www.newkerala.com

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, November 14, 2005: Millions of devotees will begin an arduous journey to the hill temple of Sabarimala in Kerala as one of the biggest pilgrimages in India kicks off Wednesday. The Ayyappa temple situated in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 metres above sea level has become one of the most famous Hindu pilgrim centres. It is four kilometers uphill from the Pamba river in Pathanamthitta district of central Kerala and is accessible only on foot - usually devotees go barefoot - from the river. But the tough journey does not seem to deter pilgrims who last year numbered 32 million, mostly from southern India.

The more serious pilgrims, before setting off for the holy shrine, normally undertake an intense 41-day penance. They don't wear sandals, sport black dhotis and remain on a strictly vegetarian diet. Pilgrims carry ghee and coconuts. The coconuts are broken at the temple and the ghee is ceremoniously poured on the icon of Ayyappa. When the ghee anoints the Deity, it symbolizes the unity of the pilgrim's soul with the essence of God.