Is the Makarajyothi man-made, the Kerala High Court asked on Thursday, about the phenomenon long associated with the climactic moment of the annual Makaravilakku pilgrim season at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. The Hindu on Friday posed the question before a number of prominent persons closely associated with, or seek to represent the interests of, the revered and ancient forest-shrine. The answer: it is indeed man-made.
The president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) that administers the temple, a senior member of the Pandalam Palace that is traditionally associated with the Ayyappa temple, and the chief priest (Tantri) at the Ayyappa Temple, have clarified their stand on the ‘Makarajyothi darshan' seen at Ponnambalamedu, a remote hilltop situated some 8 km (as the crow flies) from the Sabarimala Sannidhanam, on Makaravilakku day every year.
TDB president M. Rajagopalan Nair said the light sighted at Ponnambalamedu was man-made, but added that the Board itself had no role in creating it. According to him, it is believed that in the olden days, forest-dwellers in and around Ponnambalamedu used to celebrate the Makaravilakku festival at the hilltop. The lighting of a lamp at Ponnambalamedu on Makaravilakku day has become an annual affair even after the forest-dwellers vacating the place in later years, he added. However, Mr. Nair restrained his comments, saying that the TDB would be submitting its report on the issue before the Kerala High Court soon, as required by it on Thursday.
The Pandalam Palace Managing Committee president, P. Ramavarma Raja (whose Letter to the Editor sent in on January 20 is published in the letters column elsewhere in this issue), and the senior Tantri of the temple, Kandararu Maheswararu, also clarified that the light sighted at Ponnambalamedu was man-made.
According to the Tantri, the bright star ‘Makara' that appears on the horizon above the holy hillock of the Sabarimala Sannidhanam on ‘Makaravilakku' day is the ‘Makarajyothi,' and not the light lit at Ponnambalamedu as has been “publicised by certain quarters.”
Both Mr. Raja and the Tantri were of the opinion that the lighting of the lamp at Ponnamabalamedu was a continuation of a practice followed earlier by the tribal families who lived near the hill-top. However, the PPMC president was of the view that the term Makaravilakku has no association at all either with the celestial star or the lamp lighted at Ponnamabalamedu. “The Pandalam Palace does not give any importance to the Makarajyothi, which was the creation of certain vested interests with a hidden agenda to downplay the most important event of deeparadhana offered to the deity decorated with the sacred Thiruvabharanam [sacred ornaments] brought from the Pandalam Palace, on Makaravilakku day,” Mr. Raja added.
According to him, vilakku is an old Malayalam usage for a temple festival, and Makaravilakku is referred to the temple festival at Sabarimala on the day of Makara-sankramom.
Ayyappa Seva Sanghom national vice-president D. Vijayakumar said it was a fact that the lamp lighted at Ponnamabalmedu is “man-made and a matter of faith.” If the TDB is lighting the lamp atop Ponnambalamedu, the TDB and the government that had constituted the temple administrative body are bound to ensure the safety of the multitude that throng the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa for ‘jyothi' worship, Mr Vijayakumar said. According to him, interference by the judiciary and the government in a matter relating to religious faith was not a healthy trend.
Kummanam Rajashekharan, Hindu Aikayvedi general secretary, said Makarajyothi, whether it is man-made or not, has found adivine religious niche in the minds of every Ayyappa devotee. “Makarajyothi, and Ponnambalamedu which is considered as the original base of Sabarimala Temple, are realities and part of a strong religious belief. It was the TDB that had constructed a cement platform at Ponnambalamedu, where the ancient Ayyappa shrine of the forest-dwellers stood, a few years ago on the basis of the prescriptions at an astrological consultation (devaprasnom) held at Sabarimala, earlier,'' he added. Mr. Rajashekharan said that the TDB, with the knowledge of the Kerala High Court, had constructed the platform to conduct ceremonial offerings there on the Makaravilakku day, immediately after the deeparadhana at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. He alleged that certain quarters were trying to divert public attention from the Pulmedu stampede tragedy by creating a controversy over Makarajyothi.
