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The Hindu god Ayyappan is one of southern India’s most revered deities. Known also as Dharmasastha, Hariharan, Manikanta, Ayyanar and Bhoothnath, Ayyapan is worshipped in a number of shrines across south India. At Kulathupuzha, he is worshipped as a child; at Achankovil in conjunction with his consorts, Pushkala and Poorna; and at Sabarimala as an ascetic, a celibate meditating in solitude for the benefit of all mankind.
Sabarimala lies in the Sahyadris- the Western Ghats, in Kerala. Situated at a height of about 3,000 ft, the shrine is one of Hinduism’s most important pilgrimage centers.
Every year, between November and January, thousands of Hindu pilgrims converge on Sabarimala, |
| after a rigorous 41 days of abstinence and penance. Devotees, each with a sacred irumudi- a cloth bag which contains pooja items such as coconuts, dry fruit, sandalwood paste, turmeric and the like, set off on the trek up to the shrine, chanting all the way.
Sabarimala holds the rather dubious distinction of being the only Hindu temple in India where women are not allowed. A number of feminist organizations have tried to persuade the Temple Board the revoke this age-old tradition, but to no avail. Many reasons are cited by the board in support of the decree; these include the 41-day penance imposed on pilgrims, the arduous trek up to the shrine, and the fact that the Ayyappan worshipped at Sabarimala is supposed to be a celibate hermit. Be as it may, women- and girls- between the ages of 10 and 50 cannot even enter the forest around Sabarimala.
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