SABARIMALA: Following the custom of over the last 25 years, the members of ‘Kaani’ tribe came all the way from Agasthyarkoodam in Thiruvananthapuram to Sabarimala sannidhanam, carrying forest products to submit before Lord Ayyappa. As many as 107 ‘Kaanis’ from the land of Agastya residing deep inside the woods had to walk for at least 30 kilometres through Kottoor before they reached the nearest road to start their journey to Sabarimala on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, their remaining relatives back in the settlement will be in front of an all-time-lit lamp praying for the safety of those who have set off to meet the presiding deity, until they reach back to their settlements. The pilgrims presented wild honey, banana and wild frankincense along with bamboo and reed products to submit flowers. The team members included those between age groups 5 to 70, along with 33 children and women. They came from Pattampara, Plavila, Pothodu, Kamalakam, Podiyam, Mukkothavayal, Pankavu, Aayiramkaal, Kutheri, Chonampara and Komba settlements.
After fasting for 21 days, they pack their belongings at their tribal temples deep inside the forest and travel on different routes to unite at Mungani temple before setting off their journey to meet Ayyappa with the presentations believed to be from Agastya Muni, the saint whose name the forest carries. The remaining tribals conduct the prayers and poojas for pleasing Kaalathu Thamburan, Arappurath Marthandavelan Muthan, and Elankodichavu – all mountain gods who are believed to accompany the team during their long journey to the hill shrine. The team that sets off to Sabarimala from Kottoor will also visit temples including Kottarakkara Ganapathy temple, Pandalam valiya koyikkal temple, and Nilakkal mahadeva temple before they reach Pamba.
