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Makara Jyothi;
How the sabarimala jyothi is formed?
Source: Answers.com
Makara Jyothi is a beacon that appears at dusk on the day of Makara Sankaranthi (14 January) on the Kantamala hills facing (north-eastern side) the Sabarimala temple, a popular Hindu pilgrim center in Kerala, India. It is widely believed by the devotees (especially those coming from outside the state of Kerala) that this Jyothi appears miraculously at Ponnambalamedu (believed to be the abode of Swami Ayyappan, the presiding deity of Sabarimala temple) and is the celestial manifestation of the god Ayyappan himself. Some others believe that the Jyothi is the Arati performed by the rishis and devas residing in the Kantamala hills. The Makara Jyothi marks the climax of the Makaravilakku season of Sabarimala pilgrimage lasting 41 days.
The Truth
Makara Jyothi in fact is a clandestinely made artificial fire (created by burning a large quantity of camphor cubes kept in a silver platter)lit by the officials of Kerala Forest Department, Kerala State Electricity Board, the authorities of Sabarimala temple and the Travancore Devaswam Board in connivance with the Police Department of Kerala State and the Government of Kerala.
Ponnambalamedu where the camphor-fire is lighted is situated on the hills facing the Sabarimala temple and is in the control of the Forest Department of Kerala State. On the evening of the Makara Sankaranthi day, the officials of the above referred departments assemble at Ponnambalamedu and enact a Puja. After the Srikovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the Sabarimala temple is opened at around 6.30 PM, a message is sent from Sabarimala to those performing the puja at Ponnambalamedu. (In 1981 when the activists of Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham witnessed the event, the message was sent by flashing a search light from Sabarimala; they must now be using a more advanced means of communication such as a mobile phone). Soon those stationed at Ponnambalamedu light the campher kept in the platter and lift it three times. (In 1981, the camphor was lit by one V.R.Gopinathan Nair, a driver with Kerala State Electricity Board).It is this flame that appears to the devotees as the divine Makara Jyothi. Since the Sabarimala temple itself is situtated on yet another hill opposite Ponnambalamedu and about hundreds feet beneath it, to a person witnessing the jyothi from the surroundings of the Sabarimala temple, it appears as celestial and miraculous. And, every effort is made by the authorities of Sabarimala temple and the Government of Kerala to perpetuate the belief that the Jyothi is indeed miraculous.
The Truth
Makara Jyothi in fact is a clandestinely made artificial fire (created by burning a large quantity of camphor cubes kept in a silver platter)lit by the officials of Kerala Forest Department, Kerala State Electricity Board, the authorities of Sabarimala temple and the Travancore Devaswam Board in connivance with the Police Department of Kerala State and the Government of Kerala.
Ponnambalamedu where the camphor-fire is lighted is situated on the hills facing the Sabarimala temple and is in the control of the Forest Department of Kerala State. On the evening of the Makara Sankaranthi day, the officials of the above referred departments assemble at Ponnambalamedu and enact a Puja. After the Srikovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the Sabarimala temple is opened at around 6.30 PM, a message is sent from Sabarimala to those performing the puja at Ponnambalamedu. (In 1981 when the activists of Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham witnessed the event, the message was sent by flashing a search light from Sabarimala; they must now be using a more advanced means of communication such as a mobile phone). Soon those stationed at Ponnambalamedu light the campher kept in the platter and lift it three times. (In 1981, the camphor was lit by one V.R.Gopinathan Nair, a driver with Kerala State Electricity Board).It is this flame that appears to the devotees as the divine Makara Jyothi. Since the Sabarimala temple itself is situtated on yet another hill opposite Ponnambalamedu and about hundreds feet beneath it, to a person witnessing the jyothi from the surroundings of the Sabarimala temple, it appears as celestial and miraculous. And, every effort is made by the authorities of Sabarimala temple and the Government of Kerala to perpetuate the belief that the Jyothi is indeed miraculous.
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