Nair Service Society secretary G. Sukumaran Nair said that the lighting of the Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu is believed to have been part of a religious ceremony of the forest-dwellers in the olden days. The tribal people in the area were forced to resettle on the forest fringes later. Ponnambalamedu is the original base (Moolasthanom) of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and hence performing deeparadhana there should not be made a controversy,” he said.
Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan alleged that certain vested interests were trying to make Makarajyothi a centre of controversy with a hidden agenda to divert attention from the failure of the Government and the TDB in ensuring the safety of pilgrims at Pulmedu. “Devotees have little interest to know who is lighting the Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu. Their minimum requirement is adequate basic facilities at Sabarimala and Pulmedu for smooth pilgrimage,” he said.
Keywords: Sabarimala Makarajyothi, Sabarimala stampede
Now that the truth is out, that the 'Makaravilakku' is a man made flame, why not the govt. of Kerala and/or the Devaswom board look at ways to avert tragedies in the future, such as lighting the flame for more than one evening, for instance, all days for a week prior to the Jan. 14th. This will reduce the size of the crowd to manageable levels and reduce the possibilities of a stampede, without any new construction of roads/facilities at the environmentally sensitive forest area. The star 'Makarajyothi' can be seen from almost anywhere from India and for many days.
The Hindu has done a brave act in disclosing the fact. I hope next time this much crowd will not be there and authorities should take adequate precautions to avert tragedies like this.
All religions and priests really betraying the devotees through the superstitions. Once again the controversy is in the air they blame the rationalists for all these. Tomorrow they will even blame the atheists for the tragedy. It is a shame for cultured and progressive society. It is high time that all progressive people rally round the rationalists to uncover the superstitions like the makara jyothy
The need of the hour is to ensure adequate steps are taken to prevent the mishaps that happened this year. If there are people who believe that the Makarajyothi is sacred it has to be respected by all concerned.Such debates deviate the Kerala government's failure in crowd management.
It's a heart breaking news for me now.If it is Fake Don't continue with this type of cheating. I belive in Lord Ayyappa always.
Those who have witnessed the crowd at Thiruvannamalai on Karthika Deepam festival, would not have any issue with this. There a heap of camphor is lit on top of the mountain which could be seen from miles away. Lakhs of devotees assemble there to take part in the festival and worship the flame which they consider as sacred. As most of the people pointed out above, devotees believe that Ponnambalamedu is special among the eighteen holy hills surrounding Sabarimala.
The govt. of Kerala as well as the Devaswom board should take the responsibility of the accident happened at Sabarimala.It is the duty of a secular govt to disclose the truth for society - not to practice and encourage something to earn revenue from the poor believers from neighbouring state. The govt should declare its stand and formally publish an order for revealing truth behind makarajyothi.
This does not come under the purview of the court. The court should be concerned with the activities not done by the state Government and leave authenticity of Flame to the public.
It has been a trend to question the faith of people instead of focusing on other pressing issues. I have seen the crowd management in several famous temples in Kerala. Its simply pathetic. People running helter-skelter when a queue is opened, no regard for safety, bad-mouthing those who follow the queue, stopping the queue for hours to build up the queue. Truly pathetic! The court must instead focus on these issues.
Not again... not another babri! When will India learn to keep State, Judiciary and Religion separate!
It is the right of the common man to know whether the Makarajyothi is man made or not. As long as it is a private matter one does not need to bother. But now the same jyothi has resulted in the loss of invaluable human life as well as enormous suffering for the kith and kin of those lost their life. It is the duty of Judiciary to explore and find the truth behind it. If it turns out to be man made and especially done by the government itself to boost the business of the temple, than all those human beings involved in these cheap act should be booked under culpable homicide act without any partiality.
