Taking a step towards their spiritual growth, followers of lord Ayyappan worshipped as Dharmashasta in Sabarimala temple participated in a similar Mandala Puja at Ayyappa temple, Mahalaxmi nagar in Indore.
The 60-day-long puja begins in almost all Ayyappa temple simultaneously as Sabarimala. About 30 million people from all over India including hundreds from Indore will be travelling to Sabarimala for conclusion of the Puja on Makar Sankranti. The puja began on first day of Scorpion month according to Malayam calendar on Sunday.
Talking about the rituals and festivities, president of temple committee Sajan Panicker said, “Men generally fast for 41 days starting today as a part of the puja.” The fast limits them from having non-vegetarian food andmood influences like alcohol and cigarettes.
“The puja is about ‘Bhav’ i.e. experience and feeling, which is the reason that every devotee must concentrate on experience and self-development,” Panicker said. Devotees participating in the also have to follow celibacy.
Quoting the importance of the festival, academic director of a school and devotee Shashikala Nair said, “Feminists have been arguing about entering Sabarimala temple, but they need to understand rituals and belief about the place and deity first.”
She talked about ‘Yog Nidra', where the deity is in extreme peace, which is difficult for a person to reach. “The 41 days of prayer and fast are considered to help a person reach the stage in spiritual growth that they can visit the temple post it,” Shashikala said.
After the 41 days of fast, devotees climb the hill to Sabarimala and get a glimpse of the deity.
“Now it takes a couple of hours to reach the temple, but in olden days it would take 19 days,” temple committee secretary Mohanan Nair said. Overall the entire puja would normally conclude after 80 days, which is shorter now.
Sharing his experience, community member Suresh Kumar said, “We would like to someday visit and experience the power of Sabarimala temple, but this Puja can help us in experiencing the power of life and finding ourselves.”
The 60-day-long puja begins in almost all Ayyappa temple simultaneously as Sabarimala. About 30 million people from all over India including hundreds from Indore will be travelling to Sabarimala for conclusion of the Puja on Makar Sankranti. The puja began on first day of Scorpion month according to Malayam calendar on Sunday.
Talking about the rituals and festivities, president of temple committee Sajan Panicker said, “Men generally fast for 41 days starting today as a part of the puja.” The fast limits them from having non-vegetarian food andmood influences like alcohol and cigarettes.
“The puja is about ‘Bhav’ i.e. experience and feeling, which is the reason that every devotee must concentrate on experience and self-development,” Panicker said. Devotees participating in the also have to follow celibacy.
Quoting the importance of the festival, academic director of a school and devotee Shashikala Nair said, “Feminists have been arguing about entering Sabarimala temple, but they need to understand rituals and belief about the place and deity first.”
She talked about ‘Yog Nidra', where the deity is in extreme peace, which is difficult for a person to reach. “The 41 days of prayer and fast are considered to help a person reach the stage in spiritual growth that they can visit the temple post it,” Shashikala said.
After the 41 days of fast, devotees climb the hill to Sabarimala and get a glimpse of the deity.
“Now it takes a couple of hours to reach the temple, but in olden days it would take 19 days,” temple committee secretary Mohanan Nair said. Overall the entire puja would normally conclude after 80 days, which is shorter now.
Sharing his experience, community member Suresh Kumar said, “We would like to someday visit and experience the power of Sabarimala temple, but this Puja can help us in experiencing the power of life and finding ourselves.”
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