We all believe in god, because without the presence of God nothing is possible. Have anyone ever thought about what we do in return for all his blessings in fact we are not doing anything but at least for the satisfaction of human mind we are making some compromises in our food diet and also our usual habits. In this duration of time we are presenting ourselves before the God.
The journey starts here , presenting himself before the god
Giving himblessings for safe journey ahead
In the district of Pathanamthitta, the number of devotees of Lord Ayyappa increases year by year in Sabarimala, the residing place of Lord Ayyappa and one of the oldest sites in world history. From the first of malayala masam Vrichikam’ the chants of “Swamiyee saranamayyappa’ will start to chime in the “God’s own country. Without any difference of religion or caste lakhs of devotees flow to Sabarimala to have a sight of Lord Ayyappa.
‘Thalappara mala’ the place where lord Ayyappa came and relax his place’
Returning from there to see vavar
Spiritual Transformation
The stage of a Sabarimala pilgrim starts from the day be wears a chain indicating that he is ready by his soul and go on fast for 41 days and finally presenting himself before Lord Ayyappa. The phase starts with the devotee wearing a chain, which he receives at the temple he regularly visits, usually located near his residence. On the same day or a few days prior, the devotee visits the Thalappara Mala temple, situated in the heart of Erumeli town.
There he surrenders before God and asks for his blessings for his Ownerd world journey to Sabarimala. This is the last point where the devotees get themselves ready with his full heart and hope that he would transform himself into a new being.
Entry into the mosque of vavar swamy
Next hault at Erumeli temple the journey continues
Ritual Journey of a Sabarimala Pilgrim
He enters the mosque in front of the temple shortly after. And he walks about we swami and petta sashthavu. He visits Erumeli temple. The mosque-temple route is called pettathullaliti of hues and green foliage. From there, he visits Sabarimala. One can reach Sabarimala by traveling on the road or walking through the deep jungle, which is believed to be the path Lord Ayyappa took. Both routes lead to Pambus, Sabarimala’s downhill part, where the adventure begins. He visits Cherthala’s Arthunkal church after seeing Lord Ayyappa. Devotees remove their 41-day chain here. Fr. Giacomo Fenecio $3 wanted to learn kalan martial arts. They became pals after meeting. Lord Ayyappa called him Veluthachan and promised that everyone would meet him following his visit.Later, everyone worshipped St. Sebastian as Arthunkal church’s principal deity.
starting to climb the Sabarimala
Saying last prayer before starting the journey
And so the pilgrimage is over. The pilgrims retum home with the ut most satisfaction of having been blessed by their deities of 3 different communities. Feel blessed in every way. His mind and soul will now be filled with happiness, peace and joy. This is all we need in life as human beings always and will forever desire.
All the sins have been washed away
After leaving Sabarimala then going to Arthunkal church is the next destination
Copyrights: All the photos and text in this post are copyright of Lizza Abraham, Pathanamthitta and Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film. Their reproduction, full or part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of rightful owners.
