Erumeli to Sannidhanam

[Guest guest]

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

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Petta thullal at Erumeli is a spectacular event in the course of Sabarimala

pilgrimage .The pilgrim paint themselves in dots and and stripes with ashes ,

safron and carbon and carrying arrows , clubs, bundles containing fruits and

vegetables tied to the top. With " Kanni Ayyappa " in the front rank the begin to

dance in rhythmically to the accompaniments of drums cymbals. Slogan of " ayyappa

thinthakathom " bursting out of throats of exited devotees rend the sky.

Petta thullal of pilgrims from Ambalapuzha (Ayyappan's maternal house) and

Alangad (paternal house) are of special mention . Ambalapuzha Petta thullal

starts first . It begines 12 noon on 27th of month Dhanu . The Petta thullal

starts only when a kite is found hovering over the small shrine . The deity of

Ambalapuzha temple , Sri Krishna supposed to have arrived on his carrier Garuda

to witness the scene . Petta thullal takes about three hours to reach the main

temple .By that time it is about 4 pm and a silver star is found rising up in

the sky . On seeing the star , Alangad party begines their turn for petta

thullal . They usually accompanied by two caparisoned elephants bearing the

idols of Ayyappa and Maheswara .

The area beyond Erumeli extending up to the banks of Pamba river is known as

Poonkavanam . The first spot of worship while trekking through the terrain is

Kalaketti . There is a Siva temple at Kalaketti . A coconut is broken at this

alter to propitiate Mahadeva.

 

The next part of the pilgrimage is extremely strenuous and full of hazards . The

scaling of steep Mount Azhutha is a formidable challenge. The ascent of mount

Azhutha terminates on reaching Inchippara where there is shrine fo Kottayil

Sastha . The deity is worshipped by breaking coconut and burning camphor,

Climbing mount Karimala , the picturesque panorama of flora and fauna on either

side of the mountain track is thrilling as well as awesome .The very name

Karimala suggests that it is the abode of wild elephants . The ascent is so hard

that the pilgrims inadvertantly call out " Karimala kayattam kadinam entayyappa "

meaning climbing up the Karimala is very hard my Lord . One of the attraction of

Karimala is " Nazhikinar " a small well within a well , this always contains fresh

spring water . A four feet statue of Karimalanathan never go unnoticed during

trek through Karimala.

 

While pilgrims climb down Karimala in sagging spirits the wholesome breeze

blowing through the cool limpid water of the holy Pamba cheers them . The pamba

is renowned for its sacredness . The water of Pamba is the conglomerations of

the water of all holy rivers of Bharathavarsha . It was brought to the place by

Sri Parasurama with the blessing of Mahadeva to redeem his people from the sins

.. The Pamba valley is the confluence of all pilgrims heading towards Sabarimala

.. Pithrutharpanam (ritual to propitiate the ancestors ) , Pamba sadya (feast) ,

Gurudakshina and Pambavilakku are outstanding ceremonies that takes place in the

valley of Pamba. The last lap of the trek is climbing up Neelimala . The abode

of young and ascetic God is atop this mountain. The holy flight of eighteen

steps leading to Sannidhanam the seat of Dharmasastha is about 6km away from the

valley of Pamba . The Neelimala is loftier and steeper . On the festive occasion

of Makaravilakku the representative of king of Panthalam will be present on a

platform at the foot of Neelimala . The ascent terminates at the next landmark

namely Apachimedu . The next station of attention is Sabaripeedam , a flat rock.

It is said to be place where Sabari, whose devotion to Sri Ramachandra is too

well known , did penance and attained God realization at the hands of Dharma

Sastha. The distance from Sabaripeedam to Pathinettampadi (the flight of

eighteen steps) is just 1.6km . Between these two places is Saramkuthi (the

place where arrow stuck ). It was here where Manikandan's arrow stuck to mark

the location for erection of temple.

According to the tenests of Sanatana Dharma the number 'eighteen' is of much

spiritual significance . It is the symbol of success. In the vernacular it is

called 'satyamaya ponnum patinettmpadi' signifying that the sacred eighteen

steps represent the ultimate truth. Further, the eighteen steps stand for Five

Indriyas, Eight Ragas, Three Gunas is made possible only after scaling these

eighteen steps.

