Sabarimala (Its Timeless Message)

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During the season of pilgrimage, millions move towards the shrine of Sabarimala, deep within the lush green tropical forests of the Sahya mountain ranges, to worship Lord Ayyappa.

It is the universal spiritual vision transcending the religious limitations and an opportunity for a period of holistic spiritual discipline to reinforce the body, mind and Spirit the inspire them to take part in the unparalleled pilgrimage.

The book is an exploration into the depths of the spiritual journey, which is a part of man’s eternal quest to know his relation with the Supreme Reality.

Till about fifty years ago the pilgrimage to Sri Dharma Shaastha or Sri Ayyappa temple of Sabarimala was mostly confined to the people of the old Travancore State of south India. Road transport and rail facilities were then very limited. With their hearts surging with devotion, the pilgrims in groups, wearing blue or black clothes, and carrying on their head the Irumudikkettu, the package of offerings and provisions, used to trek long distances in groups to reach the shrine of Lord Ayyappa. The routes covered small towns, villages and long stretches of mountainous terrain, of dense forests inhabited by wild animals. In those days the maximum number of pilgrims reaching Sabarimala in any peak was season only up to 15,000.

Today, the scene is drastically different. The latest estimate of their number is around fifty millions. The number is steadily increasing every year. Pilgrims from all over India and aborad reach this forest shrine to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. The whole of Kerala reverberates with the chanting Swamiye sharanam Ayyappa - O Lord Ayyappa, you are our refuge.

There have also emerged Sri Ayyappa shrines all over the country; they are being established abroad too. What is the reason for such growing popular focus on and participation in the worship of Lord Ayyappa? The comforts of man's outer world have increased many fold, but his vital inner world remains neglected. This imbalance has increased his mental tension also many fold. As the over-emphasised materialism of the consumerist civilization alienates him from his greater dimensions, the subsequent sense of suffocation makes him yearn for a different experience and a greater vision of life. It is the broad-based spiritual longing and approach that transcend the limitations of religious dogmatism, combined with an opportunity for a period of holistic spiritual disciplines that reinforce the body, mind and soul involved in Sri Ayyappa worship, that inspires him to take part in the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

There exist diverse theories and views about Sri Ayyappa and his worship. Most of them dwell elaborately on the legendary or historical aspects. There is no dearth of intellectual discussion on whether Sri Ayyappa is an Aryan or Dravidian God, whether His form and the pilgrimage have a Hindu or Buddhist origin, whether he is a historical figure or not, etc. And in the debate what gets neglected is the most vital - the underlying spiritual wisdom.

What attracts millions to this vibrant centre of Divine Power, is neither mythological stories nor historical importance, but the very personal experience of spiritual solace and harmony. In a historical assessment what is overlooked is the very essence - the blending of many positive aspects of religious concepts and spiritual disciplines that gives a broad-based practical impetus to the striving of man to know himself and to find a greater meaning to his life.

The legendary and historical aspects, of course, have been discussed in the book, but what is given importance is the all-embracing Spiritual Fact that transcends time and space, legend and history and points out to us the Source of all that exist.