Sabarimala is a temple with a lot of unique features compared to all pilgrim centers in South India.It is situated in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.Lord Ayyappa is the chief deity in this temple.Mythologies says that Lord Ayyappa was the son of Lord Siva and Mohini,The Nymph and was later adopted by the king of Pandalam Dynasty.Later ,the Royal Family realised the Godly powers of the little boy.The king built a temple at the top of a hill and got boy settled there as per his wish. There the boy grew and became a great saint, and people began to climb the hill seeking his blessings.Every pilgrim must keep 41 days of continence or 'brahmacharya' starting with the 'Maladharan' ceremony, when the prospective pilgrim adorns a garland of 'tulsi' or 'rudraksha' beads. The pilgrim maintains purity of mind, body and speech and spends his time visiting temples, praying and attending religious ceremonies. During the Mandalam period, mid-November to the end of December, the devotee wears colored clothes like blue, black or ochre and grows a beard. The pilgrim virtually leads the life of a sage and is expected to consume only 'satvic' food as explained in the Bhagavad-Gita and keep a distance from meat,fish, intoxicating drinks and other banned food items.Anybody can visit this temple , except Teenage girls and young women. Small girls and women who have attained menopause are only allowed inside the temple.The pilgrimage starts with the Kettunira ceremony, the filling up of the sacred bundle (Irumudi), conducted either in one's house or in a temple.The devoties reach the 'sannidhanam'through Patinettempadi'- 18 golden steps that lead pilgrims to the sanctum sanctorum of Dharma Sasta. It is believed that the holy presence of Lord Ayyappa is there and the surroundings are kept sacred. It's an international pilgrim centre.
