Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Significance of the 18 steps at Sabarimala.

The number 18 is of great significance in Indian culture & spiritual traditions. The Mahabharata war lasted 18 days, there are 18 chapters in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, the Puranas & Upanishads are also 18 in number. The Srimad Bhagavatam too, contains 18,000 verses. The hills in the Sabarimala region, including Sabarimala itself, are 18 in number, & so are the extremely sacred steps leading up to the sanctum of Lord Ayyappa.

There are many explanations regarding the significance of the 18 steps. Some say that these 18 steps represent the 18 puranas, while others say that Lord Ayyappa gave up His 18 weapons at each of these steps. Still others say that these 18 steps represent the 18 hills.

The most widely known explanation is as follows:

The first 5 steps represent the 5 sensory organs/senses: eyes/sight, ears/hearing, nose/smell, tongue/taste, skin/touch.

The next 8 steps represent various emotions: tatwa/philosophy, kama/desire, krodha/anger, moha/attachment, lobha/greed, mada/pride, matsarya/jealousy or envy, ahankara/pride.

The next 3 steps signify the 3 basic modes of human nature: Satwa guna/mode of righteousness, Rajo Guna/mode of passion, Tamo Guna/mode of ignorance.

The last 2 steps represent Vidya/knowledge & Avidya/ignorance.

Stepping on these 18 steps after 41 days of penance & prayer, with a heart full of love & devotion towards the Lord, is said to be a symbolic victory over our emotions & vices.

Padi Pooja is an elaborate ritual at Sabarimala, in which the sacred 18 steps are worshipped. It is performed in the evening on certain days by the Thanthri or the seniormost priest of the temple, in the presence of the Melsanthi or the chief priest. The hour long ritual involves completely washing & wiping the 18 steps, decorating them with bright coloured silk cloth & flowers, and lighting lamps on each step. The Thanthri performs poojas to each of the 18 deities who guard the 18 hills & 18 steps of Sabarimala & prays to them to bless each person who reverently climbs the 18 steps with full devotion. The pooja ends with an aarti of the steps.

May Pathinettam Padikkudaiyanathan - the Supreme Lord of the 18 steps bless one and all

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa