Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Sabrimala is in the Western Ghats and is named after Sabari, -the tribal woman

mentioned in the Ramayana, who attained salvations after her meetin g with Ram.

Sabarimala is believed to be the abode of lord Ayappa and is visited by about one crore

pilgrims every year. For 41 days devotees follow a controlled life style. They eat only

vegetarian food, refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco, and f ollow personal

cleanliness and celibacy. Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don’t shave. Irrespective of

caste, creed, social status or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple. All

pilgrims are referred to as ‘swami’ during the pilgrimage. Offerings to Ayyappa are tied in

a bag with compartments known as irumudi. This contains a ghee -filled coconut, betel

leaves and nuts, and incense sticks. Pilgrims carry the offerings on their heads throughout

the arduous journey chanting the slogan’ sw amiye saranam Ayyappa’ which means ‘oh

Ayappa; I seek refuse in you’. The 18 steps to the temple represent the 18 puranas. Close

to the temple’s entrance, there is a temple to a Muslim disciple. Vavar Swamy while those of two tribal chiefs, kadutha swamy and karuppa swamy, are positioned on either side of

the steps.

a. How did the pilgrim centre Sabrimala get its name? (1)

b. What is the controlled life style followed by the pilgrims. (1)

c. What is the significance of ‘irumudi’? (1)

d. Why does the writer call the journey arduous? (1)

e. Write any two special features of the pilgrimage. (2)

f. Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as the following:

i. House

ii. A place of worship​

Answer 1

1)Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don’t shave. Irrespective of

caste, creed, social status or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple

Answer 2

Answer:

find out the words from the passage which means the same as the following

a place of worship