Before placing his foot on the step, the devotee pays obeisance to it and breaks

coconut smashing on it. Breaking of the coconut is symbolic. The coconut is the

symbol of three gunas - Satwa, Rajas and Tamas. The outer shell of the coconut

stands for Tamas, the kernal for Rajas and the sweet water inside for Satwa.

Having freed from the shackles of trigunas, the aspirant becomes eligible to

climb the steps towards Eternal Bliss .

 

On mounting up the eighteenth step ,the diety in meditative pose with

Pattabandha, a belt around the folded legs and Chinmudra, the forefinger of the

right hand touching the thumb and the stretched left arm resting on the kneecap,

welcomes devout devotees, ready to confer on them innumerable boons.

The devotees then circumambulate the temple ,visiting the shrines of Lord Ganesh

and Lord Karthikeya in the meanwhile. Then they rest for a few minitues, while

formalities for the Abhisheka of the ghee filled in the coconut (Pouring of the

ghee over the idol) are done. After the ghee is emptied out of the coconut,

apart of it is given to the devotee as Prasadam. Needless to say, the quantity

of ghee broughts my millions and millions of devotees for abhisheka is

immeasurably large. The ghee is deposited in a big reservoir built in the shape

of aboat.

A hundred meters away fron the main temple towards north is the shrine of

Malikappurath Amma. The devotees visit this Shrine, but it remains closed. A

trident and a lamp installed in front of the temple are worshipped. Instead of

breaking the coconut, it is rolled along the ground. The other offerings

presented ara betal leaf, turmeric powder, silk cloth,saffron etc.

The most important festival of sabarimala temple is Makara Vilakku. It is a

seven-day festival commencing on the day of Makara sankranthi,the day which the

sun is in summer solstice. It was on this auspicious day, the idol of Dharma

Sastha was enshrined in the temple. The annual celebration of makara vilakku is

commemorative of the sacred event.

 

The jewellery to adorn the Diety on the occasion of the festival is brought from

Pandalam Palace in a ceremonial procession which starts from Valiya Koyikkal

Sastha Temple at Pandalam three days prior to Makara Sankranti. The boxes

containing the sacred jewellery are placed on the head of an oracle. He appears

to be oblivious on his physical existance and marches on dancing hysterically.

Still the boxes remain on his head as if glued there. Relaxing in a few temples

enroute the procession reaches Sabaripettam in the evening on the crucial day.

The procession reaches Sabaripettam in the evening on the crucial day.The

procession is accorded a ceremonial welcome and led to sannidhanam accompanied

by lights and music. Curiously enough, a kite appears in the sky and hovers

around the boxes of jewellery.

Every eye turns to the north-east horizon to witness the peerless phenomenon,

that appearance of 'Makarajyothi', another spectacular scene which leaves an

indelible impression in the hearts of the devotees. On seeing this celestial

splendor in the midst of the spontaneous cries of 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' from

millions of throats & hearts.

 

Poojas and other ceremonies connected with the celebration of Makaravilakku are

performed on the 'Manimandapa' (Sacred Platform) near the Divine Shrine. A

picture of sastha as riding on a leopard's back is depicated on this platform.

After the poojas, Malikappurath Amma is mounted on an elephant's back and taken

in procession, accompanied by toarch-bearers, drummers, buglers etc.to

Pathinettampadi. The procession returns circumambulating the main temple.

The festival lasts for seven days and ends the ritual known as 'Guruthi', an

offering conducted to propitiate the Gods and Goddesses of Wilderness.

Other Important Festivals conducted are Onam, Mandalapooja and Vishu

Vilakku.Temple will be open for worship at the beginning of the malayalam

months.

What to describe, it is the toughest time to any devotee when it comes to step

back from the spiritually charged ambience of Sri Sabarimala. Can anybody define

the pain & emotional breakdown a devotee encounters when he departs from

Sannidhanam after the event of Makarajyothi. Doubtful is the mind about the next

travel... The devotee wish to assimilate himself in the soil of Sannidhanam. He

has reached a state when he is one with Ayyappa now & materialistic pleasures

appears needless. Every devotee is an AYYAPPAN one with AYYAPPAN.

.... This is the 'Pratyaksha Moksham !' of Kaliyuga ...

-- Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa --

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama