Normally the steps leading to a
temple are forgotten the moment one steps on to the holy premises, but not in the case of
the pathinettampadi. The significance of the sathyamam ponnu pathinettampadi is next only
to the idol of Lord Ayyappa. In fact, only those devotees carrying an irumudi are allowed
to enter the temple premises through the pathinettampadi.Droplets of ectasy trickles into
one's mind at the very sight of the 18 golden steps. The devotee, after the hazardous 6-km
trek on the forest road from Pamba, breaks a coconut carried in the irumudi before
stepping on to the pathinettampadi.
Till a few years ago, pilgrims used to break the coconut on the step corresponding to the
number of the pilgrimages undertaken. However, after the pathinettampadi was coated with
panchaloha, they aren't permitted to do so and instead have to break the cococnut on a
stone at the foot of the steps.
Breaking of the coconut in itself is a spiritual act. The shell of the coconut represents
the material body and kernel, the immaterial. The water represents the soul. When the
devotee breaks the coconut and steps on to the pathinettampadi, he breaks the physical
barrier and blends with the Ultimate.
A devotee on his 19th pilgrimage carries with him a coconut sapling which he plants near
the temple. This again underscores one more magnificent facet of the pilgrimage: The
symbiosis between man and nature.
THE 18 STEPS TO MOKSHA:
There are many theories about the significance of 18 steps in the pilgrimage to
Sabarimala. It is believed that the steps represent 18 mountains surrounding the temple.
On each step, the deity of the corresponding mountain has been installed. So when the
devotee climbs the 18 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum, he attains the punya of
visiting all 18 hill gods.During the padipuja, deities of these 18 mountinas are
propitiated.
The 18 mountains are: Ponnambalamedu, Gowdenmala, Nagamala, Sundaramala, Chittambalamala,
Khalgimala, Mathangamala, Myladummala, Sreepadamala, Devarmala, Nilakkalmala,
Thalapparamala, Neelimala, Karimala, Puthuserrymala, Kalakettimala, Inchipparamala and
Sabarimala.The 18 steps are also considered as five indriyaas _ eye, ear, nose, tongue and
skin; eight rajas, kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada, matasraya, aham and asooya; three
gunas: satva guna, raja guna and tamo guna; and vidya and avidya.
SIGNIFICANCE OF 18 IN HINDUISM:
Eighteen is considered as the code number to break into the soul of the Nature. The
significance of 18 can be traced back to the Vedic age.The first Veda, believed to be
protected by Lord Brahma himself, had 18 chapters. Later, Veda Vyasa divided it to create
the four vedas: Rigveda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharava Veda. Each of these vedas had
18 chapters.Veda Vyasa also wrote 18 puranas and 18 upa-puranas. The Bhagavad Gita has 18
chapters and the Kurukshetra war lasted 18 days.
