Temples in kerala

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Sabarimala Temple

The Temple at Sabarimala is one of most visited in entire India. This is despite the fact that the temple is open for public during specific season only (November 15 - January 19). It is located at a height of 950 m on the Sahayadri range amidst forest areas. The temple is surrounded by 18 hills, each with a temple. Today, remnants of these temples are visible from the Sabarimala temple. The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that people of almost all religion and faith can pay a visit to it without any discrimination, however, women are not allowed in. The reason given for this is that Lord Ayyappa, to whom the temple is dedicated, was a confirmed bachelor and hence women (who have attained puberty) should not visit him.

The Legend The legend of Sabarimala states that King Rajshekhara, a direct descendant of the Pandya dynasty, ruled over Pandalam. He was childless and was forever worried as to who will succeed him after his death. Once, while returning from a hunting expedition, he heard the cries of a child in the forest, near the Pamba river. He followed the sound of cry and finally saw a child with golden chain and bell around his neck. The king fell into a dilemma whether he should carry the child back with him to the palace or not. At this point of time, a sage intervened and asked him to take the child home and name him Manikandan. He also informed the king that when the child attains twelve years of age, the king will know his divine history.