In Kerala, Gods’ Own Country, whenever there is a controversy regarding faith it will somehow end up at Sabarimala Makaravilakku – the diya, or vilakku or light, that appears three times at the distant hill known as Ponnambalamedu during Makaravilakku festival which is held annually on January 14. The appearing of Makaravilakku is an open secret in Kerala, even among Ayyappa devotees. Atheists and rationalists have always maintained that it is lit by police, forest guards and temple officials. Incidentally, even when the Communists were ruling the Kerala State the Makaravilakku ritual has happened. According to Ayyappa legend, after defeating demon Mahishasura, Ayyappa merged with the Dharma Sastha murti on the Makara Jyothi day. It is believed that the tribals who were harassed by the demon Mahishasura first lit the light to celebrate the slaying of their tormentor. Another legend indicates that Ayyappa Swamy disappeared from earth at Ponnambalamedu or Kantamala where the Makaravil

‘Maha Ravana – The Rising Sun of a Dying Realm’ is a new Ballet (a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers) from Sri Lanka directed by Pabalu Wijegoonewardane which explores the greatness of Ravana, the demon king in the epic Ramayana. The ballet critically looks into the character of Ravana and explores the positive traits of including his love for music and art and the building of Pushpaka Vimana, the fly machine. Thiruni Kelegama writes in the Sunday Times Pabalu Wijegoonewardane, the director says he didn’t want to subscribe to what he calls an imported legend. ‘I wanted to find out whether Ravana was really a ‘demon’ and whether everything that we blindly believe in the Ramayana about him is true. This is what led me to trace this legend with a new perspective,’ he says adding that Ravana was the only king who managed to wipe out all forms of divisions in Sri Lanka , uniting it. He not only ruled Sri Lanka but gove