Rain has wreaked havoc in South India including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for the past week. So far 17 people have died due to floods and rains in Andhra, while more than 100 people are missing. A 3-storey old building collapsed in Kadiri town of Anantapur district late on Friday night. An elderly woman, including three children, died after being buried under the rubble of the building. Still, 4 people are trapped here. The rescue operation is on. At the same time, the Sabarimala pilgrimage has been banned for a day on Saturday after heavy rains in Kerala. This has caused dismay among the devotees of Lord Ayyappa.
Pathanamthitta Collector Divya S Iyer said that it is raining continuously in the district. Due to this the water level of the Pamba river has increased. Besides the Pamba dam, the water in the Kakki-Anathode dam in the district is also above the danger mark. The administration has issued a red alert for the people living nearby. Collector Divya said that the devotees of Lord Ayyappa have been appealed not to go on pilgrimage today. Pilgrims who have booked online will be given a chance as soon as the weather is fine.
1. Sabarimala temple is open for devotees only from November to January in a year.
2. Devotees take bath in Pampa Triveni and light a lamp and float it in the river. Only then go to Sabarimala temple.
3. Devotees start climbing Pampa Triveni only after worshipping Lord Ganesha. A first stop is a place named Shabri Peetham.
4. It is believed that a Bhilani named Shabari did penance here during the Ramayana period. Shabari was liberated only after the incarnation of Sri Ayyappa.
1. Devotees are required to observe celibacy for 41 days before coming here to be free from all worldly bondage.
2. In these days they have to wear only blue or black clothes.
3. A garland of Tulsi is to be kept around the neck and simple food is to be taken only once in the whole day.
4. Worship has to be done in the evening and one has to sleep on the ground.
5. On the completion of this fast, worship has to be done under the direction of a Guru Swami.
6. During the temple visit they have to keep Irumudi on their head, that is, two bags and one bag. One contains a coconut filled with ghee and worship material and the other has food items. Taking this, they also have to circumambulate the Shabari Peeth, then they enter the temple through 18 steps.
