Ascent To Awakening , a compilation of articles and pictures on the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple at Sabarimala, brought out by The Hindu Group of Publications, was released at a function at the hill shrine on Sunday .
Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan released the volume by handing over a copy to Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevararu at the temple precincts. The TDB president termed the book a comprehensive volume that captures the spirit of brotherhood that the temple of Swami Ayyappa or Dharma Sastha symbolises.
Commending the volume, K. Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary and Chairman, High Power Committee on Sabarimala master plan, said the book explores the religio-spiritual, cultural and universal aspects of the unique forest shrine.
The pilgrimage to the Ayyappa or Sastha shrine at Sabarimala shows a way of life.
In these troubled times, the temple’s message of timeless spirituality, equality and fraternity has great relevance, he said.
T.M. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, Sabarimala Melsanthi (head priest); Ajay Tharayil, TDB member; C.P.Ramaraja Prema Prasad, Devaswom Commissioner; V. Gopalakrishnan, Deputy General Manager (Retail Sales, Kerala), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC); V.M. Harikumar, Chief Manager (Retail Sales), IOC; Raju Joseph, Area Manager, IOC; K.K.Joshi, Regional General Manager (Advt., Kerala), The Hindu; C.A.Rajeev, Assistant RGM (Advt.), and Pradeep K.M, Assistant RGM (Circulation) also attended the function.
The volume, which draws heavily on The Hindu archives and features several specially written articles and colourful pictures, is an acknowledgement of the syncretic spirit and culture that marks Sabarimala. The Hindu had brought out a similar volume on the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, which was warmly received by readers.
