Sabarimala

Place : Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Significance :Temple dedicated to Sri Ayyappan (Lord Muruka or Subrahmanya)
Best time to visit : November to January

Sabarimala (72 Km from Pathanamthitta) is a famous pilgrimage centre in Kerala. There is a shrine dedicated to Sri Ayyappan at Sabarimala, high up in the Sahyadhri Mountains at an altitude of 914 m above sea level. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. 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.

Non Hindus are also allowed to conduct pilgrimages to the temple. This is one place which has turned out to be a model of communal harmony. There is 'Vavar Nada', a shrine in honour of a Muslim Saint close to the Ayyappa Swami Temple at Sabarimala.  Pilgrims to Sabarimala worship here first and then proceed to the main temple. 

Women between the age group of 10-50 are not permitted for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Only pilgrims who have observed 'Vritham' (penance) and carry 'Irumudikkettu' (Pallikkettu) alone are allowed entry through the Holy 'Pathinettampadi' (18 Divine Steps) to the shrine. The steps depict elements, mind, intelligence etc. Those who crosses all these steps is believed to achieve 'Punyadarshan'.

The shrine is open only on specific occasions : 'Mandalam', 41 days from Mid November to end December, 'Makaravilakku' mid of January, on 'Vishu' - mid April, 'Prathistha day' (May - June) and during the Onam festival (August-September) and first five days of every Malayalam month. Pampa  is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From Pampa it is just 8 Kms.  The State Buses reach Pampa and this is the easiest and most popular route. 

How to get there

Air : Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram and Nedumbassery airport at Kochi and from there by bus to Pampa.

Rail : The pilgrims can reach Kottayam & Chengannur by Railway (Broadgauage) and Punalur (Metre Gauge) and from there by bus to Pampa. Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla (102 km) Accommodation : There is a multistoried pilgrim complex and a few pilgrim sheds. A Government Hospital and Ayurvedic Hospital function during festival season and a dispensary is also there.