Introduction
Of the many famous temples in Kerala, two
are most well known to those outside the state. They are, the Guruvayur temple dedicated
to Sri Krishna near the seacoast central Kerala and the Ayyappa temple of Sabarimala the
Western Ghats in south Kerala.
While Sri Krishna is a living deity to every Hindu home
from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Ayyappa, the beloved god of Keralites is peculiar to Kerala
since it is there he enacted his human drama. His glory is' however, spreading far and
wide drawing millions every year-the main pilgrimage season is from mid-November I
mid-January when Mandala Vilakku and Makara Vilakku festivals are hold.
* For a comprehensive account of Sabarimala please
read the author’s book, pilgrimages to Sabari a Bhavan’s publication.
Author - K. R. Vaidyananthan
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