Significance Of 18 Steps In Sabarimala Temple

Sabarimala is the one of the most visited pilgrimage places where lakhs of people visit the temple to take the blessings of the Lord Ayyappa. Every year the number of devotees does increase to a great extent, as more believers get pulled into visiting this miraculous holy place.

The most important part of the temple is the 18 steps. If you want to see Lord Ayyappa, you need to climb the 18 steps with the 'irumudi' on your head. Before visiting the temple, there are certain vrats (or vows) that need to be performed. The vrat usually lasts for about 41 days. A devotee has to wake up at 4 AM each morning, take a cold shower and perform bhajans addressing Lord Ayyappa.

Those who perform the vrat should not eat foods that contain garlic or onions. They need to wear either a black or saffron dress. They have to walk bare feet and should not consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes.

On the 41st day, the irumudi is placed on the head of the devotee. The irumudi is a very important part of the vrat. Devotees can climb the 18 steps only with the irumudi on top of their heads.

Each step has its own significance. Read on to find out what the 18 steps mean.

1.The First 5 Steps - Panchendriyas

The first five steps are referred to as the panchendriyas or the 5 senses, that is, the eyes, nose, ears, mouth and touch.

2.Panchendriyas:

It is said that the human eye should always see good things and should refrain from seeing inauspicious sights. We need to hear the good things and should not give a thought to gossip. The tongue must be used in speaking good words only and should always chant the name of the Lord Ayyappa. We always need to breathe fresh air and take the fragrance of the flowers that is offered to the Lord. When it comes to the sense of touch, a person should always touch the japa mala and must chant the Lord's name.

3.The Next 8 Steps - Ashtaragas

The ashtaragas are the kama, krodha, lobha, moha, madha, matsarya, asooya and dhumba.

4.Ashtaragas

The ashtaragas convey that a person should never have ego and should give up on jealousy. He should chant the name of the Lord. He should not be greedy for anything in life. He should help and guide the bad people to follow a right path in life.

5.The Next Three Steps – The Trigunas

The trigunas are the satva, rajas and thamas. The trigunas tell that one should be active and give up on laziness. There should be no ego and one has to surrender himself to the Lord Ayyappa.

6.The Last Two Steps – Vidya And Avidya

The last two steps are the vidya and avidya. Vidya means knowledge. We need to attain knowledge by giving up on our ego (or avidya) and attain salvation.

7.Realisation

It is believed that after climbing the 18 steps in Sabarimala, one attains the knowledge of life and realises the purpose of life.

8.Breaking Of The Coconuts

As mentioned earlier, the irumudi is very important and is carried on top of the head while climbing the 18 steps. The irumudi or the content in it is offered at the temple and thereafter the prasad is taken home.