The Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple has been on the news for sometime now. A number of events have been taking place after the recent decision of the Honorable Supreme Court in connection with the entry of women into this ancient temple.
The Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple has been on the news for sometime now. A number of events have been taking place after the recent decision of the Honorable Supreme Court in connection with the entry of women into this ancient temple. The city of Coimbatore is endowed with a number of temples for Lord Ayyappa. The golden roofed Siddhapudur Ayyappan Temple is very popular with the devotees. Incidentally, Coimbatore based Pakshiraja Studios was the first movie entity to do a movie on Lord Ayyappa under the direction of S.M.Sriramulu Naidu. D.Jayavarthanavelu the then Managing Director of Lakshmi Machine Works ( LMW ) had offered a gold ankhi ( dress ) to Lord Ayyappa on the Onam of 1987 and it was fabricated under the stewardship of K.Govindarajulu of P.A.Raju Chettiar Jewellers.
Famous Lord Ayyappa devotee and scholar V.Aravind Subramaniam has rendered a lovely book titled ' Sri Maha Sastha Vijayam '. This book is an elaborate work connected with the mythology, folklore, beliefs and prayers connected with Sabarimala. " The present icon of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala was in fact brought to Coimbatore those days and it was before the ' Prathishta '. Coimbatore has been a big centre for Lord Ayyappa worship and believers from here are keen to uphold the ancient tradition connected with the temple. It is time that we work towards maintaining our tradition while also balancing it with our modern lives, " stated Aravind. He goes around the world in connection with events based on Lord Ayyappa. Its interesting to note that Aravind is a Coimbatorean.
The Pandalam Royal Family has been associated with the temple of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala from the very beginning. Raja Rajashekhara Varma of the family was the adopted father of the deity. It was during the times of Tipu Sultan that Pandalam got merged into Travancore. However, the family has been associated with the Thiruvabharanam ritual every year. The large family lives in Pandalam and the senior most member of the family is known as the Valiyaraja. Revathinal Ramavarma Raja holds the position as of now. Narayana Varma of the Pandalam family is a frequent visitor to Coimbatore, thanks to the initiatives of Aravind Subramaniam and he spoke at length about the Sabarimala Temple and its ancient tradition. It is important to be aware that the Pandalam Royal Family and Lord Ayyappa enjoy a father and son relationship.
On queried about the recent judgement of the Supreme Court and subjects connected to the temple, Narayana Varma displayed a deep sense of duty and balance while speaking to Simplicity.
" We are greatly pained by this decision and it is really unfortunate. I must add that none of our family ladies have ever been to Sabarimala for they feel that he is ever resident at the Pandalam Temple. The first Nama Japa Yatra in Kerala began at Pandalam and we expected about 10000 people but about 50000 turned up. It was heartening to note that most of them were women. This goes on to underline the fact that women want to uphold tradition at all times. The crowd chanted ' Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa ' and the procession was peaceful .This was followed by a number of similar events all over Kerala, " stated Narayana Varma.
The Pandalam Royal family has been historically connected with the Pandyas and is among one of the ancient aristocratic families of our country. They are the 'Pithrusthanis ' of Lord Ayyappa. " Our family has a role to play with regard to the Lord Ayyappa Temple. In fact the Honorable High Court at Kerala had taken our opinion in this matter in the year 1991. How we wish that the same had been followed now. Perhaps a visit would have made them understand why the entry is only for men. The right of the deity should also be considered, " added Narayana Varma.
The devotees who visit Sabarimala abstain from family life, non vegetarian food and intoxicants for one mandalam before visiting the temple. They have a bath twice a day and visit a temple everyday. Anger, use of expletives etc., are avoided during this long Satvic prayer period. This conditions the individual while detoxifying the mind and body. Abstinence makes the devotees understand the value of ethics and charity.
This conditioning changes the lives of many of them and its of great use to the community at large. It prepares them for a better life and beyond. Since, this exercise does a lot of good in the name of God, a lot of sanctity is attached to it. The goodness which takes place through this exercise has been an eye opener for the devotees. Kerala has a matriarchal society and yet this practice is being followed for it offers physical and spiritual well being. Hence the clamour for maintaining the sacred tradition which has strived to keep the society pure and ethical.
The aristocrat was eager to state that there a number of important temples connected with Lord Ayyappa and he named them. " Achankovil, Aryankavu, Kulattupuzha, Pandalam and Perinad are open to women. There is no restriction in any of these temples. Perhaps the articles 25 & 26 connected to the right of the believers to practice religious rituals should have been considered. The ' Memoir of Travancore and Cochin ( Volume 1 from the year 1820 ) talks about the traditions at Sabarimala. The survey report had been prepared by Lt Ward and Conner those days. The only transgression which was made against the rituals was during the time of making a movie. If someone claims to have visited , it can be implied that they have disturbed the tradition."
Narayana Varma shared some points connected with the rituals and hygiene practiced in Kerala, a State known for maintaining traditions for centuries. " The practice of ' Suddhi ' is based on tantric rituals and have never been disturbed. The concerned priests are supposed undergo several ritual baths in a day. There are ' Suddhis ' for each and every pooja. The practice of ' Panchasuddhi ' is quite important. It includes keeping the mind and body clean. Restraint and a calm mind are an absolute necessity. The temples are kept really clean all through the year."
Scholar Aravind Subramaniam was keen to add, " Its heartening to note that the temples are closed briefly just in case it has been made untidy by someone. Once the physical and ritual cleansing is done, its once again open for worship. Hygiene is very important and therefore they are very strict. A clean body and a clean mind are a pre requisite for leading a good life from time immemorial. Kerala is well known as an upholder of tradition and is also popular in connection to civic rights. "
The Thiruvabaranam of Lord Ayyappa is at the Pandalam Palace and Narayana Varma spoke at length about the same. " The Thiruvabaranam is carried by devotees in a 90 kilometer long procession every year and it takes a few days. It begins on the 12 th of January by about 1 PM. The three Brahminy kites ( Krishnaparunthu ) which come and fly every year are said to represent Vishnu, Brahma & Shiva. No sooner this happens, the procession will begin with 25 people taking turns and a large number of pilgrims accompany them. The people who carry the three caskets associated with this ritual observe a vratam for a ritu ( 60 days ) every year. It is accompanied by a member of our family. This representative travels by palanquin to Pampa and stays there for two days and thereafter he travels on an elephant to the shrine.
Once he reaches the 18 steps , the Mel Shanthi gets down through the 18 steps and receives the Royal representative. Its akin to the son receiving the father. Our family does not need to observe vrata or carry an irumudi because Lord Ayyappa is from our family. The Makara Jothi is celebrated and our family representative has an exclusive darshan on the 20th of January. It is an emotional moment. Subsequently, the Sanctum Santorum is closed and the key and the money bag are given to the family representative. The last person to come down the 18 steps will be our family person. He will hand over the key and the money bag to the Mel Shanthi ( priest ). We elect one from the family every year and the eldest will never visit the temple. "
Lord Ayyappa is actually fulfilling the wish of Rajashekhara, the ruler who had made jewellery for his coronation. Lord Ayyappa partially fulfills the wishes of his father by donning the Thiruvabaranam for a few days at the time of the Makara Vilakku. A number of rituals are performed at the temple at this time and the Royal representative from Pandalam is given a pride of place in the temple. All these rituals underline the importance of the role of the Pandalam Royal Family.
The Thiruvabaranam reaches the Perinad temple thereafter and they are adorned in this holy place. More than 50000 ladies come here to have a darshan and receive the vibhuti from the Pandalam Raja. Subsequently the Thiruvabaranam reaches Aranmula Palace and it is opened up for the viewing by the family members. The next morning, the Thiruvabaranam is back to the Pandalam Palace and it begins to wait for the next holy occasion. " It is because of these rituals and our connect with Lord Ayyappa, it is important that our views are taken into account in connection with the entry of women into the Sabarimala Temple. We are quite keen to maintain the ancient tradition and this does not come in the way of gender equality in day to day life. Every one of us should strive to protect our tradition while moving forward in other realms, " added Narayana Varma.
Needless to say, both the sides concerned with this issue are on the same page with regard to civic rights and responsibilities and only differ on the entry of women into Sabarimala.
