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Makara (Template:Lang-sa) is the name of a zodiac sign in Indian languages known as Capricorn in English. "Jyoti" means "light" in Sanskrit. Thus "Makara Jyoti" (also spelt as Jyothi) means "Light of Capricorn".
The Sun appears to move from one zodiac constellation to another every month and the day on which Sun changes the constellation is called Sankrānti (= transit) in Sanskrit. Makara Sankranti (Template:Lang-sa, Template:Lang-ml, Template:Lang-kn, Template:Lang-ta, Template:Lang-te ) is the Sun’s transit into Capricorn (Makara) constellation that usually occurs on 14 January every year and is a very important Hindu festival celebrated all over India in various forms. Uttarāyaṇa, the six-month period when the sun travels towards the north on the celestial sphere starts on Makara Sankranti and ends on Karka Sankranti (around July 14).
One of the places where a large number of devout Hindus reach on 14 January for worship is Sabarimala located in thick rain forests of Kerala.
Makara Jyothi is a star which is worshiped by pilgrims in huge numbers at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala on Makara Sankranti on 14 January every year. However many devout Hindus claim that Makara Jyothi is the celestial lighting which takes place on Makara Sankranthi day and they believe that Lord Ayyappan asserts himself as Makara Jyothi to bless his devotees.
Note : Makara Jyoti is not to be mistaken to Makara Vilakku. Makaravilakku is a light or flame that appears thrice on the Ponnambalamedu hill, four kms away to the temple.
Popularity of the Ritual
Lord Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana met Sabari, an ardent devotee, at Sabarimala. Sabari offered the Lord fruits after tasting them. But the Lord accepted them gladly and whole-heartedly. The Lord then turned and saw a divine person doing tapas. He asked Sabari who it was. Sabari said it was Sasta. Rama walked towards Sasta and the latter stood up to welcome the Prince of Ayodhya. The anniversary of this incident is celebrated on Makara Vilakku day. It is believed that on Makara Vilakku day, Lord Dharmasasta stops his tapas to bless his devotees.
The most famous Ayyappa shrine in India is the one at Sabarimala with over 50 million devotees visiting it every year..
The huge crowd of pilgrims that witnesses the event has been on the rise every year. It is believed that 1.5 million devotees witnessed Makarajyoti light in 2010. The revenue collection during the Makaravilakku period was also higher compared to previous years. The total donations were Rs.720 million in 2008 against previous year’s Rs.723 million.
Sabarimala stampedes and Authenticity Debate
References
- "Sighting of `Makarajothi' brings good luck and blessings". Chennai, India: The Hindu Online. January 14, 2006.
- "Pilgrims witness Makara Jyothi". Manorama Online.
- "Sighting of `Magharajothi' brings good luck and blessings". Chennai, India: The Hindu Online. January 15, 2010.
Further reading
- Makara Jyothis Enna Thattippu (Makara Jyothis : A fraud) : Pavanan - Published by Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, 1981
- Makara Jyothi - A.V.Jose (Yukthivicharam, February 1981)
- Makara Jyothikku Purakil (The secret of Makara Jyothi) - Unni Kakkanad (Yukthivadi, February 1981)
- Vyajagni (The Fake-flame) : T. N. Gopakumar (Kalakaumudi Weekly, Issue No: 1638, 2007) (Republished in Yukthirekha, January–February 2007)
- Illustrated Weekly of India, February 15, 1987
- Indian Express, Cochin edition, January 10, 1988
- http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article407311.ece New Indian express
- http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1116827.ece the Hindu
- http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/22/stories/2011012263371300.htm the Hindu
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vCOTF8-7nM
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i58IaLnICrs&feature=related
External links
- The official website of Travancore Devaswom Board
- More mythological detail about Lord Ayyapan
- Clarification of the matter by Minister
- - Media reports on Makara Vilakku/Makara Jyoti
- Sabarimala - The Recurring Tragedy Caused by State-sponsored Superstition
- - Minister G.Sudhakaran on Makara Vilakku / Makara Jyothi
- An amateur experience of makarajyothi
