The Śabarimalai Pilgrimage and Ayyappan CultusEvery year a million pilgrims travel to the shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala in what has become the second-largest pilgrimage phenomenon in the world. The origins of the deity Ayyappa can be traced to antiquity; however, it is only in the last four decades that the movement has gained momentum and popularity, spreading beyond the parochial limits of Kerala. This book gives a detailed study of the activities associated with the temple and deity. |
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According Aryan auspicious Ayyanar Ayyappan cultus Ayyappan temple became believed Brahmā brahmin Buddha Buddhism cakras called celibacy centres ceremony chanting Clothey coconut communitas Coorg cult dance darśan deity deity Ayyappan devotees dharma Dravidian eighteen steps emerged forest forty-one day Gaṇeśa ghee goddess gods guru guruswami Guruvayur Hindu Hinduism incarnation initiate journey Kerala king legends Līlā liminal liminal phenomenon Lord Ayyappan Madras Mahalingapuram Mahisi Makara mālā Malayalam maṇḍala Manikanthan Maravar Mohini Mrugeśvara giant Murukan Muslim myth Nāga offered Pantalam performed pilgrimage pilgrimage ritual pilgrimage season pilgrims popular prasādam priests pūjā Purāņic religion religious represent rules Sabari Sabarimalai Sabarimalai pilgrimage sacred Sambhusiva sanctum Sanskrit Saranam Sarthavu Śāsta secular seven shrine at Sabarimalai Śiva small shrines social dramas society song South India spiritual śrikovil Srinivas structure swami swāmis symbolic Tamil Nadu Tantra tradition tree Turner Vaidyanathan Vāvar Vedic Viṣṇu vratam wear worship yakṣa yātrā