Sabarimala hero!
The festival starts at Karthikai for Dharmashastha, whose temple is at Sabarimala. Devotees fast for 41 days to 60 days by suppressing the five months.
The word Vratham can be divided into V+Vratham. Even in higher English, V’ is taken as a symbol of victory in the meaning of Victory. Ratham means chariot Fasting helps the chariot of life to run successfully. Fasting is not just about food restriction. The five senses like eyes, ears, nose, tongue and body are also restrained. They see everything they like. They listen and consume. Talking and enjoying. If these senses are controlled, the chariot of life will be on the right track. Ayyappa Vratam helps a lot in this.
The word Ayyappan is derived from the word Iyan. ‘Aiyan’ means ‘the high one, the great one’. Even now, people in the villages ask those who go to the Shasta temple, “Did you go to the Aiyan temple?” It is common to ask. There is a reason why he is considered the highest among the gods.
He got the name Ayyappan because he who lives not for himself but for others is the highest, in this way, Ayyappan risked his life to go to the forest and ride a tiger to relieve his mother’s headache at the age of 12, because he had such a great sense of sacrifice.
He is also called ‘Dharmasastha’. He incarnated to establish dharma in the world by destroying the demon Mahishi when the world suffered many miseries and established dharma. Thus, the epithet “Dharma” became associated with the name “Sasta”. The word “Shasta” means “God who is worshiped in multitudes.”
Even now, the Shasta temples are located within the dense forest, isolated oases away from the town. These places were full of animals. As it is dangerous to go here alone, the devotees go to worship Shasta with sound. Hearing this sound, the animals run away.
Although today there is no fear of going to Ayyappa’s temple, as per the old practice, they go chanting “Swami Dindakatom, Ayyappa Dindakatom…” and playing instruments.
Sabarimala temple was built by Parasurama. Shasta, the deity who protects the nation. Hence, he has consecrated 12 Shasta temples. Among them, Achankovil, Kulathuppuhi, Ariankavu, Shasthamkottai are famous. At Kulathuppuzhi, Ayyappan spent his life as a Balagan. He is depicted as a youth in Ariyanka, as a married couple in Achankovil and in a yogic posture (asceticism) in Sabarimala.
Devotees who go to Sabarimala are garlanded by the Guru. Guru should not be greedy for money for any reason. Even in normal life , he should live like water on the lotus leaf.
One’s comfort and money do not qualify one to become a Gurusami. His journey to Sabarimala, 18 years, 41 days of continuous fast to and fro through peruvazhipathai, through which he gained the divine power, the path, and the devotees.
He gets the qualification of guruswamy depending on his ability to lead the way.