tapioca.co.in

Destinations | Itineraries | Routes
read this page on mobile

Poojas at Sabarimala Temple

Details on special poojas at Sabarimala

S

abarimala Temple has 18 poojas. Of the 18 poojas, 15 are conducted before noon, 3 in the evenings. Then there are 45 kalasabhishekam offerings as well.

Listed below are some of the special poojas in Sabarimala.

Neyyabhishekam is the significant offering to Lord Ayyappa. Neyyabhishekam starts at 4 AM and continues until Ucha Pooja (1 PM). After darshan and upa-prathistas, groups of Ayyappa pilgrims, guided by the senior-most pilgrim (guru swamy), gather ghee-filled coconuts on a cloth sheet (viri) on the ground.

Following the bath at Bhasma Kulam, guru swamy, breaks all ghee-filled coconuts. The collected ghee is then taken to the Sree Kovil for abishekam.

After Neyyabhishekam, the priest returns a portion of the ghee to the devotee as Prasadam.

The ghee serves as a symbol for the human soul, and through the abhishekam of ghee on Lord Ayyappa, the soul merges with the Supreme Being. In this context, the jeevatma is represented by the ghee, and the paramatma is embodied by Lord Ayyappa.

The coconut after the ghee is removed once removed is offered to aazhi, a homa large fire.

Padi Pooja is an evening ritual at Sabaimala temple. This special pooja is dedicated to the 18 sacred steps, known as 'pathinettampadi,' .

lasting about an hour, the pooja is conducted on specific days following the floral bathing of the idol called 'pushpabhiskeham.'

The tantri leads the rituals in the presence of the melsanthi (chief priest). The ceremony involves adorning the Holy Steps with flowers and silk cloths, lighting traditional lamps on each step. Pooja concludes with the tantri performing 'aarathi.'

Udayasthamana pooja takes place from dawn to dusk, covering Nirmalyam to Athazha pooja.

Sahasra Kalasam is a sacred offering to Ayyappa as Sri Dharmasastha in accordance with the Tantric Veda and Agama Shastras. Sahasra Kalasam aims to seek blessings for the happiness of humanity. It involves invoking all holy spirits by using sacred elements such as incense, precious and semiprecious stones, the essence of the seven seas, and water from sacred rivers. These are combined into a holy kalasam (sacred pot) made of materials like gold, silver, copper, etc.

Ulsava Bali is an integral part of the annual festival at the Sabarimala temple. It is a dedicated ritual for Bhootha Ganam, where Paani is performed to invite these divine entities.

The primary aspect of Ulsava Bali involves the tantri sprinkling cooked raw rice to cover the balikallu of the Bhoothaganams around the Naalambalam and Balikkalpura. Once the sprinkling over the Saptha Maathrukkal is completed, the Thidambu of the presiding deity is taken out of the Sreekovil, allowing devotees to offer their prayers.

Pushpabhishekam is the ceremonial showering of flowers on Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. Tamara (lotus), Jamanthi (chrysanthemum), Arali (Oleander), Tulsi (basil), Mulla (jasmine), and Kuvalam (bilva leaves), are used. This is a special offering , devotees can perform with advance booking.

Ashtabhishekam is the next important offering in Sabarimala after Neyyabhishekam.

The eight items -Vibhuti, Milk, Honey, Panchamrutam, Tender coconut water , Sandalwood,Panineer and Water - are used for Ashta Abhishekam.

Kalabhabhishekam is a special pooja performed during Ucha pooja at Sabarimala. The primary ritual of this abhishekam involves pouring sandalwood paste on the idol of Lord Ayyappa. The sandalwood paste is brought to the sreekovil in a golden urn, accompanied by a procession.

Laksharchana is chanting the Divine Names as Mantra in a group. The 'Brahmakalasam' used in the Laksharchana is ceremoniously taken to the Srikoil for the 'abhishekam' ritual.

Neyyabhishekam is the significant offering to Lord Ayyappa. Therefore all devotees to sabarimala carries ghee (neyyu) as a offering.

TAPIOCA!

Destinations | Itineraries | Routes
--
Sabarimala Route Map

Find the most suitable route to Sabarimala from the three : 1. Erumeli route 2. Vandiperiyar route 3. Chalakayam route.

--
Top pilgrimage Sites in Kerala

Popular religious & pilgrimage sites in Kerala

--
Karnataka to Sabarimala Road Routes

How to reach Sabarimala by road from Karnataka? Maps, Distance and Diving directions below...

Sabarimala Railway Station

Here are the Railway Station codes to be used for traveling to Sabarimala by train

Traveling to Sabarimala by Train

How to travel to Sabarimala by Train

1