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Sabarimala opening 2011
1. Please be aware that as altitude increases, atmospheric density reduces. This causes reduction in the level of oxygen available while breathing in. This could give rise to many medical problems.
2. Those suffering from or susceptible to any heart ailments , especially pilgrims above the age of 55 yrs should heed the following warnings. This also applies to pilgrims with diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol etc:
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Before setting out on your pilgrimage, consult your physician and undergo a medical check up inclusive of ECG.
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Those with heart ailments or those prone to heart diseases must avoid undertaking the pilgrimage during peak seasons when there is heavy crowding.
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Carry along a diary in which your maladies as well names of advised prescription drugs are mentioned.
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If you are under medication for heart ailments or blood pressure, under no circumstances should you suddenly terminate intake of these medicines unless advised by your physician.
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People with heart ailments must climb slopes gently and slowly. Do not be in a hurry. Rest frequently.
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Keep a check on your pulse. If your pulse goes above 140 beats per minute or is showing signs of irregularity in rhythm, seek the services of a doctor.
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Do not climb with after having consumed full meals. Keep your meals light during the pilgrimage.
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While climbing up to Sannidhanam, if you experience any breathlessness, giddiness or chest pain, cease climbing immediately. Enroute, there are enough medical camps and oxygen parlours. Please seek attention from a doctor. ABASS stretcher service volunteers are ever ready to help you.
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If you have been advised to take 'Isordin tablets' please follow the prescribed dosage. Do not exceed the dosage lest it cause rapid reduction in blood pressure and bring on giddiness/fainting.
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Please be aware that if your blood sugar level is low, it results in 'hypoglycemia'. Indications are sweating, tiredness, dizziness etc. You are likely to faint during climbs. Stop your climb immediately. Consume some light food. Carry along some chocolates or sugar. If 'hypoglycemia' hits you, consume some chocolate or sugar.
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Those suffering from very high blood pressure, must get themselves examined by a physician and must discontinue the pilgrimage if the blood pressure remains high.
3. Other pilgrims must also be aware of certain medical problems:
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Breathlessness - The cause could by many. Some common problems are asthma, chronic bronchitis, heavy smoking, The atmosphere during the enroute and at Sannidhanam is likely to be very polluted due to dust, smoke, low temperature etc. Please consult your physician and get yourself attended to. This must be done well before the pilgrimage as the medications prescribed by the physician will some time/days to have its full effect.
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Pollution of water bodies occurs due to heavy crowds and unsanitary practices. This could bring in water borne diseases like hepatitis, typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, amoebiasis, food poisoning etc. Possibility of airborne infections are also there. These include influenza, pneumonia, mumps, chicken pox, conjunctivitis etc. So boil water before consuming.
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Persons with any infectious disease must avoid undertaking the pilgrimage till the infection has been cured.
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Be very particular about sanitation and cleanliness.
Sabarimala Temple - Opening and Closing Dates
Dates of Opening and closing of Sabarimala Temple during the year 2009-2010-2011
(Updated on 08 Nov 09)
Name of Festivals
Opening (English)
Opening (Malayalam)
Time
Hrs
Closing (English)
Closing (Malayalam)
Time
Hrs
Mandala Pooja Begins 16 Nov 10 30 Thulam 1186 1730 27 Dec 10 12 Dhanu 1186 2200
Temple re-opens for Makaravilakku 30 Dec 10 15 Dhanu 1186 1730
Makaravilakku Festival Day 14 Jan 11 30 Dhanu 1186
Temple closes 20 Jan 11 06 Makaram 1186 0700 hrs, after the visit of Pandalam representatives.
Monthly Pooja - Kumbham
Temple opening 12 Feb 11 29 Makaram 1186 1700
Temple closing 17 Feb 11 05 Kumbam 1186 2200
Ulasavam
Temple opening 09 Mar 11 25 Kumbham 1186 1700 19 Mar 11 08 Meenam 1186 2200
Kodiyettam 10 Mar 11
Montlhy Pooja - Meenam
Temple opening 14 Mar 11 30 Kumbham 1186
Painkuni Utram and Arattu 19 Mar 11 05 Meenam 1186 19 Mar 11 05 Meenam 1186 2200
Meda Vishu Festival
Meda Vishu Festival 10 Apr 11 27 Meenam 1186 1700
Vishu Darshanam 15 Apr 11 01 Medam 1186
Temple Closes 18 Apr 11 05 Medam 1186 2200
Monthly Pooja - Edavam
Monthly Pooja opens 14 May 11 31 Medam 1186 1700
Temple closes 19 May 11 05 Edavom 1186 2200
Pratishta Day
Monthly Pooja 10 Jun 11 27 Edavom 1186 1700
Temple closes 11 Jun 11 28 Edavom 1186 2200
Monthly Pooja - Mithunam
Temple opens 15 Jun 11 32 Edavom 1186 1700
Temple closes 20 Jun 11 05 Mithunam1186 2200
Monthly Pooja - Karkadakam
Temple opens 16 Jul 11 31 Mithunam 1186 1700
Temple closes 21 Jul 11 05 Karkidakom 1186 2200
Niraputhari Dates yet to be received from Travancore Palace
Monthly Pooja - Chingam
Temple opens 16 Aug 11 31 Karkidakom 1186 1700 21 Aug 11 05 Chingom 1187 2200
Onam Pooja
Onam Pooja 07 Sep 11 22 Chingom 1187
Temple closes 11 Sep 11 26 Chingom 1187 2200
Monthly Pooja - Kanni
Temple opens 16 Sep 11 31 Chingom 1187 1700
Temple closes 21 Sep 11 05 Kanni 1187 2200
Monthly Pooja -Thulam
Temple opens 17 Oct 11 31 Kanni 1187 1700
Temple closes 22 Oct 11 05 Thulam 1187 2200
Sree Chithira Atta Thirunal Pooja
Temple Opens 25 Oct 11 08 Thulam 1187 1700
Temple Closes 26 Oct 11 09 Thulam 1187 2200
Mandala Pooja Maholsavam
Temple Opens 16 Nov 11 30 Thulam 1187 1700
Mandala Pooja 27 Dec 11 11 Dhanu 1187
Temple Closes 27 Dec 11 11 Dhanu 1187 2200
Makaravilakku Festival
Temple opens 30 Dec 11 14 Dhanu 1187
Next Makaravilakku Day 15 Jan 2012
Updated on 14 Oct 10. Any error or omission may please be brought to the notice of the web master immediately.
