Sri
Dharmas Astha Temple, Sabarimala
Sabarimala
Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is the most famous and
prominent among all the Sastha temples. This is
one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. It
is believed that Lord Parasurama consecrated the
deity of the temple at the foot of Sabari hills
to which reference has been made in Ramayana.
The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the
southern states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh but also from the other part
of the country and abroad. The unique feature
of the temple is that it is open for people of
all faiths and many Non-Hindus conduct pilgrimage
to this temple. The secular aspect of the temple
is best exemplified by the existence of the "Vavar
nada" in honour of a Muslim Saint at the
close proximity to the main temple (Ayyappa Swami
temple) at Sabarimala by the side of Holy Pathinettampadi
(Holy Eighteen steps). The pilgrims worship in
this place also. The pilgrims on their sojourn
to Sabarimala worship at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha
temple and conduct "Petta Thullal".
They also worship in the mosque at Erumeli as
a part of their pilgrimage. Ayyappa cult gives
much importance for the secularism and communal
harmony and has turn out to be a model for the
whole world. Another significant aspect of the
pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich
or poor, learned or illiterate holding position
or not master or servant, are all equal before
LORD AYYAPPA and all address each other as AYYAPPA.
The divine qualities like equality, fraternity,
tolerance, humanity etc.. are shining well in
the pilgrims.
Pathinettampadi
Pathinettapadi
(18 divine steps) to the sanctum sanctorium is
divine in all aspects. The first three steps depict
"Bhoomi, Agni, Vayoo & Akash", 6
to 9 steps for Karmendriya, 10 to 15 for Jhanandriya,
16th for mind 17th Intelligence and 18th Jeevathma
Bhava. Those who crosses all these steps is believed
to achieve "Punyadarshan".
The
Divine Pampa
The
divine Pampa place an important roll in the Sabarimala
pilgrimage. After passing around 102 steps the
pilgrims can reach at the Pampa Maha Ganapathi
Temple. Breaking coconuts is the main offering
here. Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi
are the other divine places enroute. At Pampa
also there are a few pilgrim sheds. There are
three hospitals (one Allopathy one Ayurveda and
one Homoeopathy) functioning during the festival
period. At Appachimedu also one first aid center.
Used to function during the peak days of festival
period. One information center is working at Pampa
Anjaneya auditorium.
