Welome to W.A.S.T
SABARIMALA SRI DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE
Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples in India and one of the well known pilgrimage destination in India, located in the Sahyadri Mountains. It is believed that Lord ayyappa was son of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Siva and he lived and grew up in Pandalam. Mandalapooja , Makaravilakku , Padipooja and Chithira Attakkalasam are the main festivals and events in sabarimala during the pilgrim season .The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu.The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The shrine gets crowded with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January.Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe vows for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non- vegetarian habits and cardinal pleasures. Pilgrims set out in groups under a Guru swami, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi. Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty.
GURU SWAMI
Guru swami means those who had gone to Sabarimala with Irumudi at least 18 times Moreover, a guru swami is a spiritual teacher and master, whose identification with the supreme Self is uninterrupted. The unique and rare quality of a Guru swami is his capacity to awaken the Spiritual energy in seekers through bhajans .As a Guru swami he carries out his mission of awakening seekers to their own potential for enlightenment bybestowing LordAyyappa .He guides the devotees on this mystical journey toward God, helping to move beyond our own limitations and to reach our goals. Guru swami also expresses great love and reverence to all human beings.
