Śabarimalai

Lord Ayyappa · Western Ghats, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala

Śabarimalai is the forest hill shrine of Ayyappa (Dharma Śāstā), set within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Pilgrims traditionally keep a 41-day vow of simplicity, celibacy and vegetarian food, wear black or blue, call each other “Swāmi”, and carry the irumuḍi, a two-part bundle of offerings, on their heads.

The temple opens for the Maṇḍala–Makaravilakku season (about mid-November to mid-January) and on the first days of each Malayalam month. Only those carrying the irumuḍi climb the eighteen holy steps. The traditional restriction on women of menstruating age has been the subject of legal and public debate.

Tradition says Ayyappa was born of Śiva and of Viṣṇu in his enchanting form as Mohinī, and was found as a baby by the childless king of Pandalam, who raised him as a prince. As a youth he defeated the demoness Mahiṣī, then chose to sit in meditation on Śabarimalai as a celibate yogi, blessing all who come with a pure vow.

Kerala · Ayyappa · 41-day vratam · Makaravilakku

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