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Festivals
- Kerala
Makaravillakku
at Sabarimala
For
centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim
centre attracting lakhs of devotees to Kerala from all over India,
more so from southern States. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa
known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of unity between
Vaishnavites and Saivites. Darma Sastha is believed to have
fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his Supreme Self,
enshrined at Sabarimala.
The
temple is tucked away in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats
and can be reached only by foot. Pilgrims have to traipse through
the narrow tracks in thick forests infested with wild animals.
Pilgrims to Sabarimala is seasonal (November to January). This marks
an important festival of Kerala. Those wishing to perform pilgrimage
have to undergo forty-one day's penance consisting of strict
celibacy, daily ablutions and daily prayers. Early mornings and
evenings in the festival season Kerala villagers will be
reverberating with dedication calls of Ayyappa devotees. The
festival mood reaches its crescendo on Makara Vilaku day (January
14, the most important day in the festival). The day is in sync with
the day of Sankramom (crossing of the sun from Dhakshinayana to the
Uttarayana).
Situated close by is a shrine in the name of Vavar, a Muslim, who
was thought to be a close aide of Sri Ayyappa. It is a rare
experience to see the Hindu devotees worshipping at the shrine of
Vavar indicating the communal harmony in Kerala.
Easter
Easter is
the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity itself. The
Central tenet of Christianity is not the birth of Jesus, but his
resurrection. Easter derived from this paschal mystery and from the
events of Good Friday.
The content of
Easter was gradually analyzed into historical events and each began
to be celebrated on a different day. As a result, Easter grew into a
Holy Week and came to have a preparatory season to precede and a
festive season to follow. Thus we have four distinct periods in
connection with the observance of Easter - 1. Lent, the forty
preparatory penitential days. 2. Holy Week including the Thursday,
Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 3. the Octave of Easter (classical time
for Baptism) and 4. the paschal season or Easter time extending over
forty more days. On Holy Thursday the Lord's supper is held in the
evening. The washing of feet is a remarkable trait, emphasizing the
love for one another. At home there will be the rite of the pashcal
bread. After supper, the 'cross cake' is brought out and cut into
pieces. A piece is broken, dipped into sauce and handed over to each
member of the family in due order. Good Friday is a day of grief
when churches are empty and dark. Services are held in the
afternoon. In most churches one finds a bitter drink prepared from
leaves, vinegar, etc for everyone to taste after the service. Holy
Saturday is a day of mourning and wailing. A total silence reigns
the church from morning to dusk. But by ten at night the church is
full to observe the Easter Vigil. In the gloom which envelops the
church, new fire is struck from flint and blessed. A big candle is
then consecrated and from it is lighted many candled indicating the
resurrection. Bells peal, music fills the air and light floods the
hall. Hallelujah is the joyous word of Easter wish. Easter Sunday is
a quiet day and the celebrations rather spiritual and inward rather
than social and showy. There will be grand dinner at homes and visit
of relatives.
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