Thursday, May 8, 2014

SIGNIFICANCE of 18 Holy Steps in Ayyappa Temple


Pathinettapadi (18 divine steps) to the sanctum sanctorium is divine in all aspects. The steep steps are so important and holy that no one can climb them without fasting for 41 days and carrying the holy irrumudi on ones' head.
 
There are many mythological stories associated with the holy Patinettampadi.
  • Some believe the eighteen steps denote the 18 puranas.
  • Some say that 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappa destroyed the evil denotes the 18 steps.
  • Others are of the belief that the first five steps denotes the indriyas (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin). The next eight steps signifies the ragas (tatwa, kama, krodha, moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara. The next three steps signifies the gunas (satwa, rajas and thamas). The seventeenth and the eighteenth denotes vidhya and ignorance.
 
The Patinettampadi can be used only twice -
  • once for ascending the temple and once for descending below leaving the hill.
  • Before ascending or descending the steps, pilgrims break coconut as an offering to the steps. One needs to have the sacred Irumudi on head while going up or down the 18 steps.
  • While descending the steps the devotees climb down backwards facing the sanctum sanctorum.
 
One who climbs the Patinettampadi for 18 times shall plant a sapling of coconut in Sabarimala.