Sabarimala

Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a beautiful mountain in Kerala, India famous for the Ayyappa temple which attracts 50 million visitors every year. Sabarimala mountain is situated inside the evergreen forests of Periyar Tiger Reserve on Western Ghat mountain ranges. It is 1535 ft above sea level.

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop (about 3000 feet above sea level) named Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district, which is unique in many respects. The uniqueness gathers its voice, as the temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. There is a place near the temple; east to Sannidhanam, dedicated to the Vavar (a sufi and friend of Lord Ayyappa) which is called 'Vavarunada', an epitome of religious harmony. Another interesting fact is that it is not open throughout the year. It is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku and Chitra Vishu. It is said that the pilgrims have to follow fasting for 41 days to cleanse their minds before going to Sabarimala. The journey to the temple is to be taken through difficult paths in the forest as the vehicles can go only up to Pampa. 

Pilgrims are required to adopt an ascetic lifestyle before climbing the hill, including abstention from drinking, smoking, and tobacco for a period of at least a week before climbing the hill rock; abstention from consuming any non-vegetarian food or any kind of food that contains roots of plants. Food must be consumed only after bathing and praying, and in limited quantities. Pilgrims are also to refrain from sex, shaving, having a haircut and using luxuries such as perfumes, scents, silk clothes and shoes.

Devotees wear blue, black or saffron-coloured costumes. All pilgrims carry an Irrumudi-Kettu, which is a bag containing a coconut filled with ghee, puja materials, rice and banana which will be folded into two halves and carried on one's head. All devotees must chant "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa" (which means Ayyappa is my saviour) as a token of devotion. Every other person when met at Sabarimala is referred to as Ayyappa and must not be called by his or her name.

Distance Chart

Erumely to Pamba

80 km

Kottayam to Erumely (via) Kanjirapally

55 km

Kottayam to Erumely (via) Manimala

54 km

Kottayam to Pamba (via) Manimala

116 km

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

Alappuzha to Pamba (via) AC Road

137 km

Punalur to Pamba

101 km

Pathanamthitta to Pamba

65 km

Thiruvananthapuram to Pamba

180 km

Ernakulam to Erumely (via) Vaikkam, Pala, Ponkunnam


121 km