Shabari was not a name but a title for the head of the Shabarimala temple. Her formal title was Tantri Shabari. As is the Indian way, a deep symbolism was woven into it. The word Tantri in old Sanskrit was gender-agnostic and could be used for a male or a female. The root of the word was string or cord. The name Shabarimala translated as the Hill of Shabari in the local language. But in old Sanskrit, mala meant garland. Thus, the Shabarimala, garland of Shabari, was held together by a tantri, the string.
