Irumudi thaangi oru manathaagi guruvenave vandhoomIruvinai theerkkum yemanaiyum vellum thiruvadiyai kaana vandhoom

Pallikattu sabari malaikkuKallum Mullum Kaalukku MethaiSwaamiyee AyyappooSwaami Saranam Ayyappaa Saranam (2nd time with low voice)

Pallikattu sabari malaikkuKallum Mullum Kaalukku MethaiSwaamiyee Ayyappoo Ayyappo Swamiyee

Neeiyabhishekam SwamikkeKarpoora Dheepam SwamikkeAyyappan maargalum KoodikkonduAyyanai naadi chenriduvaarSabari malaikku chenriduvaar (Swaamiyee Ayyappoo Ayyappo Swamiyee)Kaarthigai Maatham MaalaiyanindhuNeerthiyaagave Viradhamirundhu

Paartha saarathiyin Maindhane unaiPaarkka veendiye dhavamirundhu (2)

Irumudi yedutthu yerumeeli vandhuOru manathaahi peettai thulliArumai nanparaam vaavarai thozhuthuAyyanin Arul malai Eeriduvaar (Swaamiyee Ayyappoo Ayyappo Swamiyee)

Azhuthai Eetram Eerum PoothuAriharan maganai thuthithu selvaarVazhi kaattidavee VandhiduvaarAyyan vanpuli Eeri VandhiduvaarKarimalai Eetram kadinam kadinamKarunai Kadalum thunai VaruvaarKarimalai Irakkam VandhavudaneThirunathi Pambaiyai Kandiduvaar (Swaamiyee Ayyappoo Ayyappo Swamiyee)

Gengai nathi pool punniya nathiyaam Pambaiyil NeeraadiSangaran Maganai Kumbiduvaar Sangadamindri EeriduvaarNeelimalai Eetram Sivabaalanum EetriduvaarKaalamellam Namakke Arul Kaavalanaai Irruppaar

Deha balam thaa Paada balam thaaDeha balam thaa Paada balam thaa (lower tone)

Deha balam thaa endral avarumDehathai thanthiduvaarPaada balam thaa endral avarumPaathattai thanthiduvaar nallaPaathayai Kaattiduvaar (Swaamiyee Ayyappoo Ayyappo Swamiyee)

Sabari Peedame VandhiruvaarSabari annaiyai panindhuduvaarSaranguthi Aalil kannimaargalumSaratthinai poottu vanangiduvaarSabarimalai thanai nerungiduvaar

Pathinettu padi meethu EeriduvaarGathi endru avarai SaranadaivaarMathi mugam Kannde MayangiduvaarAyyanai thuthikkaiyileThannaiye marandhiduvaar

Pallikattu sabari malaikkuKallum Mullum Kaalukku MethaiSwaamiyee AyyappooSwami Saranam Ayyappa Saranam

Pallikattu sabari malaikkuKallum Mullum Kaalukku MethaiSwaamiyee Ayyappoo Ayyappo Swamiyee

Saranam Saranam Ayyappa Swami Saranam Ayyappa (6)

Sabarimala (0929 North 7706 East) is situated in the midst of 18 hills, in a bowl of land blessed with a small rivulet named `Uralkuzhi Theertham'. The area is in the hilly regions east of Kerala bordering Tamilnadu.Elevation above mean sea level is approximately 1260 Meters/4135 Ft. Temples existed in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional (and intact temples) exist at many places in  surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketti, Inchiparakotta and Karimala, remnants of old temples are visible in the remaining hills.

From the international airport of Thiruvanathapuram (erstwhile Trivandrum), Sabarimala is located at 010 degrees/115 Kms.  Similarly, from the international airport at Kochi (erstwhile Cochin) it is located at 118 degrees/106 Kms. These distances are `direct air distances or distances `as the crow flies'.The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a singular example of a pilgrimage where pilgrims, without consideration of caste, creed, position or social status, go with one mind and one `mantra' dreaming constantly of the darshan of the presiding deity at the Holy Sannidhanam.

The main pilgrimage season is from 14 Nov to 20th Jan every year. This season encompasses Mandala pooja and Makara Vilakku celebrations. Immediately after  Mandala pooja, the temple closes for five days prior to re-opening for the the Makaravilakku session.  The most auspicious moment is `Makara Vilakku' celebrations on `Makara Sankranti' day which generally falls on Jan 14th. On this day, at dusk, Lord Ayyappa's idol is adorned with Thiruvabharanam (Divine Ornaments of Ayyappa) brought from the home of his ancestors (Pandalam Maharajah at Pandalam Palace). After this the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum are thrown open for the 'Aarti'. It is at this time that the Divine Light `Makara Jyothi' is visible at `Ponnambalamedu". However, the rush of pilgrims is so much on that day that many pilgrims prefer visiting during other days/seasons.                            

