The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women, as women form the major portion of devotees.

 The traffic regulations in connection with Attukal Pongala, Thiruvananthapuram will be in force from 12 noon on 27th (Saturday) to late on Sunday.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the ancient Bhagavathy Temple at Ezhamkulam near Adoor to witness the Thookkom vazhipadu held as part of the annual Bharani festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbom o

Catholic Church in India Friday banned in all its member schools a New Delhi-based publisher for printing pictures of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a beer can in another in a book f

Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers announced that the Catholic Church manages 26 percent of health care facilities in the world.

Location : Southwestern tip of India. Area : 38, 863 sq km. Population : 3,18,38,619 Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Language : Malayalam;English is widely spoken.

Manjinikkara Church, about 4 km from Pathanamthitta town, South Kerala In the Manjinikkara Church the mortal remains of the holy Patriarch of the Antioch, Mar Ignatius Elias III, is preserved.

A Constitution bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court today struck down a state law providing 4 per cent reservation in educational institutions and jobs to 15 groups belonging to the Muslim community.

The order was passed by the seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Anil Ramesh Dave on a petition filed by an advocate K Kondala Rao.

Soon after the court's order, Chief Minister K Rosaiah directed the state advocate general D S R Murthy to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the verdict.

Guruswamy has a significant role to play in the Ayyappa cult. The Guruswamy is usually an elderly person who has undertaken pilgrimage to Sabarimala not less than seven consecutive years in the traditional long route and had darshan of Makara Jothi. The devotees treat the Guruswamy as Ayyappan himself. It is important that pilgrims gain knowledge from the Guruswamy on all the aspects of the Pilgrimage. One should serve the Guruswamy physically, mentally and verbally.

Makara Sankranthi (around 14th January) day is the most auspicious day at Sabarimala. The Jewel Casket is carried on head from the ancestral residence of the royal family of Panthalam to the Shrine on this day. A Garuda, the Brahaman kite, follows this ornaments-carrying procession, hovering about in the sky, After these ornaments are worn on the Lord the bird circles the temple in the sky three times and disappears. Excited by this sight the devotees begin to chant "Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa".

Sabarimala temple complex mainly comprises of the Holy Eighteen Steps (PONNU PATHINETTAMPADI) in the front side for ascending to the upper thirumuttom, the main temple of SREE DHARMA SASTHA, shrines of KANNIMEL GANAPTHY and NAGARAJA. The pilgrims with IRU MUDI KETTU alone are permitted to ascend the Holy Eighteen Steps. Entry to the temple for all other is through the steps on the northern side.