Finally the myth about Makarajyothi has been exposed, which was being used to delude the innocent devotees since years to believe it's a miracle/supernatural/divine one, which in turn has taken the lives of many innocents.
The culprits should be bought to justice.
Why can't the Govt. and the Devaswom Board consider keeping the temple open throughout the year as in Tirupathi. I think it will greatly reduce the heavy rush seen in November-December season.
If Makara Jyothi is man-made, the fact should not be hidden from the public. Otherwise, it would be like cheating the devotess for ages. People may still flock to Sabari Malai to have the dharshan of Lord Ayyappa, but the truth should be let known once and for all.
Kudos to The Hindu for clarification on Makarajyothi. This will clear the mist in the minds of devotees who may think that the Makarajyothi is something supernatural. This enlightenment will make them to be practical and avoid overcrowding at the hill temple at the critical hour.
No matter what the faith or belief is the truth has to be brought out. Even after that if the people still crowd around to see the 'divine phenomenon' the authorities cannot be blamed. Let the truth always prevail over blind faith.
Why the honorable court thought that it was pertinent to ask this question in the context of the tragedy is unclear - except to call it more a 'show' of judicial activism. This is because, a logical extension of this question is whether the exhibition of any "Aarthi" flame should be prohibited if people vie with each other to have a glimpse of the same. Let alone faith issues, people throng to have a glimpse of their favorite celebrity. Should a calamity occur in the process, is the celebrity to blame, or the organizers? The fact is that this is NOT the first time tragedy has stuck a pilgrimage center in India. The fact is Sabarimala is thronged by devotees, especially in this season. The fact is that adequate protection of pilgrimage was not there is place. The fact is the authorities were complicit and criminally negligent. It must also be remembered that crowd control and monitoring of these places is an absolute essential because otherwise, they pose themselves as extremely vulnerable target for terror acts. This is what the court should order and focus upon rather that self-indulgent questions on the nature of the Makaravillaku.
Greatly appreciate the honest statements of all. If some people get a feeling of 'Divine' blessings let them have the pleasure.All are not intellectuals.
Trajedy of Pulmedu is shameful to Gods' own country. This is reflected around the world.They will think about poor administration and planning of dedicated ministerial.Stop the all comments about makarajyothi or makaravilakku. That is a devotees faith. No one can stop or even in any judiciary.This judiciary also man made article. Then how can say it is man made or not. This faith is tradition. If one or two vehicle are overrunning to crowded people, never happened this much death. Should be thouroughly investigated by a special team. Have to make the special planning for the future to avoid any type of misadventure. Arrange and keep special task force to avoid any casualities. Use special volunteers by recognised association or ex service staff, Use scout and navy student to control the queue and traffic in congested area. No vehcile allowed beyond that designated point and provide a special parking area. Construct special parking bay for two three and four wheel. One way and two way system to be adopted.
I suspect this controversy is being brought forth to hide the basic failure of state and devaswom in ensuring safe and fair pilgrimage for the ordinary 'swami'. All rationalists might accept that makarajyothi is a man made fire sponsored by the devaswom.But it is only a matter of faith which has myth and superstition attached to it. But the sad truth is that this is deviating from the sad plight of millions of devotees who throng the holy temple.The stampede at Pullumedu is being sidelined in this debate. The state as well as the devaswom cannot shy away from its responsibility of providing adequate facilities during the pilgrimage season.The money earned from the temple should be used to ensure adequate facilities for the ordinary devotees.
Lord Ayyappa, please forgive these Devosam President, Pandlam Palace Managing Commitee President, Govts (decades together Congress and Communist). They never consider devotees belief, sentiments. They wont come with truth that it is man-made. As, the nexus among them got broken for unknown reasons, one after another started telling truths. Pity is Govts also cheated millions of devotees for decades. Atleast truth has come out. Only In India officially govt is cheating innocent people, rather protecting. Please request them to take care of devotees safe passage henceforth, than continue cheating them, making money from them by spreading false stories.
Now the question is, is the TDB doing anything to prevent this carnage again? Please bring in some ration system to allow only certain number of pilgrims per year. Because for Gods sake, you dont have the competence and space to handle so many pilgrims. Atleast they should learn it from Tirupathi.
I dont know what is the truth. But its a heart breaking news for me. Whether it is man-made or not, I belive Lord Ayyappa till my death.
Since it is now more published that the three light pulses seen at Ponnambalamedu , are actually lit as a ritual by men it is better for the concerned authorities of temple/govt to modify the ritual as done at Thiruvannamalai Karthigai deepam, so that the jyothi is visible for hours continuously. This will greatly reduce the rush to see the deepam and facilitate orderly movement of devotees. Faith in Ayyappa is not going to diminished because of this. Devotees will be more enlightened. Will the authorities look up to the devotees from outside the Kerala State?
After the tribal ceased lighting on Ist Makara, which was done when the prayers are being done at Sabrimala, somebody might have initiated the custom. NO HARM IN CONTINUING IT. But the problem came when it was not explained clearly and done n a secret manner. Now the significance has increased when explained well and it should be continued as a custom.
Swamiye saranam Aiyappa!God alone can find a solution for all these problems.He is himself a 'jyothi swaroopan'. Hence, why break heads to know whether makara jyothi is man-made or not.He is the force behind all actions whether good or bad.Even people believing and not believing him is decided by him.If a person has done good karma in present and previous life,he will be motivated to believe more in him whatever happens.
It is amazing to see the level of ignorance in the judiciary. Is this going to make any difference to this tragedy and do they really want to believe that pilgrims will not be visiting next year or is it mere agenda driven smear campaign to satisfy the 'inner feelings' of someone else?
The current issues to be addressed in two parts. First, the Kerala govenerment and TDB should take responsibility in providing proper safety and access to all the deveotees. They should not shamelessly shy away from these while counting crores of money from the devotees. Also there should be Ayyappa temples created in other states to restrict this mad rush. Secondly, the court or the Government or TDB should openly state whether the Makara Jyothi is man made or not. It's a shame that nobody telling the truth. I'm not trying to create a contorversy, but the sentiments of devotees should NOT be exploited by propagating false stories. Let the truth be out.
The supreme satisfaction one begets at the conclusion of this pilgrimage belongs to the inscrutable association between mankind and the divine. The discipline preceding and the immense satisfaction resulting at the culmination of the pilgrimage, bring out the best in the pilgrim's moral character. Society benefits from good individuals. However, what is perplexing is the failure of those in power, whether TDB or Government, to ensure safety and welfare of the thronging devotees, despite availability of reasonably vast resources at their disposal. As a superstitious person myself, I hope these guilty are arraigned in the Court of Lord Ayyappa when their reckoning time comes.
The court has no business in questioning anybody's faith in a religion or the events related to it.If you want scientific proof for rites and rituals, anybody can say all the religions in the world are blind beliefs.The scientific proof offered today may be proved wrong in future.If you are religious follow your religion faithfully.If you are an atheist keep it to yourself.Don't poke your nose into other's religious activities.
Everyone knows at least in some part of his/her mind that the Makarajyothi is man-made. It is a matter of faith like other rituals. We pubic are surprised that this news is bitter. The need of the hour is better safety practices for all pilgrims and proper maintenance of facilities. Accept the truth and work for betterment.
Even the Shabarimala temple is man-made. So what's the big deal in this 'Vilakku'? People who haven't understood earlier that 'Makara Vilakku' is man-made were living in fool's paradise. However, this controversy is good for those who didn't know to know the fact. The authorities should concentrate in providing adequate facilities - at least the basic sanitation/waste disposal, pure drinking water, roads, etc. - rather than counting the money that the devotees dump there! Dear Devotees, Lord Ayyappa does not require any money as he is a bachelor! Don't put lot of money there. It's going to the hands of a few - Panthalam Royal Family, Devaswam Board and the Government. Not helping anyone. If you have that much of money, you may give that to 'Poor temples' where the Poojari (the person who performs Pooja) is struggling to make both ends meet. Also, help protect 'Pamba' River by not throwing waste/drainage and other industrial pollutants.
