Sabarimala 2013 – A ‘Green’ Pilgrimage

Another mandala season has arrived, bringing with it cold, crisp, foggy mornings complete with the energetic cries of ‘Swamiye Saranamayyappa’ by ardent devotees. Kerala seems all geared up to meet the massive inflow of about 2.5 crores of devotees flowing into Sabarimala from all parts of the country.

One heartening piece of news which makes this season different from previous years is the fact that the State govt, acting under the orders of the honorable High Court, has issued a complete ban of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials in Sabarimala, with the intention of protecting the fragile ecosystem of this divine place of pilgrimage. Infact, several voluntary organizations had already undertaken a massive cleanup operation on the trekking path as well as the Sannidhanam recently, thus making it free from all accumulated plastic debri and other litter. This is a tiny step towards keeping Sabarimala clean and green, but definitely a noteworthy one and I hope that pilgrims comply with the rules and cooperate with the officials.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see an article by Sabarimala’s Tantri, Kandararu Rajeevaru in a newspaper, appealing all devotees to refrain from using plastic materials like containers, wrappings, bags, etc in their ‘irumudikettu’ and replace it with ece-friendly materials like cloth or paper. Similarly, he has also appealed to the pilgrims to deposit used plastic pet water bottles in designated dustbins only. I totally appreciate the Tantri’s concerns regarding the pollution of the sacred place of pilgrimage and his efforts to keep the area clean and sacred.

A lot more need to be done by the govt and concerned authorities in preserving and maintaining the temple environment, but above all, it is up to each one of the pilgrims to understand they are totally responsible for the conservation and upkeep of the serene surroundings that is the abode of the Lord Aiyappa.  

May the Lord’s blessings be with each one of you.

Sabarimala season

This is the Sabarimala Season... the whole state is filled with devotees from all walks of life, who have taken their 'vratham' to visit the holy shrine of Lord Aiyappa. The cold, windy dawns do not deter them from their mission, and temples are filled with the cries of 'Swamiye.. Sharanamayyappa', right from dawn. May God bless us all!

The Aravana Payasam seems to be this years focal point with the non-availability of cans to dispense it among the devotees. Television screens are full of images of the devotees standing in serpentine queues, holding whatever utensil or plastic bottles they could lay their hands on, waiting for their quota of the prasadam. very frankly, seeing them put all their fingers into the measuring can of the prasadam counter, to get out every drop of the prasadam into their vessels, was quite disgusting. I do hope the authorities would do something to maintain hygene with regards to distribution of the Payasam.

another amusing news which came out was how the prices of ordinary utensils and plastic bottles have gone up after the non-availability of the regular cans, for dispensing the aravana. just proves the ago-old policy of 'make hay while the sun shines' .

just yesterday i came upon a news item which said how the employees of sabarimala temple, who count the money in the hundials or bhannarams are treated inhumanly. seems they have to strip naked before their higher authorities, after counting the money and leaving the room. that is indeed a repulsive thing. It can obviously demoralise anybody, and it seems most of them have started protesting against this age-old custom. in this age of technology, i wish the authorities would open their eyes, and avail of some other scientific techniques of preventing pilferage and theft, instead of resorting to this inhuman act!