The Holy Pathinettam Padi
Among the most revered thing in Sabarimala pilgrimage is climbing by the Holy 18 Steps (called as Ponnu Pathinettam Padi). As the devotees get up each step towards the Lord on the 18 steps, they get eternal joy pouring into them undescribed any language in the universe. All the pains taken travelling to the place through the 49 or 7 km trekking, get forgetten as the climb the 18 steps.
Till years ago, the pilgrims can also break cocunut on the steps. But after the steps were coated with the 5-metal cover (Panchaloha), this was banned and the cocunuts have to be broken down in a stone at the start of the steps. Breaking of the cocunut meaning sundering the barrier and blending with the Ultimate Lord. To this direction, a devotee in his 19th pilgrimage, carries a cocunut sapling and plants it near the temple premises.
There are different legendary quotes for the 18 steps. One version is that they indicate the 18 mountains in the vicinity. They are:
- Ponnambalamedu
- Gowdenmala
- Nagamala
- Sundaramala
- Chittambalamala
- Khalgimala
- Mathangamala
- Myladummala
- Sreepadamala
- Devarmala
- Nilakkalmala
- Thalapparamala
- Neelimala
- Karimala
- Puthuserrymala
- Kalakettimala
- Inchipparamala
- Sabarimala
Also, the significance of number 18 dates back to the Vedas too.
- The first veda to be authored and protected by Lord Brahma has 18 chapters.
- This Veda was divided into four (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana) by Veda Vyasa and each had 18 chapters.
- Veda Vyasa authored 18 Puranas and 18 Upapuranas.
- Bhagavad Gita had 18 chapters.
- Mahabharat war was for 18 days.
Original BlogDrive Post on Tuesday, November 15, 2005
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