Happy Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th of January every year is an auspicious day for Hindus. It is also a special time for devotees of Lord Ayyappa who undertake the pilgrimage to Sabari hills where they offer prayers and converge to witness a spectacle called Makar Jyoti (Heavenly light). Ayyappa, the deity at Sabarimala - situated in the Western Ghats in Pattanamthitta district of Kerala - is popularly known as Dharma Shasta. The deity is also known as Ayya, Ayyan, Appan or KaliyugVaradan. He is believed to be the one who protects us from all the evil propensities of Kaliyug. He is called Sarva Roga Nivarana Dhawanthara-murthi or the one who cures all diseases. Ayyappa is also known to be an incarnation of Vishnu who assumed the form of an enchantress, Mohini, and her union with Shiva led to the conception and birth of Lord Ayyappa. He is believed to have been born near the Pamba River. Ayyappa’s incarnation on earth was to annihilate the demon Mahishasur who could be killed only by a confluence of the Vishnu-Shiva power. In this manner, Ayyappa is the avatar of the cosmic forces of Hari and Hara and so is also known as Harihar-putra. The day of Ayyappa’s birth is also known as Makar Vilakku day, the first day of Makar, Uttarayanam or Krishna Paksha under the star Uttram. Those who are born on this auspicious day are believed to be divya purushas of 64 kalas, blessed with great potential and promise. Certain customs are observed when one undertakes a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandala puja observes austerities for 41 days. During this period pilgrims abstain from non-vegetarian food and all cardinal pleasures.

Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed.

The easiest route is via Chalakkayam by which one can reach the banks of River Pamba. Pamba is the main halting point on the 4-5 km long trek that takes you to the abode of Ayyappa in Sabarimala. Pilgrims climb the 18 golden steps to reach the Sannidhanam or sanctum sanctorum of the Lord and witness the divya darshanam.

On the this day, several significant supernatural events take place, making the events at Sabaramila an incredible experience for the devotees. During the procession undertaken from Pandalam Palace to the Sabari hills each year, a Garuda bird hovers in the sky over the bejewelled caravan. Once the procession reaches Sabarimala, the Garuda hovers over the flag post overlooking the sanctum sanctorum. Another event is the occurrence of what appears to be a bright glittering star in the sky facing the sanctum sanctorum. During these celebrations at Sabarimala more than 4 million pilgrims from various geographical, social and linguistic backgrounds converge for an unusual spiritual experience and darshan of Lord Ayyappa.