I am sure that it is not a man made.This is confirm that god shines in the Ponnambalamedu. If your news is correct,please send me the evidence.I'm thinking that this news is spread by the TDB peoples is ,just to divert the devotees.
@ Thomachan,All Religions are based on myth, some people hide it with their powers.The church accepted human feet on moon after many years, they accepted the round shape of earth after stoning Copernicus. Still they believe that a boy can be born while still mother being a virgin..So leave all these to themselves and don't play desperate cards.
Whether the Makara Jyoti is man made or not is not what we should look into. What has the Kerala Govt who knows from years that this is going on, done to protect the devotees from occurrence like this? Be it LDF or UDF they have done nothing till now. What about the Temple Devasom Board. They have done nothing either to control the rush in the temple. Are we so backward that we do not know how to control the rush? Its high time the temple authorities do something. Where does all this money go? Cant they use a certain percentage to give better facilities etc to the devotees? Kerala is the most backward of all states according to me. After some years tourists will flock into kerala to see the heritage of India because all other states would have progressed. How many Industries do we have? Shame on you Politicians and shame on all of us. PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION ATLEAST. Otherwise they are going to spit on us.
There is a limit to exploitation of gullible people in the name of faith and this puts the responsibility of the temple administartors on loss of innocnet lives( who were mot told that this is artificial). Is it possible for the local government to shut the place down till infrastructure has been put in place (a la Tirupati)? It proves that the Kerala govt is having the cake and eating it too (earning 250 crores and do nothing with it invoking their communistic atheist stand). Religion and politics here is indeed separated on selective basis.
No one is coughing the truth, why are they so scared? All Malayalees knows this trick and that's why majority of people who died were from other states.
In India, after Lord Venkateswara, it is Lord Ayyappan who is giving Darshan to crores and crores of devotees. Whether it is man made or Ayyappan made, please do not creat any controversy. When devotees attain 'Mana Shanthi' after seeing Makara Jyothi, one need not raise any question about that. Magara Jothi has great sanctity. I also wish to point out that please provide adequate staying facilities and jothi darshan facilities to the devotees. In the name of sanctity keeping the adjoining places of the temple in old fashion without providing faclities to the devotees, is a great sin on the part of temple authorities or the Devoswam board. Please make adequte steps to the safety of the devotees.
The makarajyothi used to be seen long long before the dewaswom came into being. In fact it was there from 600 AD.after Lord Ayyappan went into the shrine. If this is considered to be a fake why not bring up fake charges against the makara nakshatram and the Garuda which flies over the procession from Pandalam? Are these also being faked by the Dewaswom?
Whether man-made or not, Devotees are going to Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa. The belief in Ayyappa is beyond any jyoti or any star appearing in the horizon. If this is some custom followed by tribals, let it continue. If this is some marketing trick by TDB, then let them please understand we are coming to Sabarimala not to see Makaravilaku or jyoti,but to see our Ayyappa. There can be people for whom the faith comes only if there is some miracle. Upon them these cheap tricks may work out. Hindu culture, for the last 3000 years never imposed the religion on anyone. If you believe in Ayyappa, come to Sabarimala. Through the observation of strict penance, fasting and continence, one learns to control his senses. He gives up his lust and other human desires. He remoulds himself. On reaching his destination, he realizes the meaning of 'Thathwamasi' - That is You. Thus he recognizes the enormous power, restraint and resilience from within. This is a simple way of teaching the more complex idea of the vedas - Aham Bhrahmasmi (I am Brahman). No Jyoti or vilaku can change the idea that is put forward by the yearly Sabarimala pilgrimage.
