Context: Makaravilakku was celebrated at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, coinciding with Makara Sankranti on 14th January 2025.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Makaravilakku Festival; Sabarimala Temple.
About Makaravilakku Festival
- Makaravilakku is an annual festival held in Kerala at the Sabarimala temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
- The festival marks the culmination of a rigorous 41-day pilgrimage (which begins in mid-November and ends on Makara Sankranti) to honor Lord Ayyappa.
- On this day, Lord Ayyappa is believed to have manifested in the form of a divine light, marking the arrival of prosperity and happiness.
Rituals:
- 41-Day Pilgrimage (Vratham):
- Devotees who wish to participate in the Makaravilakku festival must observe a 41-day vratham which has strict conduct like celibacy, fasting, and wearing black or saffron clothing.
- The pilgrimage represents a period of self-purification, discipline, and devotion.
- Makara Jyothi (divine light):
- Makaravilakku or Makara Jyothi is one of the central elements of the festival.
- It is believed to be the divine light (symbolic presence) of Lord Ayyappa, and it appears at a specific spot near the temple in the evening.
- Grand Thiruvabharanam procession:
- On Makaravilakku day, the sacred Thiruvabharanam, the royal ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are carried by a procession that moves from the Pandalam Palace to the Sabarimala temple, accompanied by chanting and music.
About Sabarimala Temple
- Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Ayyappan, also known as Dharma Shasta.
- According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ayyappa is the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (Vishnu in his incarnation as Mohini).
- It is one of the largest annual pilgrimage sites in the world, with an estimate of over 10 to 15 million devotees visiting every year.
- The temple practices prohibit the women between the ages of 10 and 50 years from accessing the temple premises.
- In 2018, the Supreme Court of India invalidated the prohibition on female entry inside the temple.
Geographical location:
- Location: Sabarimala hill, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.
- The temple is surrounded by 18 hills in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- The temple is located on the banks of the river Pamba.
- Pamba River (Pampa River/ Dakshina Bhageerathi) is one of the longest river in Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha.
- During ancient times, it was called 'River Baris'.