The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala is one of the most famous Hindu shrines in India. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the temple to offer prayers and worship the deity, Lord Ayyappa or Ayyappan. Situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve and surrounded by dense forest, the temple happens to be one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the country. It is considered to be one of the holiest places in Hinduism. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa was born here, and the temple is thus of great spiritual importance. As the temple is situated in the middle of a dense forest, the only way to reach here is by foot. Do you know why is Sabarimala famous?
Sabarimala Temple in Kerala
The journey to the temple is a very holy & sacred one, and pilgrims often undertake it as a form of religious penance. The shrine is of Lord Ayyappa, and is the place where he meditated for many years. The temple premises are fully open to all Hindu devotees, irrespective of their caste, color or creed. However, women of childbearing age are not allowed to enter the temple, as people believe that the deity Ayyappan is celibate.
A trust manages the temple, and the main income comes from the pilgrims who visit the temple. Kerala government also supports it. This temple is only accessible after an arduous trek through the forest, and pilgrims often have to walk for several days to reach the shrine. The journey is a holy one, and is cleanses the mind & body of all impurities. Every year, the temple attracts a host of pilgrims from all over the country, and is a scene of great devotional fervor. The temple is a symbol of the Hindu faith, and is a popular destination for tourists as well.
Why Is Sabarimala Famous
Sabarimala is famous for its uniqueness and for the holy pilgrimage that Hindus undertake to reach the temple. It is a place of great religious importance for Hindus, and is one of the most popular temples in Kerala. There are many reasons why Sabarimala is such a popular and important temple.
- Firstly, it is one of the few temples where women cannot enter. This is because people believe that the deity, Lord Ayyappa, is a celibate. As a result, the temple is a place of great purity, and is particularly popular with pilgrims, who are looking to detoxify themselves spiritually.
- Secondly, the temple is in a very remote and difficult to reach location. This makes the pilgrimage to Sabarimala a very challenging & arduous one, which is a test of faith by many Hindus. The journey to the temple usually takes several days, and involves climbing a steep hill. This makes the achievement of reaching the temple sweeter, and adds to its spiritual significance.
- Thirdly, the temple houses number of rare & sacred objects having great power. These include the 18 steps leading up to the temple. These represent the 18 Puranas, & the holy Pond of Purity.
Stay at Devi Royal Residency on Your Trip Kerala
You must pay a definitive visit to the Sabarimala Temple while on your trip to Kerala. Devi Royal Residency happens to be a great place to stay while on your pilgrimage to Sabarimala, Kerala.
