Devotees throng Sabarimala temple to witness 'celestial light'

15 January, 2013

At Kerala's Sabarimala shrine, on January 14, several lakhs of devotees thronged to witness 'makaravilaku' or the celestial light on the horizon which is believed to be the most auspicious event of the two-month pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in south India.

MAKARAVILAKKU IS held on January 14 each year as a part of the two-month long festival that includes the Thiruvabharanam procession and a congregation of pigrims at the hill shrine of Sabarimala.

The legend has it that Lord Rama and Lakshmana met the tribal devotee Sabari at Sabarimala. She offered them fruits after tasting them which they accepted and ate gladly. Then they saw a sage called Sastha meditating who stood up to welcome them. The anniversary of this incident is celebrated as Makaravilakku.

The event was marked by the visit of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The state government deployed around 3,500 police personnel to control and regulate the crowds since pilgrims have to walk 4 km uphill from Pamba River to the shrine to witness Makaravilakku.

According to the temple management board, this time, during the pilgrinage, the offerings by the devotees crossed Rs. 150 crore, which is about Rs. 10 crore more as compared to the collection of the previous season.

The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple, located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, is one of the most ancient and prominent Sastha temples open to all faiths in India. However, the temple bars the entry of women who have attained puberty.

The temple is surrounded by mountains and dense forest. The pilgrimage season begins in the month of November and ends in January. The pilgrims are required to observe austerities and abstain from sensual pleasures and non-vegitarian food for 41 days. The main message of Sabarimala shrine is to observe austerities in life and limit one’s desires to lead a happy life.