| Revision as of 06:19, 9 January 2014 editAyyappan14k (talk | contribs)1 editNo edit summary← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 16:07, 6 November 2024 edit undoMonkbot (talk | contribs)Bots3,695,952 editsm Task 20: replace {lang-??} templates with {langx|??} ‹See Tfd› (Replaced 1);Tag: AWB | ||
| (98 intermediate revisions by 75 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Short description|Star appearing at Sabarimala Temple}} | |||
| {{POV|date=December 2011}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} | |||
| {{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}} | |||
| {{Otheruses|Makar Sankranti}}{{More citations needed|date=December 2022}} | |||
| ], in 2010]] | |||
| {{Hinduism}} | {{Hinduism}} | ||
| '''Makara Jyothi''' is a star worshiped by pilgrims at ] in ] on ] every year. It is believed that the deity ] asserts himself as Makara Jyothi to bless his devotees. | |||
| ] | |||
| == Etymology == | |||
| ''Makara'' ({{langx|sa|मकर}}) is the name of a ] in Indian languages known as ] in English. ''Jyoti'' means "light" in Sanskrit. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Popularity of the ritual == | ||
| The Sun appears to move from one zodiac ] to another every month and the day on which Sun changes the constellation is called Sankrānti (= transit) in Sanskrit. ] ({{lang-sa|मकर संक्रान्ति}}, {{lang-ml|മകര സാന്ക്രാന്തി}}, {{lang-kn|ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ}}, {{lang-ta|தைப்பொங்கல்}}, {{lang-te|మకర సంక్రాంతి}} ) is the Sun’s transit into Capricorn (Makara) constellation that usually occurs on 14 January every year and is a very important Hindu festival celebrated all over India in various forms. ], the six-month period when the sun travels towards the north on the celestial sphere starts on Makara Sankranti and ends on Karka Sankranti (around July 14). | |||
| ⚫ | The huge crowd of pilgrims that witnesses the event has increased every year.<ref name="Sight">{{cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/14/stories/2006011406820500.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080129221318/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/14/stories/2006011406820500.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 January 2008 |title=Sighting of 'Makarajothi' brings good luck and blessings | location=Chennai, India |work= ] |date=14 January 2006}}</ref> It is believed that 1.5 million devotees witnessed ''Makara Jyoti'' in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=3449548&programId=1073754912&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@ |title=Pilgrims witness Makara Jyothi |publisher=Manorama Online}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2023}} The revenue collection during the Makaravilakku period was also higher compared to previous years. The total donations were ]720 million in 2008 against previous year’s Rs.723 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011553760400.htm |title=Sabarimala revenue put at Rs.102.52 crore |location=Chennai, India |date=15 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118110549/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011553760400.htm |work=] |archivedate=18 January 2008 }}</ref> | ||
| One of the places where a large number of devout Hindus reach on 14 January for worship is Sabarimala located in thick rain forests of Kerala. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Sabarimala stampedes and authenticity debate== | ||
| '''Makara Jyothi''' is a star which is worshiped by pilgrims in huge numbers at ] in ] on ] on 14 January every year. However many devout Hindus claim that Makara Jyothi is the celestial lighting which takes place on Makara Sankranthi day and they believe that Lord Ayyappan asserts himself as Makara Jyothi to bless his devotees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikinewslive.com/makara-jyothi-makara-vilakku-2014-live-telecast/43/ |title=About Makara Jyothi - Makara Vilakku |publisher=wikinewslive.com |accessdate=9 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {{Main|Makara Vilakku}} | |||
