Significance Of 18 Steps In Sabarimala Temple

Sabarimala is the one of the most visited pilgrimage places where lakhs of people visit the temple to take the blessings of the Lord Ayyappa. Every year the number of devotees does increase to a great extent, as more believers get pulled into visiting this miraculous holy place. The most important part of the temple is the 18 steps. If you want to see Lord Ayyappa, you need to climb the 18 steps with the 'irumudi' on your head.

Each step has its own significance. Read on to find out what the 18 steps mean.

The First 5 Steps - Panchendriyas The first five steps are referred to as the panchendriyas or the 5 senses, that is, the eyes, nose, ears, mouth and touch.

Panchendriyas : It is said that the human eye should always see good things and should refrain from seeing inauspicious sights. We need to hear the good things and should not give a thought to gossip. The tongue must be used in speaking good words only and should always chant the name of the Lord Ayyappa. We always need to breathe fresh air and take the fragrance of the flowers that is offered to the Lord. When it comes to the sense of touch, a person should always touch the japa mala and must chant the Lord's name.

The Next 8 Steps - Ashtaragas The ashtaragas are the kama, krodha, lobha, moha, madha, matsarya, asooya and dhumba.

Ashtaragas The ashtaragas convey that a person should never have ego and should give up on jealousy. He should chant the name of the Lord. He should not be greedy for anything in life. He should help and guide the bad people to follow a right path in life.

The Next Three Steps � The Trigunas The trigunas are the satva, rajas and thamas. The trigunas tell that one should be active and give up on laziness. There should be no ego and one has to surrender himself to the Lord Ayyappa.

The Last Two Steps � Vidya And Avidya The last two steps are the vidya and avidya. Vidya means knowledge. We need to attain knowledge by giving up on our ego (or avidya) and attain salvation.

Realisation It is believed that after climbing the 18 steps in Sabarimala, one attains the knowledge of life and realises the purpose of life.

Mandala Puja

Mandala Puja is an important ritual observed at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. It is observed from the 1st day of the �Vrishchikam� month till the 11th or 12th day of the �Dhanu� masam in the traditional Malayalam calendar. The day of Mandala Puja marks the end of the 41 days long austerity that is observed by the followers or devotees of Lord Ayyappa. The fast begins 41 before the observance of Mandala Puja, that is, the first day of the Malayalam month of �Vrishchikam�. Mandala Puja along with �Makar Vilakku� are the two major events held at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple that draws devotees from all over Kerala and neighbouring states. During this time the temple remains open on most of the days for the devotees. As a tradition, devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple during the Mandala Puja also visit the �Guruvayur Temple�. During this time special �Abhishekam� ceremony is organized in the �Guruvayur Temple�.

Significance of Mandala Puja:

The significance of Mandala Puja is stated in several Puranas. It is mentioned in these religious scriptures that a person�s destiny can be positively changed only by performing Mandala Puja. This puja can be performed by any individual solely but it can only be done once during his/her lifetime. Mandala Puja is a very powerful puja that grants fulfilment of all the desires if done with full devotion and dedication. It has been witnessed that a person got what he/she wants after completing the Mandala Puja. The celebrations of Mandala Puja connotes the 41 days of austerities. The strictness of the vratham during Mandala Puja helps to cleanse the soul. The austerity can be observed by all, both men and women alike. Females aged between 1-9 years and those above 50 are also allowed to do the Mandala Puja vratham and they are known as �Malikapuram�.

Rituals during Mandala Puja:

• Vratam or fasting is an integral part of Mandala Puja that is observed with full dedication and strictness by the traditional and orthodox people of South India.
• Living in austerity is also mandatory for people who visit the pilgrimage at Sabarimala shrine. During the period of Mandala Puja, devotees lead a pious and simple life. Devotees wear Rudraksha or Tulsi mala with Lord Ayyappa�s locket till the time they make a visit to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and then they take out the Mala. The devotees during this time are referred as �Swami� or �Ayyappan�.
• During the period of Mandala Puja, devotees need to keep their body as well as mind clean and they must completely shun the worldly pleasures.
• Refraining from alcohol and smoke is mandatory for all the devotees visiting the Sabarimala shrine during the Mandala Puja. It is important to pray twice daily. During this period they must avoid sex and try not to hurt other�s feelings.
• The austerities of Mandala Puja ends with �Kalabhaattam�. In this ritual a mixture of camphor, rose water, saffron and sandalwood paste is poured on the deity. It is conducted once every year and is the right of only Zamorin Rajas.

2016 Date : 26th December.

Mandala Kalam

The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala is a world famous temple located at an altitude of 914 metres. Mandala Kalam, also known as Mandala Masam is the main pilgrimage season of this renowned Sabarimala Temple. Mandala Kalam Begins from the first day of the �Vrishchikam� masam and ends on the eleventh day of the �Dhanu� masam as per the traditional Malayalam calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, this time corresponds to the months of December-January. Mandala Kalam lasts for a period of 41 days when millions of devotees from all corners of the world, throng the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.

Significance of Mandala Kalam 

According to the legends Lord Ayyappa meditated at this place after killing the demon named �Mahishi�. Mandala Kalam or Mandala Masam is the period dedicated to the Sabarimala shrine that lasts for 41 days. During this period devotees observe strict austerity. After the 41 days of the pilgrimage season, Lord Ayyappa Temple remains close for a period of three days and is re-opened on the fourth day for darshan. People belonging to any religion can visit the Sabarimala Temple as there is no discrimination of caste or creed. However female devotees aged between 10-50 years are prohibited from visiting the Sabarimala Temple during Mandala Kalam period. The annual pilgrimage season of the famous Sabarimala Temple continues from mid-November to mid-January and comes to an end with the celebrations of �Makaravilakku�. Millions of devotees visit the Sabarimala Shrine during Mandala Kalam to offer their sacred prayers to Lord Ayyappa.

Rituals during Mandala Kalam Begins:

• Before the Mandala Kalam Begins devotees observe vrata or penance for several days in advance. Staunch devotees also keep strict fast during the Mandala Kalam (41 days) while some even observe a fasting or penance for few days. They refrain from eating non-vegetarian food, avoid sex and wear a special �Rudraksha� mala during this time.
• Those visiting the Sabarimala Temple as the Mandala Kalam Begins, wear black dhotis. These devotees also carry �Irumudi� or �Ketunira�, which is a cloth bundle, partitioned into two parts and contain a holy coconut with rice and ghee. The �Irumudi� is taken for offering to Lord Ayyappa.
• As the Mandala Kalam Begins, there is also a ritual of visiting the Shri Krishna Temple as Guruvayur.

2016 Date : 26th December.