A
s a last wish before his depart, the King requested the Lord to make
his abode in his kingdom. He should be blessed to build a temple for Him wherever He chose
in his territory. Lord Ayyappa agreed and to indicate the exact spot, he shot an arrow and
said that the place where the arrow fell would become famous "Sabari Hill". He further
explained to the King that the temple that he would build should have an entrance with
eighteen steps. These steps represent five "Indriyas’. The eight "Ragas", the three "Gunas",
"Vidhya" and "Avidhya". He also pointed out a nearby place where his "Sakthi" should be
saved forever. That place is now called "Maalikapram".
It is believed that Lord Ayyappa visit all eighteen "Sastha" temples of
Kerala and the temple of Sabari on the day of "Makara Sankranthi" every year. Thousands and
thousands of Ayyappa disciples every year abide proper austerities and travel from all
around the nation to visit the Sabari Temple irrespective of caste. Lord Ayyappa’a friends
‘Kadutha’ and ‘Vavar Swami’ are also sitting nearby as safe guards to Lord Ayyappa.