| In 1999 and 2011, two major human stampedes occurred on 14 January at Sabarimala, killing 53 and 106 people, respectively.<ref name="mathrubhumi1">{{cite news |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=103730 |title=Makarajyothi: Court intervening after 11 years |publisher=Mathrubhumi English |date=21 January 2011 |accessdate=2014-01-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201202106/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=103730 |archivedate=2014-02-01 }}</ref><ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sabarimalas-Makara-Jyothi-is-man-lit-TDB/articleshow/7397707.cms |title=Sabarimala's Makara Jyothi is man-lit: TDB |publisher=Times Of India |date=2011-01-31 |accessdate=2014-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=G. Mahadevan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sabarimala-stampede-toll-rises-to-102/article1094557.ece |title=Sabarimala stampede: toll rises to 102 |work=The Hindu |date=2011-01-15 |accessdate=2014-01-18}}</ref> In 1999 the Justice T Chandrasekhara Menon committee that investigated the stampede refrained from going into the details of authenticity of Makara Jyothi. It stated that Makara Jyothi is a matter of belief and could not be investigated. Justice Chanadrasekhara Menon had probed the veracity of Makara Jyoti during that time. He also appointed an advocate of the commission to witness it.<ref name="mathrubhumi1"/> | |||
| ⚫ | The 2011 stampede occurred during an annual pilgrimage, killing 102 pilgrims and injuring more than 100.{{Contradictory inline|date=November 2023}} Amid a renewed debate after this stampede, Kerala High Court wanted to know whether or not Makara Jyoti is a man-made phenomenon, asking about the authenticity of the hallowed celestial light visible from Sabarimala. "A distinction has to be made between the Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi. The Jyothi is a celestial star. Makarvilakku is lit ," said the head of the Thazamon Thanthri family, Kantararu Maheswararu.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala-high-courts-poser-on-makarajyothi/article1105093.ece |title=Kerala High Court's poser on 'Makarajyothi' |work=The Hindu |date=2011-01-20 |accessdate=2014-01-18}}</ref> After this the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) said that it was known to most believers that it was a man lit-fire, but there was a Hindu belief behind it. "It is known to everybody that Makara Vilakku is a fire lit up by men at Ponnabalamedu and TDB also recognises this. But Makara Jyothi is a celestial star", TDB President M Rajagoplan Nair told reporters on 31 January 2011.<ref name="indiatimes1"/> | ||
| Note : Makara Jyoti is not to be mistaken to Makara Vilakku. ] is a light or flame that appears thrice on the Ponnambalamedu hill, four kms away to the temple. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Popularity of the |
||
| Lord Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana met Sabari, an ardent devotee, at Sabarimala. Sabari offered the Lord fruits after tasting them. But the Lord accepted them gladly and whole-heartedly. The Lord then turned and saw a divine person doing tapas. He asked Sabari who it was. Sabari said it was Sasta. Rama walked towards Sasta and the latter stood up to welcome the Prince of Ayodhya. The anniversary of this incident is celebrated on Makara Vilakku day. It is believed that on Makara Vilakku day, Lord Dharmasasta stops his tapas to bless his devotees. | |||
| This event marks the culmination of the long and arduous pilgrimage to Sabarimala shrine. The light disappears in the evening after the ''Thiruvaabharanam'' (divine ornaments) are brought into the sanctum sanctorum and are placed on the Lord. The most significant rituals of worship are performed at the day of ''Makarajyoti'' (14 January every year). It draws the second largest number of pilgrims to a place of worship in India. The entire event is broadcast LIVE on most of South Indian television channels in ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| The most famous Ayyappa shrine in India is the one at Sabarimala with over 50 million devotees visiting it every year.. | |||
| ⚫ | The huge crowd of pilgrims that witnesses the event has |
||
| ⚫ | ==Sabarimala stampedes and |
||
| In 1999 and 2011, two major human stampedes occurred on 14 January, Makara Jyothi Day at Sabarimala, killing 53 and 106 people respectively. | |||
| <ref>http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=103730</ref> | |||
| .<ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-31/india/28362570_1_sabarimala-temple-temple-board-tdb</ref><ref>http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sabarimala-stampede-toll-rises-to-102/article1094557.ece</ref> In 1999 the Justice T Chandrasekhara Menon committee that investigated the stampede refrained from going into the details of authenticity of 'Makara Jyothi'. Committee stated that Marakajyothi is a matter of belief and can't be probed. Justice Chanadrasekhara Menon had probed the veracity of makarajyothi during that time. He also appointed an advocate of the commission to witness the makarajyothi.<ref>http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=103730</ref> | |||
| In 2011 another human stampede occurred on 14 January, Makara Jyothi Day at Sabarimal. It broke out during an annual pilgrimage, killing 106 pilgrims and injuring about 100 more. | |||
| ⚫ | Amid a renewed debate after this stampede, Kerala High Court wanted to know whether or not |