In order of `rush' of pilgrims, the most crowded day is Makara Sankranti. In fact, during the period between Vrischikam 1st and Makarom 1st(14 Nov to 14 Jan), there is a heavy rush of pilgrims. There is insufficient place for car parking at Pampa and at times the cars have to be parked many many kilometres away.

Next comes `Onam' days and then `Vishu'. Thiruvonam (falls approximately during the third week of August) is in the Malayalam month of Chingam. Vishu (Apr 13/14/15) is in the Malayalam month of Medam. These are again days when a fairly large number of pilgrims visit the temple. During Vishu, the temple remains open till 20th of the month.

During the other monthly opening days of the temple, the flow of pilgrims is less. The surroundings of the temple are much more peaceful and one can visit the temple more peacefully and leisurely.

Sabarimala - General Health Warnings

The Pilgrimage to Sabarimala should not be taken lightly.  Devotees with health issues

are advised to keep the following in mind:

1.    Please be aware that as altitude increases, atmospheric density reduces. This causes

reduction in the level of oxygen available while breathing in. This could give rise to many

medical problems.

2.    Those suffering from or susceptible to any heart ailments , especially pilgrims above

the age of 55 yrs should heed the following warnings. This also applies to pilgrims with

diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol etc:

Before setting out on your pilgrimage, consult your physician and undergo a medical

check up inclusive of ECG.

Those with heart ailments or those prone to heart diseases must avoid undertaking the

pilgrimage during peak seasons when there is heavy crowding.

Carry along a diary in which your maladies as well names of advised prescription drugs

are mentioned.

If you are under medication for heart ailments or blood pressure, under no circumstances

should you suddenly terminate intake of these medicines unless advised by your

physician.

People with heart ailments must climb slopes gently and slowly. Do not be in a hurry.

Rest frequently.

Keep a check on your pulse. If your pulse goes above 140 beats per minute or is showing

signs of irregularity in rhythm, seek the services of a doctor.

Do not climb with after having consumed full meals. Keep your meals light during the

pilgrimage.

While climbing up to Sannidhanam, if you experience any breathlessness, giddiness or

chest pain, cease climbing immediately. Enroute, there are enough medical camps and

oxygen parlours. Please seek attention from a doctor. Akhil Bharath Ayyappa Seva Sangh

stretcher service volunteers are ever ready to help you.

If you have been advised to take 'Isordin tablets' please follow the prescribed dosage. Do

not exceed the dosage lest it cause rapid reduction in blood pressure and bring on

giddiness/fainting.

Please be aware that if your blood sugar level is low, it results in 'hypoglycemia'.

Indications are sweating, tiredness, dizziness etc. You are likely to faint during climbs.

Stop your climb immediately. Consume some light food. Carry along some chocolates or

sugar. If 'hypoglycemia' hits you, consume some chocolate or sugar.

Those suffering from very high blood pressure, must get themselves examined by a

physician and must discontinue the pilgrimage if the blood pressure remains high.

3.  Other pilgrims must also be aware of certain medical problems:

Breathlessness - The cause could by many. Some common problems are asthma, chronic

bronchitis, heavy smoking,  The atmosphere during the en route and at Sannidhanam is

likely to be very polluted due to dust, smoke, low temperature etc. Please consult your

physician and get yourself attended to. This must be done well before the pilgrimage as

the medications prescribed by the physician will some time/days to have its full effect.

Pollution of water bodies occurs due to heavy crowds and unsanitary practices. This

could bring in water borne diseases like hepatitis, typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, amoebiasis,

food poisoning etc. Possibility of airborne infections are also there. These include

influenza, pneumonia, mumps, chicken pox, conjunctivitis etc. So boil water before

consuming.

Persons with any infectious disease must avoid undertaking the pilgrimage till the

infection has been cured.

Be very particular about sanitation and cleanliness.

There are five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the Western Ghats in

Kerala, including the famous Sabarimala Shrine. It is believed that these temples were

founded by Lord Parashurama. Dharma Shasta or Lord Ayyappa is represented

in different stages of his life in these temples. Legend has it that Lord Ayyappa

passed through Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu and Achankoil on his return to Madurai with

the milk of leopardess.

