MAKARA SANKRANTHI

The Symbolism of Makara Sankranthi 

On Makara Sankranthi day, the Sun starts on His northward journey by entering the Makara sign of zodiac. Change for good is Sankranthi. In a year, Sun passes through the twelve house of the zodiac in twelve months. The Sun's entry into each house of the zodiac is described as a Sankramana. 'Kranthi' means 'change'. Sankranthi means a secured change. 

Festivals connected with the moon and the sun are celebrated in India, in order to drive into the minds of men the importance of mind control, (Chandra or moon is the deity of the mind) and of clarifying the intelligence (Surya or the sun is the deity of intelligence). 

Sankaramana is the time when the inward journey towards a pure and unsullied heart is made. Just as the sun embarks on his northward journey, Sankranthi is the day on which the intellect should be turned towards the Athma for Self-realisation.

Thiru-Aabaranam (The Jewels of the Lord)

This day of Self Realization, is the day of the festival in Sabarimala. The Thiru-Aabharanam (Golden wear of Lord) in 3 different boxes (which are recently made in Madras by some devotee) is brought under the witnessing of the bird Garuda (Eagle) in sky and adonred on Lord Ayyappa's idol, symbolizing the union of Jeevaathma  (individual soul) with the Paramaathma ( Supreme soul).  It is coming from Pandalam every year on 12/13th via. Erumeli and this Garuda is above this Thiru Aabharanam right from Pandalam.  You cannot see even crow in sabarihills ares.  It is wonderful that a bird is flying above the Thiruvabharanam up to the temple, that too continuously year by year. It is the wonderful bird none other than Garudaazhwaar vahana of Vishnu. It is also known as "kridhnapparunthu".  Only after this bird's presence the Thiru Aabharana party will start from Pandalam.  Even now it is done like this only and there is no alternate or amendment. Actually, Sabarimala is more than 4000 ft. high from the sealevel scientigically.  You can assume whether any ordinary birds can fly at this hight. There is a story behind this bird's arrival at Pandalam as said earlier and I will let everybody know it later.  There are stories behind everything/happenings and these are nothing is left out without any reason.

When Manikandan was in Pandalam, father and king of Pandalam made certain jewels for Manikandan thinking that He will be deccorated on the day He becomes the king of Pandalam.  Since that has not happened somehow he requested Manikandan to wear it for his satisfaction and Manikandan accordingly informed His father to send those items to Sannidhanam on makara sankrama day which will fall on 14/15th Jan. so that He will wear those things for parents' satisfaction.  That is the main reason for Thiru Abharanam reaching Sabarimala on that day. Only after Ayyappan wears this jewels star Uthram will come up in sky followed by Jyothi. 

Apart from the Pandalam ornaments the then king of Travancore named Chithira Thirunal had given 40 kilos of gold ornaments to Ayyappan.  The shrine will be opened in October-November for only day as "Chithira Attam Thirunal day" and many devotees are going to Sabarimala on that day.

Thiruvabharanam procession

The procession takes the age-old route through village roads, across rivers and up and down hills. The Raja (Thampuran) and other members are accorded reception at various places by various devotee-groups, including tribals. All through the procession people in large numbers pay their respects to the Raja and receive 'vibhuthy' from him. After scheduled halts at Ayroor-Puthiyukavu and Laha, the procession reaches Valiyanavattom (Pampa) on the 3rd day (1st Makaram). From there the Thiruvabharanam proceeds through the traditional forest route to Saramkuthi while the Thampuran (Raja) and his aides go to the Rajamandapam near the Pampa Ganapathy temple and stay there.

Thiruvabharanam Return Journey

After the Makaravilakku, the Sabarimala temple is closed for the season on the morning of 7th Makaram. Immediately the return journey commences. The first overnight halt is at Laha. The second day the procession reaches Perunadhu Temple. This is the temple constructed by the Raja of Pandalam. Staying at Perunadhu the Raja personally supervised the construction of the Sabarimala temple. The Ayyappa deity in this temple is also adorned with the holy ornaments. Thousands, especially women queue up to have the 'darshan' and to obtain 'vibhuthy' from the Raja of Pandalam. On 9th Makaram, the procession moves to Aranmula Kottaram (Palace) and halts there. On the 10th Makaram around 8 am, the holy journey reaches back in Pandalam.

Thousands queue by the sacred pieces now. At around 1 O'clock in the afternoon, a brahminy kite (popularly known as 'krishnapparunthu') is sighted circling majestically far above the temple. Devotees believe that this is Lord Vishnu is upon 'Garuda' accompanying the Thiruvabharanam from Pandalam through Sabarimala where again the kite is found hovering above the temple synchronizing with the arrival of the procession there. Krishna Parunthu Brahminy Kite is native eagle to India, South East Asia and Australia. In Hinduism, this eagle represents the carrier or Vahana of Lord Vishnu known as Garuda. The chanting of the Lord's name rises to a thunderous crescendo at the sight of the kite and deafening explosions of crackers rend the air. The Boxes are closed and taken out of the temple by specially deputed bearers. 

The ValiyaThampuran has already arrived in royal style from his Palace to the temple and is by now inside the temple to offer 'vibhuthy' to the members of the procession as also to his nephew whom he has chosen to escort the Thiruvabharanam. The delegation of authority and responsibility by the Senior Raja to his representative is symbolized by the former handing over a sword to the latter.

The procession is now ready to start. The frenzied movements of the bearers of the boxes, the rising tempo of the devotees chanting 'Swamiye-Ayyappo', the exploding fireworks, The Pandalam Raja accompanying the Thiruvabharanam in his palanquin, the infectious excitement of the surging crowds and the seemingly unperturbed hovering of the 'krishnapparunthu' far above-all make up an indescribably magnificent moment when the journey starts for the distant hill shrine, marking the fulfillment of a vow, the consummation of a dream, the vindication of a faith.