||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} | ||
| == Further reading == | |||
| # ''Makara Jyothis Enna Thattippu'' (Makara Jyothis : A fraud) : ] - Published by ], 1981 | |||
| # ''Makara Jyothi'' - A.V.Jose (''Yukthivicharam'', February 1981) | |||
| # ''Makara Jyothikku Purakil'' (The secret of Makara Jyothi) - Unni Kakkanad (''], February 1981) | |||
| # ''Vyajagni'' (The Fake-flame) : ] (] Weekly, Issue No: 1638, 2007) (Republished in ], January–February 2007) | |||
| # '']'', February 15, 1987 | |||
| # ''], ] edition, January 10, 1988 | |||
| #http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article407311.ece New Indian express | |||
| #http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1116827.ece the Hindu | |||
| #http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/22/stories/2011012263371300.htm the Hindu | |||
| #http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vCOTF8-7nM | |||
| #http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i58IaLnICrs&feature=related | |||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * | *O | ||
| * | |||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| {{HinduFestivals}} | {{HinduFestivals}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:07, 6 November 2024
Star appearing at Sabarimala TempleFor other uses, see Makar Sankranti.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Makara Jyothi" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Makara Jyothi is a star worshiped by pilgrims at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala on Makara Sankranti every year. It is believed that the deity Ayyappan asserts himself as Makara Jyothi to bless his devotees.
Etymology
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is the name of a zodiac sign in Indian languages known as Capricorn in English. Jyoti means "light" in Sanskrit.
Popularity of the ritual
The huge crowd of pilgrims that witnesses the event has increased every year. It is believed that 1.5 million devotees witnessed Makara Jyoti in 2010. The revenue collection during the Makaravilakku period was also higher compared to previous years. The total donations were Rs.720 million in 2008 against previous year’s Rs.723 million.
Sabarimala stampedes and authenticity debate
Main article: Makara VilakkuIn 1999 and 2011, two major human stampedes occurred on 14 January at Sabarimala, killing 53 and 106 people, respectively. In 1999 the Justice T Chandrasekhara Menon committee that investigated the stampede refrained from going into the details of authenticity of Makara Jyothi. It stated that Makara Jyothi is a matter of belief and could not be investigated. Justice Chanadrasekhara Menon had probed the veracity of Makara Jyoti during that time. He also appointed an advocate of the commission to witness it.
The 2011 stampede occurred during an annual pilgrimage, killing 102 pilgrims and injuring more than 100. Amid a renewed debate after this stampede, Kerala High Court wanted to know whether or not Makara Jyoti is a man-made phenomenon, asking about the authenticity of the hallowed celestial light visible from Sabarimala. "A distinction has to be made between the Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi. The Jyothi is a celestial star. Makarvilakku is lit ," said the head of the Thazamon Thanthri family, Kantararu Maheswararu. After this the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) said that it was known to most believers that it was a man lit-fire, but there was a Hindu belief behind it. "It is known to everybody that Makara Vilakku is a fire lit up by men at Ponnabalamedu and TDB also recognises this. But Makara Jyothi is a celestial star", TDB President M Rajagoplan Nair told reporters on 31 January 2011.
References
- "Sighting of 'Makarajothi' brings good luck and blessings". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008.
- "Pilgrims witness Makara Jyothi". Manorama Online.
- "Sabarimala revenue put at Rs.102.52 crore". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 January 2010. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008.
- ^ "Makarajyothi: Court intervening after 11 years". Mathrubhumi English. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Sabarimala's Makara Jyothi is man-lit: TDB". Times Of India. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- G. Mahadevan (15 January 2011). "Sabarimala stampede: toll rises to 102". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- "Kerala High Court's poser on 'Makarajyothi'". The Hindu. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
External links
- Official website of Travancore Devaswom Board
- Clarification of the matter by Minister
- Minister G.Sudhakaran on Makara Vilakku / Makara Jyothi