Though Travancore Devaswom Board is trying its level best to provide all amenities to the pilgrims, due to severe rush the facilities may not be enough. Hence pilgrims are requested not to overstay at the temple premises. Boarding facilities are not enough to cater to the heavy rush of pilgrims. Devotees are requested to leave Sannidhanam at the earliest time after darshan and other rituals.
Prasadam coupons (aravana, appam, abhishekham and modhakam) will be available through all branches of the Dhanalakshmi Bank Ltd.
08 Nov 09
Ghee Abhishekham - During Mandala Pooja Festival
Due to large crowds of pilgrims, these timings are subject to changes depending on the convenience of the temple authorities
Morning - From 0400 Hrs till 1130 hrs.
Closes at 1300 hrs.
Evening - From 1730 hrs.
Last time for Neyyabhishekam has not yet been ascertained.
Harivarasanm at 2300 hrs.
08 Nov 09
Earlier, the main temple Ulsavam was being held during December every year which is in the midst of the peak pilgrimage session. The Ulsavam rituals necessitated the temple being closed for various durations thus preventing an opportunity for a darshan' for many pilgrims.
Hence, commencing from the year 2006, it has been decided to hold the Ulsavam during the period 2nd April to 16th April every year.
Some of the events that take place during the main festival in April
(Exact dates and times for these events will be ascertained later)
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Prior to the Utsavam, Shudhi Kriyas consisting of Prasada Shudhi, Vaastu Bali, Vaastu Punyaham, Mulayidil will be performed.
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Bimba Shudhi Kriyas consisting of Chathu Shudhi, Dhara, Panchakam, Panchagavyam and 25 Kalasam will be performed.
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Kodiyettam (Temple Flag Hoisting) will be conducted during Makara Rasi. On Kodiyettam day, no Neyyabhishekham will be performed from 0700 hrs. It will re-commence after Kodiyettam.
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Sribhutha Bali will be performed.
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Utsava Bali will be performed. The Lord will be taken to special mandapam for the Utsava Bali. The ceremonies will commence at about 1300 hrs and will be over by about 1600 hrs. Utsava Bali darshan will be from 1400 hrs. On these days.
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Palli Vetta will be undertaken.
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Villkku Ezhunallipu.
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Arattu to Pampa.
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As the Siveli Vigraham will be away at Pampa on the Aarattu day from morning till evening, temple darshan will not be possible till the Vigraham returns to the temple after the Aarattu.
Standard Schedule of Rituals at Sabarimala Temple
During Makaravilakku season, the temple opening is at 0300 hrs and closing at 2300 hrs. So some of the pooja timings will shift up and down. Essentially, this is the trend of events.
Standard Timings
Actual Timings during the Mandala Pooja - Makaravilakku Season
Opens at 0400 hrs 0400 hrs
Nirmalya Darshanam 0405 hrs 0405 hrs
Neyyabhishekam 0415 - 1100 hrs 0425 -1130 hrs
Maha Ganapathi Homam 0420 hrs 0430 hrs
Usha Pooja 0730 hrs 0730 hrs
Ucha (Noon) Pooja 1230 hrs 1300 hrs
Closes at 1300 hrs 1330 hrs
Opens at 1600 hrs 1600 hrs
Deeparadhana 1830 hrs 1830 hrs
Pushpabhishekham 1900 hrs 1900 hrs
Athaza Pooja 2230 hrs 2230 hrs
Harivarasanam and Closing at 2250 to 2300 2250 to 2300 hrs
Notes from Ayyappa Seva Sangham:-
Pilgrims who have not undergone traditional vrutham' are prohibited from carrying Irumudi' or climbing the holy Pathinettam Padi'. They should use the side entrance.
On the first day of any session, the temple opens at 1730 hrs.
Singing of Harivarasnam' and closing of the Sanctum Sanctorum doors takes place at around 2230 hrs.
Devotees coming to Sabarimala on pilgrimage should be aware of the traditional religious practices, related to the temple, and should abide by these. Only pilgrims with Irumudi Kettu will be permitted to climb Pathinettam Padi' (Holy Eighteen Steps). Women in the age group of 10 to 50 years will not be allowed temple darshan' and they will not be permitted to go beyond Pampa. Police check post exists at Pampa to enforce this.
As per the orders of the Kerala High Court, in order to prevent environmental pollution, usage of carry bags made of plastic, polythene etc are strictly prohibited in Pampa area and all roads/paths to Sannidhanam' and surroundings of Sannidhanam'. Smoking is also strictly prohibited in the above areas. Production / carriage / distribution / consumption of alcoholic / narcotic substances are also strictly prohibited. Those found guilty would find themselves in serious trouble with the law enforcement/excise authorities.
All pilgrims are humbly requested to co-operate with Devaswom Board Authorities and Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham authorities for the successful and orderly conduct of the festival as well as maintenance of the sanctity of the pilgrimage.