Sabarimala Temple is one of the most famous and revered pilgrimage destinations in India, located in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and is visited by millions of devotees every year. Here are some details about the temple's history, significance, festivals, events, and spiritual resources:
History:
The origin of Sabarimala Temple dates back to the ancient times, and it is believed that Lord Ayyappa was born as the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini, the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated on a hilltop, surrounded by dense forests and is accessible only by trekking through the forest, which makes the pilgrimage a unique and challenging experience.
Significance:
Sabarimala Temple is known for its strict traditions and rituals, and it is believed that the temple is open to all devotees irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. The temple is also famous for the 41-day-long Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, which attracts millions of devotees from all over the world.
Here are some of the sevas and temple puja timings at Sabarimala Temple:
- Neyyabhishekam: This seva is performed early in the morning at 3:00 AM every day.
- Ganapathy Homam: The Ganapathy Homam is performed at the temple every day at 4:00 AM.
- Usha Pooja: This puja is performed at 6:00 AM every day.
- Ucha Pooja: The Ucha Pooja is performed at noon, and the timing may vary based on the day of the week.
- Athazha Pooja: This pooja is performed after sunset, usually between 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
- Padi Pooja: This seva is performed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Pushpabhishekam: The Pushpabhishekam is a special offering to Lord Ayyappa, and it is performed every day after the Athazha Pooja.
Note: The temple timings and seva timings may vary during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season, which usually starts in mid-November and ends in mid-January. It is advisable to check with the temple authorities for the exact timings during this period.
Festivals:
The main festival of Sabarimala Temple is the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, which is celebrated from mid-November to mid-January every year. The festival starts with the Mandala Pooja and concludes with the Makaravilakku on the day of Makara Sankranti. Other important festivals celebrated in the temple are the Vishu, Onam, and Mahashivaratri.
Events:
One of the unique events that take place in Sabarimala Temple is the opening of the temple for the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. The temple is open to the devotees for the first five days of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, which usually falls in mid-November.
Spiritual Resources:
Sabarimala Temple offers several spiritual resources for devotees, including daily pujas, darshan, and offerings. Devotees can also perform various sevas and offerings like Neyyabhishekam, Ganapathy Homam, and Pushpabhishekam. There are also several mantras and prayers that devotees can chant while visiting the temple.
In conclusion, Sabarimala Temple is not just a place of worship but also a symbol of faith and devotion. The temple's unique location, traditions, and rituals make it a one-of-a-kind pilgrimage destination that attracts devotees from all over the world.
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