Tribal Woman
Read the following passages and answer the questions given at the end of each:
Sabarimala is in the Western Ghats and is named after Sabari–the tribal woman mentioned in the Ramayana, who attained salvation after her meeting with Ram. Sabarimala is believed to be the abode of LordAyyappa and is visited by about one crore pilgrims every year. For 41 days devotees follow a controlled lifestyle. They eat only vegetarian food, refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco, and follow personal cleanliness and celibacy. Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don’t shave. Irrespective of caste, creed, social status or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple. All pilgrims are referred to as ‘swami’ during the pilgrimage. Offerings to Ayyappa are tied in a bag with compartments known as irumudi. This contains a ghee-filled coconut, betel leaves and nuts, and incense sticks. Pilgrims carry the offerings on their heads throughout the arduous journey chanting the slogan ‘swamiyesaranamAyyappa’ which means ‘Oh Ayappa! I seek refuge in you’. The 18 steps to the temple represent the 18 Puranas. Close to the temple’s entrance, there is a temple to a Muslim disciple, VavarSwamy, while those of two tribal chiefs, KaduthaSwamy and KaruppaSwamy, are positioned on either side of the steps.
Questions :
(a) How did the pilgrim centre Sabarimala get its name?
(b) What is the controlled lifestyle followed by the pilgrims?
(c) What is the significance of ‘irumudi‘?
(d) Why does the writer call the journey arduous?
(e) Write any two special features of the pilgrimage.
(f) Find out the word from the passage which means the same as a place of worship.
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