MakaraJyothi is man made

MakaraJyothi is man made

Yes you read it right.

Following the stampede that killed 102 pilgrims at the event this year, the Kerala High Court wanted to know whether or not the ‘Makarajyothi' is a man-made phenomenon. And the answer is YES !! Makara Jyothi is a man made phenomenon.

Makarajyothi is believed to be a celestial star which is visible from the Sabarimala Shrine and surrounding areas from the day of Makar Samkranti (Winter solstice)onwards and its vision is considered as auspicious on that day by the devotees of Lord Ayyappa.

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.

The Sabarimala temple complex (circled) surrounded by forests, as seen from Ponnambalamedu, a hill-top east of the Sannidhanam. It is here that the Makarajyothi is traditionally sighted on Makaravilakku day. The square cement platform here, used to light fire, was built by the Travancore Devaswam Board in the 1990s, it has now been stated. This picture was taken in 2006 after an arduous climb through the shoal forest along with certain officials, with due permission. But since then it has become a highly restricted spot.


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. 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.

But this secret that the Makarajyothi is man made is not known to many till yesterday. Every year large number of devotees visit the temple to see this 'sacred' light. And now this leads to an even bigger debate as to whether the temple's administrative board has been cashing in the name of this event and fooling the devotees.

There is a flip side to this argument. This belief has attracted or motivated a large number of men (only men are allowed into the temple) to follow strict penance and continence. May be this belief gave man a feeling of satisfaction and now this secret after being revealed might have some influence on such devotees.

But anyways, God is God. .... the debate goes on...

Here are two interesting comments posted on The Hindu's article :

...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).....

....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 today, 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.

[source: The Hindu ]