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Showing posts from November 15, 2011


Skipping Sabarimala Ayyappa Vratam and Climbing the Sabarimala Mountain Can be Health Risky

Earlier Ayyappa devotees used to climb the Sabari Mountain and reach the abode of Swami Ayyappa after following the 41 day Mandala Vratam strictly. But nowadays most people do not observe the Vratam associated with the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple – they just simply buy an Ayyappa Mala and go the temple next day. The 41-day Vratam was meant to prepare the devotee mentally and physically to under take the arduous trek. Ayyappa Temple Darshan period is from Mid November to Mid January. Deccan Chronicle reports Dr B. Padmakumar, associate professor of the Alappuzha TD Medical College, who has been on official duty in the hill shrine for the past 15 years, said that the insistence on a 41-day vratha before the pilgrimage was to ensure that the pilgrims were healthy enough to undertake the trek. Unfortunately the number of devotees skipping this vratha was increasing year after year. “Many undertake the pilgrimage after wearing a chain made of beads the previous day and without observin