If the Makara Vilaku is a man mad event as projected above it is indeed a big let down on the beliefs of millions of devotees who throng the hill shrine on the auspicious day of makara vilaku braving all hardships. It is a shame that TDB is a party to this and Lord Ayyappa will never forgive those who are responsible for this man made exploitation on the beliefs of people.
Whether the 'makaravilaku' at Ponnambalamedu is done by humans can be checked easily if it is monitored appropriately. Then one can confirm whether ' makarajyothi' is real or not. Any one who has got faith would not oppose such ideas . It is for us to be diligent.
All these learned and respected people who have all along known that the Jyothi was man-made should also come out with the facts such as who is present there on top of the Ponnambala medu at the appointed hour to light the same every year and also why they have never come out with this information so far. As a devotee who has visited Sabari Hills for 35 years now, I have seen many miracles and these learned men are now shaking the faith of millions of devotees.
As usual in India religious practices which have no basis take preceedence over anything factual or even remotely sceintific. The temples and others exploit the sentiments of illiterate undereducated people with no capacity to question everything. However courts who are supposed to blind and just, should expose these nonsensical practices and relieve people of this misery. Hindu dharma has never asked anyone to go to any temple or follow any superstition. Only cunning people are exploting others. Bhaghavan Krishna said to Aaajamila even one clean minded worship of God with a leaf of tulasi once will clean the sins of people. Whereas in India instead of working hard and achieving inner peace and clear thinking, people are resorting to corrupt behaviour in all walks of life and then trying to wash away the sins. Bhakthi is more important than going to temples and trying to wash away daily sins. When will people learn that. The more the corruption, the more the visits to temples to wash away the sins.
There is nothing wrong if it is man made. Don't we have annamalai deepam?. Bbetter to respect tradition instead of questioning.
Good! At least its out in the open for people who are uneducated, extremely poor, who pray and really believe that its celestial or Gods magical blessing. At least their hopes are not based on someone else's decision to fool them. In this way, they can make an informed decision whether to attend it or not. Faith and belief, will go with you wherever you go. If you really believe, God is everywhere not only in the remote forests of Kerala.
Who cares if it is man-made or God-made? The devotees believe that seeing the jyothi on that day will bring them good in life. So what's the hue and cry about prilgrims wanting to see the jyothi? It is upto the Kerala Government to provide adequeate security and passage for the prilgrims. Don't they collect crores of money from them anyways?
It is not TDB that lights the makaravilakku though. Actually the responsibility for the fire lighting ceremony is with Kerala Police. At least that was so till some time ago. Not sure if it changed recently. Some one I know very well was a high ranking police officer who had the responsibility for a few years to light this fire. He would go in the company of a few policeman and tie up all kinds of twigs and dry wood, light it and lift it up from the ends of long poles, a few times, then immediatly extinguish it. Looks like lot of planning for a few seconds.
Kudos for bringing the truth out. Am sharing the article everywhere.
High Court should have asked Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) if it is involved in creating 'Makarajyothi.' If TDB has nothing to do with it, it is under no obligation to answer the question of being it man made or not. This question can be taken up at a later time but we should not get diverted with immediate problem of serious lapses that led to this tragedy.
Whether or not the celestial flame is man-made, devotees are sure to throng the holy shrine merely due to the divine experience that the penance and the hardships in reaching the temple give to the devotees after hours of trekking through dense forests. The current controversy was predictable after the tragic death of 104 Ayyappa devotees in the avoidable stampede obviously due to the criminal negligence of the administrators. However, no smear campaign will succeed in lessening the popularity and belief of the devotees of Ayyappa - which has of late become a cult movement. The atheists and the so-called rationalists should concentrate on constructive jobs instead of focusing on such issues hurting the unwavering faith of the believers.
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