Happy Deepavali

May the beauty
Of deepavali season
Fill your home with
Happiness,
And may the coming year
Provide you with all
That bring you joy!

Saamy Saranam

Harivarasanam

Harivarasanam (Malayalam: ഹരിവരാസനം, Sanskrit in Devanagari: हरिवरासनम्), also known as Hariharasuthāshtakam, is a Hindu devotional song composed in the astakam metre, recited at Sabarimala (the principal Ayyappan pilgrimage site), before closing the temple door every night. The song was written by Kambamgudi Kulathur Iyer and Swami Vimochanananda sang it for the first time at Sabarimala. Though there have been many versions of this song sung by many renowned vocalists, the Sabarimala temple plays the rendition by K. J. Yesudas every evening after the final pooja. Harivarasanam is written in Malayalam.

Sabarimala was located in the deep jungle area, and in the past a few pious devotees managed the difficult pilgrimage. The temple opened during the Sabarimala season (November to January) but otherwise was only open on the first day of every Malayalam month. VR Gopala Menon, from Alapuzha used to accompany Thirumeni Eashwaran Namboothiri, the Melshanthi (head priest), to Sannidhanam every time, and would stay there by himself even when the temple was closed, remaining undisturbed by the wild animals. Later, when Devaswom Board was formed, it is believed that he was asked to move out. He eventually died at a tea estate at Vandiperiyar.

Gopala Menon used to recite "Harivarasanam" with devotion during his time at Sannidhanam, and when Thirumeni Eashwaran Namboothiri heard about the passing away of the Revered Menon, he was deeply saddened. At the end of the day's rituals, the Namboothiri was about to close the doors of the Sannidhanam when he remembered the dedication and sacrifice of the Revered Gopala Menon and he then began to recite "Harivarasanam"' starting a nostalgic tradition that remains unbroken till date.

Today, as the final verses are being sung, all the assistant Santhis (priests) leave the Sreekovil one by one. As the song ends, only the Melsanthi is inside. He extinguishes the lamps one at a time and closes the doors for the night.

Verses

Harivarasanam Viswamohanam Haridadheeswaram Aaradhyapadukam Arivimarddanam Nithyanarthanam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		Repository of Hari’s boons, Enchanter of the universe, Essence of Hari’s grace, He whose holy feet is worshipped, He who kills enemies by good thought, He who daily dances the cosmic dance, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Sharanakirthanam Bhakthamanasam Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He who likes song of refuge, He who is in the mind of devotees, He who is the great ruler, He who loves to dance, He who shines like the rising sun, He who is the king of all beings, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Pranayasathyakam Praananayakam Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanchitham Pranavamandiram Keerthanapriyam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He whose soul is truth, He who is the darling of all souls, He who created universe, He who shines with a glittering halo, He who is the temple of “OM”, He who loves songs, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Thuragavahanam Sundarananam Varagadayudham Vedavarnitham Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He who rides a horse, He who has a pretty face, He who has the blessed mace as weapon, He who is glorified by Vedas He who bestows grace like a teacher, He who loves songs, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Thribhuvanarchitham Devathathmakam Thrinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam Thridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He who is worshiped by the three worlds, He who is the soul of all gods, He who is lord Shiva, He who is worshipped by devas, He who is who is worshipped three times a day, He whose thought itself is fulfilling, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He who destroys fear, He who brings prosperity, He who is enchanter of universe, He who wears holy ash as ornament, He who rides a white elephant, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Kalamridusmitham Sundarananam Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam Kalabhakesari Vaajivahanam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He who blesses with enchanting smile, He who has a pretty face, He who is adorned by sandal paste, He who has a pretty mien, He who is a like a lion to the elephants, He who rides on a tiger, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
Shrithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam Shruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam Shruthimanoharam Geethalalasam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa		He who is dear to his devotees, He who fulfills wishes, He who is praised by Vedas, He who blesses life of ascetics, He who is the essence of Vedas, He who enjoys divine music, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, Oh Lord My refuge is in you Ayyappa, My refuge is in you Ayyappa
panchadreeshwari mangalam hari hara premakruthey mangalam pinchalamkrutha mangalam pranamathaam chinthamani mangalam panchasyadwaja mangalam thrujagadhamadhya prabhoo mangalam panchastropama mangalam shruthisirolankaara san mangalam

OPENING AND CLOSING DAYS OF SABARIMALA TEMPLE 2010-2011

Pooja	Opening date	Closing Date
Mandala Pooja Maholsavam	16.11.2010	27.12.2010 (Mandala Pooja  27.12.2010 Afternoon)
Makaravilaku festival	30.12.2010	20.01.2011
Makaravilakku Day	14.01.2011
Monthly  pooja (Kubham)	12.02.2011	17.02.2011
Monthly  pooja (Meenam)	14.03.2011	19.03.2011
Kodiyettu Ulsavam	09.03.2011	19.03.2011
Kodiyettu	10.03.2011
Painkuni Uthram&Arattu	19.03.2011
Medavishu Festival	10.04.2011	18.04.2011
Medavishu	15.04.2011
Monthly Pooja(Edavam)	14.05.2011	19.05.2011
Idol Installation Day	10.06.2011	11.06.2011
Monthly pooja(Midhunam)	15.06.2011	20.06.2011
Monthly Pooja(karkadakam)	16.07.2011	21.07.2011
Monthly Pooja(chingam)	16.08.2011	21.08.2011
Onam	07.09.2011	11.09.2011
Monthly Pooja(kanni)	16.09.2011	21.09.2011
Monthly Pooja(thulam)	17.10.2011	22.10.2011
Chithira attavishesham	25.10.2011	26.10.2011
Mandalapooja	16.11.2011	27.12.2011
Mandalapooja	27.12.2011
Makaravikaku Festival	30.12.2011	20.01.2012
makaravilaku	15.01.2012

Distance Chart

There are four main approches the Sabarimala Sabarimala Sastha Temple

1. Kottayam to pamba (via) Erumeli and from Pamba to Sabarimala (by foot) 136 kilometers. Kottayam to Pamba (via) Manimala and there to sabarimala 116 Kilometers.

2. Erumeli to Sabarimala (via) Kalaketty, Azhutha, Inchipra, Karimala, Pampa- 45 kiliometers(traditional route by walking).

3. Vandiperiyar to Mount estate by vehicle and there by waling to sabarimala

4. Climb down sabarimala is Vandiperiyar to Kozhikanam 15 kilometers. Kozhikanam to Uppupara 10 kilometers, Uppupara to Sabarimala 3.5 Kilometers (climb doen on foot). Nearst railway stations are kottayam and Chengannur.

Route	Distance
Erumeli to Pamba	80 km
Kottayam to Erumeli (via) Kanjirapally	55 km
Kottayam to Erumeli (via) Manimala	54 km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Manimala	116km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Thiruvalla (Kozhencherry, Vadasserikkara )	119 km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Thiruvalla	123 km
Chengannur to Pamba	93 Km
Ernakulam to Pamba (via) Kottayam	200 km
Allappy to Pamba (via) Ac Road	137 km
Punalur to Pamba	101 km
Pathanathitta to pamba	65 km
Thiruvananthapuram to Pamba	180 km
Ernakulam to Erumeli (via) Vaikkam, Pala, Ponkunnam	121km