Sabarimala Yatra 2024

 On 7th January 2024 my wife and I will be leaving for Kerala, India to perform our pilgrimage (yatra) to the Lord Ayyappan temple on Sabarimala.

This will be my 19th yatra, while my wife will be performing her 16th.

Sabarimala is a hill (situated among 17others) in Kerala.  Lord Ayyappan's temple is located on the top of this hill.  The journey to the temple is arduous and very tiring as we need to climb several hills amidst thick jungle.  Previously we were allowed to trek this route of about 60kms during the night.  But this has been stopped as the Forest Department doesn't want the wild animals to be disturbed.

Thousands of pilgrims wearing black or blue clothes with the irumidi on their heads trek this jungle route starting from Erumely town after performing the "petta thulal" ritual.  Those who are able and fit choose to go the long path covering 60 kms but others choose to take the shorter path from Pamba.

However both paths are arduous and steep. And takes a number of days.

Most pilgrims go to Sabarimala during the Makara Jyothi season which is from 1st to 16th January.  This is because normally on 15th January the most important part of the pilgrimage can be witnessed.  The Makara star can be observed in the night sky.

Our pilgrimages have enabled us to become more peaceful and of course religious.

Swamiye sharanam Ayyappa.

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