Sabarimala
The Sabarimala Temple (; ml, ശബരിമല ക്ഷേത്രം) is a temple complex located at Sabarimala hill inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Perinad Village, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. 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 is dedicated to a Hindu ''Brahmachari'' (Celibate) deity Ayyappan also known as ''Dharma Shasta'', who according to belief is the son of Shiva and Mohini, the feminine incarnation of Vishnu. The traditions of Sabarimala are a confluence of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and other Śramaṇa traditions. The temple is situated on a hilltop amidst eighteen hills at an altitude of 1260 m (4,134 ft) above sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense forest, part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, around the temple is known as Poongavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Entry Of Women To Sabarimala
Sabarimala is a temple dedicated to Shasta in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. Women and girls of reproductive age were traditionally not permitted to worship there, as Shasta is a celibate deity. A Kerala high court provided a legal justification for this tradition, and from 1991 on, women were legally forbidden to enter the temple.Kerala High Court (5 April 1991) Bench: K Paripoornan, K B Marar; Source(accessed Sunday 1 May 2016) In September 2018, a judgement of the Supreme Court of India ruled that all Hindu pilgrims, regardless of gender, could enter the temple. The Constitution bench of the Supreme Court held that "any exception placed on women because of biological differences violates the Constitution." Specifically, the court held that the ban violated the right to equality under Article 14 and the right to freedom of religion under Article 25. This verdict led to protests by millions of Ayyappan devotees who opposed the verdict. A month later, about ten female ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ayyappan
Ayyappan an incarnation of dharma sastha, also called Manikandan, is a Hindu deity popular in Southern India, He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil. Although devotion to Ayyappan has been prevalent earlier in South India, his popularity rose only in the late 20th century. According to Hindu theology, he is the son of Harihara (Vishnu in the form of Mohini, and Shiva).Constance Jones and Ryan James (2014), Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Infobase Publishing, , page 58 Ayyappan is also referred to as Ayyappa, Sastavu, Hariharasudhan, Manikandan, Shasta or Dharma Shasta and Sabarinath. The iconography of Ayyappan depicts him as a handsome celibate ( Brahmachari) deity doing yoga and as an epitome of Dharma, who wears a bell around his neck. In the Hindu tradition popular in the Western Ghats of India, he was born with the powers of Shiva and Vishnu to confront and defeat the shape-shifting evil Buffalo demoness ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ayyappa
Ayyappan an incarnation of dharma sastha, also called Manikandan, is a Hindu deity popular in Southern India, He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil. Although devotion to Ayyappan has been prevalent earlier in South India, his popularity rose only in the late 20th century. According to Hindu theology, he is the son of Harihara (Vishnu in the form of Mohini, and Shiva).Constance Jones and Ryan James (2014), Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Infobase Publishing, , page 58 Ayyappan is also referred to as Ayyappa, Sastavu, Hariharasudhan, Manikandan, Shasta or Dharma Shasta and Sabarinath. The iconography of Ayyappan depicts him as a handsome celibate ( Brahmachari) deity doing yoga and as an epitome of Dharma, who wears a bell around his neck. In the Hindu tradition popular in the Western Ghats of India, he was born with the powers of Shiva and Vishnu to confront and defeat the shape-shifting evil Buffalo demoness M ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Nilakkal
Nilakkal (), also spelled Nilackal, or formerly Chayal, is a remote ghat region located in the Goodrical range of Ranni forest division in Pathanamthitta District in the Indian state of Kerala.Nearest Railway Station Is Thiruvalla,Located At A Distance Of 71 km. The place is noted mainly as an ''edathavalam'' or halting-place for the Ayyappa devotees during Sabarimala pilgrimage. Administratively, it falls under the Perunad grama panchayath in Ranni tehsil. Sabarimala, the famous Hindu pilgrim centre in southern India is located at a distance of in the north-east hilly region of Nilakkal. Etymology According to some historical records, the name ''Nilakkal'' is associated with ''Nilavaaya'', considered to be the presiding deity of old Shasta temple (present Sabarimala) at the forest interiors. While some other records has it that the name ''Nilakkal'' came from "Nilakkal thavalam". The place's alternate name ''Chayal'' denotes a place sloping towards Pamba river. But in anoth ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta (), is a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538. The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. Pathanamthitta District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala, was formed with effect from 1 November 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half of the total area of the District. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area in the State. The district has its borders with Allepey, Kottayam, Kollam and Idukki districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Nearest City Is Thiruvalla,Located At A Distance Of 30 km .Thiruvalla Railway Station Is 30 km via Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Highway.Buses Ply Every 4 Minutes From Thiruvalla To Pat ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Sabarimala (place)
Sabarimala is a hill situated in Perinad village, Ranni Taluk, Pathanamthitta district in Kerala State. This hill is situated at 72 kilometers from Pathanamthitta town. The distance from Ranni to Sabarimala is 60 kilometers. A motorable road is built from Ranni to Pampa, valley of Sabarimala hills. Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple The Sabarimala Temple (; ml, ശബരിമല ക്ഷേത്രം) is a temple complex located at Sabarimala hill inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Perinad Village, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. It is one of the largest ..., Malikappuram Temple are situated in one side of this hills. Sabarimala is a part of periyar tiger reserve and Western ghats. The height of Sabarimala from mean sea level is 1,260 meters. Gallery View of Hills Blue mountains sabarimala kerala - panoramio.jpg, DISTANT MOUNTAINS^SABARIMALA - panoramio.jpg, GREEN CANOPY^SABARIMALA KERALA INDIA - panoramio.jpg, MOUNTAINS SABARIMALA KERALA - panora ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Makaravilakku
Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makara Sankranti in Kerala, India at the shrine of Sabarimala. The festival includes the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) procession and a congregation at the hill shrine of Sabarimala. An estimated half a million devotees flow to Sabarimala every year to have a darshan (vision) of this ritual this day. Legend Lord Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana met Sabari, a tribal devotee, at Sabarimala. Sabari offered the Lord fruits after tasting them. But the Lord accepted them gladly and whole-heartedly. The Lord then turned and saw a divine person doing tapas. He asked Sabari who it was. Sabari said it was Sasta. Rama walked towards Sasta and the latter stood up to welcome Rama. The anniversary of this incident is celebrated on Makara Vilakku day. Agents behind the Makaravilakku Makaravilakku, is a part of a religious ritual that is practiced in the past by the Malayaraya tribe who are believed to be the descendants ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Pathanamthitta District
Pathanamthitta District (), is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. The district headquarters is in the town of Pathanamthitta. There are four municipalities in Pathanamthitta: Adoor, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla. According to the 2011 Census of India, the population was 1,197,412, making it the third least populous district in Kerala (out of 14), after Wayanad and Idukki. Pathanamthitta has been declared the first polio-free district in India. The district is 10.03% urbanised. Pathanamthitta is one of the richest districts in India with just 1.17% poverty as of 2013, which places the district among top 5 districts in India with least poverty. Etymology The district's name is a combination of two Malayalam words, and , which together mean 'array of houses on the river side'. The district capital is located on the banks of the river Achankovil. History It is presumed that the regions that form the district were formerly under the rule ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Travancore Devaswom Board
Travancore Devaswom Board is statutory and autonomous body managing around 1200 temples in southern part of India. The regular operations of one of the major temples of India, Sabarimala temple, works under its guidance. History and Administration Travancore Devaswom Board is the administrative body created for managing around 1200 temples in South India. The management of one of the famous temples, Sabarimala, is under it. Roles and Responsibilities Travancore Devaswom Board is formed with below purpose * Pilgrim welfare. * Maintain properties of temple. * Development of areas in and around temple. * Welfare of staff working in temples managed by it. * Purchase of temple ritual items. * Offering guidelines on sacred Prasadam prepared at temples managed by it. * Representing temple in court in all legal matters. Composition Travancore Devaswom Board is headed by Senior CPM leader K Ananthagopan. See also * Devaswom boards in Kerala Devaswom ( sa, dēvasvaṁ; ) ar ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Devaswom Board
Devaswom ( sa, dēvasvaṁ; ) are socio-religious trusts in India, whose members are nominated by the government and community. They oversee Hindu temples and their assets to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with traditional rituals and customs. The devaswom system notably exists in the state of Kerala, where most temples are either managed by Government of Kerala-controlled devaswoms or private bodies or families. The properties of each temple are deemed to be the personal property of the presiding deity of the temple, and are managed through a body of trustees who bear allegiance to that deity. The five Kerala devaswoms—Guruvayur, Travancore, Malabar, Cochin, and Koodalmanikyam—manage nearly 3,000 temples together. Revenues The five devaswoms earn about 1,000 crore rupees annually. Travancore Devaswom Board The Travancore Devaswom Board is an autonomous body formed by the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1950. Sabarimala is the main inc ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Makara Sankranti
Makar(a) Sankranti (), also referred to as Uttarayana, Maghi, or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of January 14 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (''dhanu'') to Capricorn (''makara''). Since the Sun is regarded to have moved from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere on this day in the Hindu calendar, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning. Many native multi-day festivals are organised on this occasion all over India. The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names ''Magh Bihu'' in Assam, ''Maghi'' in Punjab, ''Maghi Saaji'' in Himachal Pradesh, ''Maghi Sangrand'' or ''Uttarain'' (Uttarayana) in Jammu, ''Sakrat'' in Haryana, Sakraat in Rajasthan, ''Sukarat'' in central India, ''Pongal'' in Tamil Nadu, ''Uttarayana'' in Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, ''Ghughuti'' in Uttarakhand, ''Da ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Kalaketty
Kalaketty is a village in the Erumely panchayath of Kanjirappally tehsil in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Many Shiva devotees pass through Kalaketty during the Makaravilakku festival period, as the local temple is an important landmark as well as an ''idathavalam'' for them. One of the famous Malayalam movie Varnapakittu was shot at this place. Location Kalaketty is located on the Mundakkayam - Kanamala route. The footpath to Sabarimala passes through Kalaketty, which starts from Peroorthodu near Erumely. It is about from Erumely, from Mundakkayam, from Thulappally, from Koruthodu Koruthodu is a village/town in Kanjirappally Taluk, Kottayam District of Kerala state, India. It is situated on the Highway connecting Mundakayam to Sabarimala temple, Kerala, and is at the border of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki distric ... and from Kanamala. References {{Kottayam district Villages in Kottayam district ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |