According to the Tantri, the bright star ‘Makara' that appears on the horizon above the holy hillock of the Sabarimala Sannidhanam on ‘Makaravilakku' day is the ‘Makarajyothi,' and not the light lit at Ponnambalamedu as has been “publicised by certain quarters.”
Kummanam Rajashekharan, Hindu Aikayvedi general secretary, said Makarajyothi, whether it is man-made or not, has found adivine religious niche in the minds of every Ayyappa devotee. “Makarajyothi, and Ponnambalamedu which is considered as the original base of Sabarimala Temple, are realities and part of a strong religious belief. It was the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) that had constructed a cement platform at Ponnambalamedu, where the ancient Ayyappa shrine of the forest-dwellers stood, a few years ago on the basis of the prescriptions at an astrological consultation (devaprasnom) held at Sabarimala, earlier,'' he added.
As usual in India religious practices which have no basis take preceedence over anything factual or even remotely sceintific. The temples and others exploit the sentiments of illiterate undereducated people with no capacity to question everything. However courts who are supposed to blind and just, should expose these nonsensical practices and relieve people of this misery. Hindu dharma has never asked anyone to go to any temple or follow any superstition. Only cunning people are exploting others. Bhakthi is more important than going to temples and trying to wash away daily sins. When will people learn that. The more the corruption, the more the visits to temples to wash away the sins.
