam- Makaravilakku start with ‘Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homom’ at 5 a.m. followed by ‘Neyyabhishekom’ at 5.15 a.m. The ‘Mandalapuja’ and ‘Uchapuja’ are performed at the Ayyappa temple on December 26 and then ‘Mandalam’ festival ends with ‘Athazhapuja’ in the afternoon.
The temple will reopen on December 30 for the ‘Makaravilakku’ festival and will end with 20 January 2009. The procession of carrying the Thiruvabharanam (Royal Ornaments)to Sabarimala Ayyappa temple will start from Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple on January 12. The Makara Jyoti, star shows up on the Makaravilakku day, will be seen on January 14. The ending of Makaravilakku festival is marked by the Darshan of the representative of the Pandalam Royal Family.

Administration

The administration of Sabarimala Devaswom is controlled by the executive oficer on the cadre of the devaswom commissioner. During the non festival period office of the executive officer is at nanthancode,Thiruvananhtapuram 695003.