In the Ayyappa temple at Kulathupuzha near Thenmala in Kollam District, Lord appears as

Balaka or child and is known as ‘Manikantan.’

At Aryankavu in Kollam District, Lord Ayyappa appears as a young man - Brahmachari. The temple

is closely associated with the Pandi Raja of Madurai.

At Achankoil Sasta Temple in Pathanamthita District, the Lord appears as a Grahastha with his two

consorts Poorna and Pushkala. The idol of Ayyappa here is in Rudraksha Shila.

At Sabarimala, Lord is depicted in the Vanaprastha form. And this is the most popular shrine.

At Ponnambala Medu or Kantamala, the Lord appears as yogi and the

‘Makaravilaku’ emanate fromhere.

It must be noted that temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa or Dharma Shasta can be found

in several parts of Kerala, in other Indian states and in foreign countries. In Kerala, even

in temple dedicated to other gods in Hindu pantheon, there will be a Sasta shrine.

Kulathupuzha

The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Kulathupuzha near Thenmala in Kollam District of Kerala is

an important shrine visited by Ayyappa devotees especially during the Mandala-

Makaravilaku season. This Shasta shrine is located on the banks of Kulathu Puzha, a

tributary of Kallada River, and is in the reserve forest. The deity here is Manikantan or

the child form of Lord Ayyappa. There is an interesting legend regarding the origin of the

Ayyappa Temple at Kulathupuzha. Once and elderly Brahmin returning from his

Rameshwaram pilgrimage camped on the Kallada Riverbank. His servants started the

preparation for the evening meal and they looked out for stones to create the makeshift

oven.

They found a fixed stone nearby and brought two stones to create the oven. But the

fixed stone was bigger than the two stones. The servants placed two stones on top of

other to adjust the height. Suddenly, the first stone grew a bit taller. The poor servants

raised the level of the two stones again but the fixed stone again grew a bit taller. This

exercise of adjusting the height continued for awhile.

Finally frustrated with the fixed stone, one of the servants hit the fixed stone with

another stone. Suddenly blood gushed out of the fixed stone and the scared servants ran

and reported the matter to the Brahmin. The Brahmin sprinkled some tirtha (sacred

water) brought from Rameshwaram on the bleeding fixed stone. Soon, Lord Ayyappa

appeared in the form of child before the Brahmin and his servants. The local chief who

came to know about this incident built at temple for the deity.

Kulathupuzha town is situated on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road.

Kulathupuzha is 60 km north-east of Thiruvananthapuram and 64 km east of Kollam.

Nearest railway station is at Kollam.

Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple

The Ayyappa Temple at Aryankavu in Kollam District is one among the five most

important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. The shrine at Aryankav is known

as Aryankavu Shastha Temple and Lord Ayyappa is depicted as a teenager (young boy)

here. Ayyappa is known as Tiruaryan here and therefore the place got the name

Aryankavu. Surrounded by forests, the temple is located on the Trivandrum – Tenkasi

National Highway. Just like in Sabarimala, women from the age 10 to 50 are not allowed

inside the Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple.

The rituals and pujas followed at Aryankavu Sastha Temple is that of Tamil tradition. The

sanctum sanctorum of the temple has idols of Devi, Shiva and Sastha. A young Ayyappa

sits in the middle with Devi on the left side and Shiva on the right side.

The festival at the temple is celebrated during the last days of the Sabarimala Mandala

Kalam. The most important festivals observed here include Pandiyanmudippu,

Trikalyanam and Kumbhabhishekam.

The temple can be accessed by traveling on Kollam – Punalur – Thenkasi road or by

traveling on the Trivandrum – Thenkasi road.

Achankoil Sastha Temple

Achankoil Shastha Temple, or the Dharmasastha Temple, is one among the five

important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. Lord Ayyappa leads the

Grihastha Ashrama life here – he is depicted as a family man or leads married life here.

He is depicted along with his two wives – Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that the idol

here was installed by Lord Parashurama. The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for

curing poisonous snake bites. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankoil Shastha

Temple always holds ‘Chandan’ (sandalwood paste) and Thirtha (holy water). The

Chandan and Thirtha are considered to have medicinal properties to cure snake bites.

The temple complex also contains other deities associated with the Ayyappa legend. The

festivals and rituals held here have strong Tamil roots.

The most important festival here is celebrated from the first to tenth day of Malayalam

month Dhanu (December – January).

There are bus services from Punalur and Chengottai to reach the temple. Also there are

private services from Konni, Aryankavu etc.