Makaravilakku
The festival of Makar Sankranti is widely known by different names in several states of the country and Lord Surya Narayana is worshiped on this day everywhere.Makar Sankranti is also celebrated in the state of Kerala as 'Makarvilakku' festival. On this day particular worship of Lord Ayyapa is also performed as an annual festival in Sabarimala. From this day on the first day of Malayalam Panchang, Makara also begins.
On the day of Makarvilakku festival, special prayers are offered to Lord Sri Ayyappa in total South India including Kerala. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa is the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, who is Brahmachari.
Since birth, he got the title Manikandan due to the golden bell in his neck. Since birth, he bought the title Manikandan because of the golden bell in his neck. Even today, ladies of age more than ten years and below 60 years can see Lord Ayyappa.
This is how main worship takes place
On the day of Makarvilakku, a procession of jewelery is carried out as Thiruvabharanam grand festival. In this journey, the royal ornaments are brought from the Pandalam palace to the main temple, which is delivered to the main temple with great pomp and gaiety.Thousands of devotees participate in this procession. On the day of Makarvillaku, 'Sandhya Deeparadhana' takes place in the main puja. On this day, many lamps are lit within the night in the entire state, which also illuminate the earth and sky.
It is believed that Makara Tara rises within the sky east of Diparadhana after which on the opposite side of the Sabarimala temple there is a Mahaarti on a hill called Ponnambalamedu.
It is mentioned that with the mere sight of the divine mild of Mahaarti, sins of birth births are destroyed and happiness starts coming in life.
How is Makar Jyoti celebrated?
Different folks contemplate Makar Jyoti in different ways. Many people finish the holy 41-day fast from this day. Throughout this time they wear black dhoti and shirt and keep away from physical relationships, addictions and many other things. They reach the temple for Makar Jyoti and traditionally participate in the night aarti.Makaravilakku Significance
The holy Shabarimala temple, a famous pilgrimage web site situated atop the high hills of the Western Ghats, is devoted to Lord Ayyappa. The main pilgrimage is between November and January.Devotees observe a strict quick before happening this pilgrimage. Individuals, no matter caste, faith and colour, wear a black or dark blue dhoti (a traditional male garment of Kerala) and carry a bundle of cloth over their heads with conventional offering material like ghee, coconut, camphor and rice.
So far as ladies are concerned, solely elderly women who've been married or have not been menstruated can enter the temple of this deity who is believed to be unmarried.
