Gilvester/NDTV
Sabarimala, May 31: The Sabarimala shrine in Kerala is in the news again this time about a divine light, which they have admitted has no celestial origin but is a manmade fire.
The light is called Makaravilakku, a light that appears three times in the thick jungles of Ponnambalamedu near the shrine in January.
Both the government and the temple have for the first time admitted that it is not a celestial occurrence but a fire lighted by men.
The light is spotted near the Sabarimala shrine on Makara Sankranti every year. There were speculations over its celestial origin but the LDF government in Kerala has confirmed that it is fire lit by men.
G Sudhakaran, Devaswom Minister said, ''I was present on the Makaravillukku day at the Sabarimala last season. I saw the celestial star and it is at that very time that Makaravilakku is lighted. There is no doubt about it that it is lighted by the men.''
This is the first time, the government has come clean on what the rationalists have said for decades that Makaravillaku is no miracle but a fire created by burning camphor.
Rahul Easwar, grandson of Sabarimala chief priest said, ''It's a misunderstanding in the mind of misinformed people not informed devotees. Makarajyothi is different and Makaravillkku is different that's why there are two names. Makarajyothi is a celestial star while Makaravillakku is symbolic lighting of lamp in place called Ponambalamedu, where there was a temple earlier.''
Every year, it is a moment of ecstasy for the lakhs of devotees at the Sabarimala temple when the sacred light is seen.
The Devaswom Board, which administers the temple, says it has no role in lighting Makaravillaku as it happens in a jungle, which is not under the Board's control.