Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple - Kerala

Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is one of the most ancient and prominent

Sastha temples in the country. Located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths. The shrine of Sabarimala is one of the most remote shrines in southern India yet it still draws three to four million pilgrims each year. Surrounded by mountains and dense forest Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated. Perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.

The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad. The shrine gets thronged with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandala pooja (December12,2011) and Makaravilakku(Jan.15th,2012) are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu (April). 


Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to 
Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non vegetarian food and carnal pleasures. Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi kettu containing traditional offerings. Unlike certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty. The easiest route is via Chalakkayam, by which one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.

Routes To Ayyappan Temple

By Train: You can arrive at Kottayam & Chengannur by Railway (Broad gauge) and Punalur (Metre gauge) and from there by BUS to Pampa.

Route                                                   Distance
Erumeli to Pamba                                   80 km
Kottayam to Erumeli (via) Kanjirapally   55 km
Kottayam to Erumeli (via) Manimala           54 km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Manimala           116km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Thiruvalla 
(Kozhencherry, Vadasserikkara )           119 km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Thiruvalla           123 km
Chengannur to Pamba 93 Km
Ernakulam to Pamba (via) Kottayam           200 km
Allappy to Pamba (via) Ac Road           137 km
Punalur to Pamba                                   101 km
Pathanathitta to pamba                           65 km
Thiruvananthapuram to Pamba           180 km

Ernakulam to Erumeli (via) Vaikkam, 
Pala, Ponkunnam                                    121km

Nearest Railway Stations
Kottayam - (0481) 2563535
Chengannur - (0479) 2452340

Pamba Railway Enquiry Counter - (04735) 203605

Swami Saranam