Sabarimala Ayyapan Temple

Sabarimala is the place famous for Lord Ayyapan. Many devotees from all over the world come here every year to have a holy darshan. In order to have a holy darshan one need perform fasting by not eating non-veg, no smoking or drinking, no tobacco and should not engage in sexual activities for one mandalam (period of 41 days). During this period devotes should wear sacred mala like Tulasi mala and should visit local temples daily. It is advised not to wear slippers/shoes. Devotees should take head bath twice a day and should sleep in floor only and not on beds. When devotees start their holy journey they form groups and have their irumudi tied in any temple. Some devotees go to several temples and then go to sabarimalai. Devotees should have a holy bath in Pamba River and then start to walk to the top of the hill and when they finally reach at the top devotees with irumudi are only allowed to walk in holy 18 steps as they signify various specialties then you can have the holy darshan. After having the holy darshan the guru samy in the devotees group will open the irumudi bag and separate various items in the bag and then the devotees will hand over them to devasthanam stalls. Early in the morning the collected ghee from irumudi is sent for abhishekam. They will get the holy abhishekam ghee after performing the holy activity and the devotees distribute them equally and take them as holy prasadam. After returning from temple devotees should go to temple and remove the holy tulasi mala.