Flags of harmony fly high in Sabarimala

Sabarimala: Flags from rectangular to swallow-tailed shapes, banners with slogans and coat of arms… As the devotees’ rush is increasing, the Sannidhanam has become  a colourful township with the flags and banners of different pilgrim groups from across the country fluttering there. The Nadapandal at Sannidhanam, one of the main resting places of the pilgrims, is adorned with the  flags on either side,  making the area a vexillologist’s delight.

The devotees use the flags to  identify their group from the rest. “We also use  them as a symbol to come together after darshan. During the Makara Vilakku festival rush,  the  people may  get lost in the crowd. Flags help us to identify them,” says Thanka Velu, a devotee from Tenkasi .

“We have been  coming here for the last 25 years as a group and carry the flag as  part of our identity too,” says Dinesan, a member of an Ayyappa Seva Sangham from Kasargod who displayed a triangular flag with orange colour.

A close look at the flags  reveals the regions from where they come.  While many of the Kannadiga groups carry Karnataka's unofficial state flag with golden and red colour, Tamil Nadu groups carry colourful flags with Vel--the divine spear of Lord Subramanya.  However,  Malayali groups rarely carry any common symbols like flags or banners. Many groups  also wear the  same t-shirts, monogrammed and uniform-coloured bags and head bands.