The Pilgrimage

The devotee who wants to go to Sabarimala should speak truth, take only vegetarian food and remain a celibate by vow for a period of 41 days before the pilgrimage.

On the way to Sabarimala Hills the pilgrim goes on repeating ''Saranam Ayyappa'' which means Ayyappa - you are my sole refuge throughout the journey. He carries many items like food grain, material for offering to God, clothes, blankets etc.

He also wears a "Maala" string of beads around his neck. The journey to Sabarimala instills high thinking and the feeling of dignity of labour in the mind of the devotee.

Lord Ayyappa represents the ideas of democracy, secularism, socialism and selfless service.

The climbing of the 18 steps in the sabarimala temple is the symbolism of controlling the body and mind. On the day of Makara Vilakkuy (Makara Sankranthi day) the deity is adorned with all ornaments. On this day the lord is seen as a light (jyothi) above the horizon, north-east of the Sabarimala Hills for about half an hour.