1200. Sabarimala Yatra......

Ayyappa is “Hariharatmajam” the Manasa Putra of Maharudradeva and Mohini (Avtara of Maha Vishnu). Though it is mentioned that Maharudradeva was enchanted by the beauty of Mohini there is no mention of the birth of Ayyappa in Srimad Bhagvata. The Stalapurana of the temple says that he was brought up by the King of Pandala in Kerala and was sanctified in the temple in the hill temple of Sabari Malai.

It is not a regular place of worship and the peculiarity is in not allowing women. Why were women not allowed we need to introspect?

If we look at the customs, traditions and rituals it is or rather a must for a person to take up “Deeksha” (Religious Consecration) before the commencement of the Yatra (Journey) to Sabarimala. The consecration demanded every devotee to observe a minimum of one “Mandala” (41 days) of Vrata (Vow) of Brahmacharya (Tread the path of Brahman), here one should not confuse it to celibacy though it is one of the prerequisite conditions. There are certain other aspects which starts from Maladharana (wearing Rudraksha or Tulasi mala) to Mita Aahara (Limited food intake), Mita Bhaasha Sathya Vaakku (Less talk but talk Truth), Karye Daiva (Work is God), Sarva Prani Samanattva (Treat all living creatures equally), Sarvamata Samanattva (Secular Attitude), Bhajana Annasantarpana (take part in worship and share food). Vastra Dharana (Wearing either black or blue dress) this dress code was to act as camouflage to avoid the wild animal while going from Erumeli to Pampa (a distance of 61 kms) through tough forest.

Now, we need to understand that any woman who is in the menstruation age will have her cycle in the middle of the Mandala within the period of 41 days. Also the shrine was in the middle of Tiger reserve forest and it was required to trek from Erumely to Pampa and then from Pampa to Sannidhana. This journey was a knee-jerking one.  

  

Two or three decades ago it was compulsory for every devotee how much ever high status he maintained or how much ever influential he was, to complete a Mandala and carry Irumudi on his head to come to the Sannidhana (Shrine). {Irrumudi is an important part of the journey and is necessary for the devotee to be allowed to climb the “Pathinettam Padi” 18 steps to reach Sannidhana. Irumudi means two knots (of twin compartment bundle), the Munmudi (Front Compartment) is to carry the offerings to the Lord while in Pinmudi (Back Compartment) the devotee could carry his personal belongings. Irumudi weighs around 4-5 kgs}.

Now, look at the scenario if one wish to carry out a pilgrimage to Sabarimala he can drive till Pampa (no more “Petta Thullai”, the ritual dance at Erumely), park his vehicle at Nilakkal parking lot, take a dip at Pampa go to any Guru Swamy (there are plenty of them on the banks of Pampa) who can prepare “instant” Irumudi. Walk up the hill to reach the Sannidhana which is only 5 kms. This 5 kms is no longer a difficult terrain the Devastanam Board has laid a concrete path with shops offering cool drinks. There is no fear of wild animals anymore or have we heard of animal attacks. The whole pilgrimage is made that simple.

If women were not allowed to the temple here (Note: there is no restriction on women entering any other Ayyappa Sannidhana across the country) it was mainly due to 41 days of strict “Mandala Vrata” and the tedious terrain. We need to think why that “Mandala Vrata” was relaxed and why the distance of trek was shortened. Even those who do not wear Mala or carry Irumudi are allowed to have Darshanam (if not allowed to climb the holy 18 steps).

If the “Deeksha” yardstick is shortened for the whims and fancies, there are people with vested interest who will question the restriction of woman folk. Was it not our foolishness not to maintain the “Pavitrata” (Sanctity) of that Punya Kshetra (Holy Place) to keep every barking dog away from the pious matters???

We need to think.......only looking at the commercial aspect alone will not help.