This website is not the official site of Sabarimala Temple.This is an informational site maintained by Gottigere Sri Ayyappa Swamy Temple Bannerghatta Road Bangalore - 83
Mandala Pooja celebrations continues for a period of 41 days beginning from first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November-December) and culminating on eleventh day of Dhanu (December-January). During this period devotees make a pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. Mandala Pooja signifies 41 days of austerities. Main Mandala pooja is conducted on the 41st day after the 1st of Vrichikam.
Makara Sankrama day is the most important day for Sabarimala temple and Lord Ayyappa. The day when Dakshinaya days give way to Utharayana days. It is believed that Parasurama maharshi consecrated Sastha temple at Sabarimala on Makara Sankrama day. Devendran and Narada muni blessed the occasion by lighting golden flame in Ponnambala Medu. When Sri Ayyappan reached the forest, the Bhoothaganagal welcomed him and took him to the mountain peak where the hermits made a golden temple. They seated him on a diamond throne and made all poojas. This ritual was done on Makara Sankrama day at “Ponnambala medu”. During the ritual, the body of Sri Ayyappa emits golden light illuminating the entire “Ponnambala medu”. King of Pandalam reconstructed the Sastha temple based on the direction from Lord Ayyappa on Makara samkrama day It is believed that Lord Ayyappa left his physical body at the mani mandapam on Makara Sankrama day and united with Dharma Sastha deity. The procession from the Mani mandapam to the 18 steps with all lamps called Velaku is the ritual related to the merger of Lord Ayyappa with lord Dharma sasthav. Makara Sankrama day has rituals related to all these events.
The flag hoisting (kodiyettam) day of Sabarimala is on Meenam (Malayalam month).The festival celebration is on for 10 days.Pallivetta is held on the ninth day of the festival.Lord Ayyappan escorted by the Bhoothaganangal reaches Saramkuthi where the lord holds Pallivetta and as a symbolic reprsetation of this events, a procession is held,even ‘Nayattuvili’ will be held.On the tenth day Painguni festival and Arattu will be held.The Arattu is on the Uthram star of Meenam(malayalam month).
Petta thulal at Erumeli is an important ritual in the pilgrimage. It is performed in line with the dancing that Lord Ayyappa performed after eradicating Mahishi. It is believed that this thullal will clear the pilgrim Ayyappa from all sins. It clears the body and mind and provide the pilgrim the physical fitness for the daunting, lengthy pilgrimage through the forest.
The 10 day annual festival will be held at sabarimala Ayyappa temple in March/April(Meenam).The temple open on Karthika(star),10 day before uthram(star).The important temple ritual,Utsavabali, is performed during all 10 days,and also after pushpabhishekam,the auspicious padipooja would be performed in the evening.Paikunni uthram festival is on the last day of the 10 days festival and the aarattu ceremony held at pamba river.The temple closes after athazhapooja and harivarasanam.
Thiruvabharanam (holly ornaments) of Lord Ayyapa is used in ritual only on makara samkrama day.the ark of thiruvabharanam is kept at Pandalam Palace.on 28th Dhanu,3 days prior to the Makara samkrama day,the ark is taken to Sabarimala as a procession.The procession is accopanied by the king of Pandalam.the procession start from Pandalam valiya koikal temple and on its way to Sabarimala rests at Aiyroor Puthitakavu temple,Perunadu temple,Nilakal temple and pamba temple.
The deeparadhana on Makara samkrama day is with all ornaments.Darsan of lord Ayyapa with Thiruvabharanam is considered to be the most holly darsan.At the time of deeparadhana,the Makara star will rise in the sky.Golden flame will be lighted at ponnambalamedu and millions of Ayyapans will pay their pryer ans “Saranam” to lord Ayyappa.
