Friday 8 July 2016

Route Map to Sabarimala, Best Travel Guide to Sannidhanam

Sabarimala Pilgrim Package from Chengannur
Sabarimala Pilgrim Package from Cochin
Route Map from Chennai to Sabarimala

Chennai, Tamilnadu -- Kanchipuram -- Villupuram -- Cuddalore -- Perambalur -- Tiruchirappalli -- Padiripatti -- Palayakottai -- Ayyalur -- Dindigul -- Theni -- Idukki -- Periyar -- Peermade -- Kottayam -- Perunad -- Pathanamthitta -- Sabarimala -- Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple



Route Map from Chengannur to Sabarimala

Chengannur -- Puthencavu -- Thottapuzhacherry -- Cherukole -- Vayalathala -- Mandiram -- Vadasserikkara -- Koonamkara -- Perunad -- Pathanamthitta -- Sabarimala -- Pamba -- Appachimedu -- Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple




Route Map from Cochin to Sabarimala

Kochi -- Kundannoor -- Udayamperoor -- Thrippunithura -- Vadayar -- Kottayam -- Chirakkadavu -- Chittar -- Erumeli North -- Kottayam  -- Perunad  -- Pathanamthitta -- Sabarimala -- Pamba -- Appachimedu -- Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple



Saturday 2 July 2016

Pilgrimage to the Land of Ayappa | Sabarimala Temple 18 Holy Steps The Symbolism Explained

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with an estimated over 100 million devotees visiting every year. Ayyappan's temple is situated amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m (1,535 ft) above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense forest, (Periyar Tiger Reserve), around the temple is known as Poomkavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilakkal Kalaketty, and Karimala remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.



The shrine at Sabarimala is an ancient temple of Ayyappan also known as sasta and Dharmasasta. In the 12th century, Manikandan, a prince of Pandalam dynasty, meditated at Sabarimala temple and became one with the divine. Manikandan was an avatar of Ayyappan.

Sabarimala is linked to pilgrimage predominantly undertaken by Hindus. Sabarimala pilgrims can be identified easily, as they wear black or blue dress. They do not shave until the completion of the pilgrimage, and smear Vibhuti or sandal paste on their forehead.

[Source:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabarimala]

The symbolism of ponnu padinettam padi (18 steps) is as follows:

The first five steps symbolise the five human senses (Panchendriyas) i.e. visual (vision), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste) and tactile (touch). These signify the `mortal’ nature of one’s body. The next eight steps symbolise the eight Ashtaragas viz, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, Maltsarya, Asooya, Dhumb (Love, Anger, Avarice, Lust, Pride, Unhealthy Competition, Jealousy and Boastfulness). The next three steps stand for three Gunas or Thrigunas (nature-born qualities) i.e. Satva, ( perspicuity, discernment) , Rajas (activity, enjoyment) and Thamas (inactivity, stupor). The last two steps represent Vidya (Knowledge) and Avidya (Ignorance).