SABARIMALA AYYAPPA TEMPLE | PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO SABARIMALA

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About Sabarimala

Country: India | State: Kerala

#17 of 24 Places to visit in Kerala | #45 of 100 Places to visit in India

Ideal Trip Duration: Full Day

Nearest City to Sabarimala: Kochi (158 Kms), Trivandrum (178 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Sabarimala: November to January

Peak Season: November to January

At a distance of 70 km from Pathanamthitta, 158 km from Kochi, and 178 km from Trivandrum, Sabarimala is a revered Hindu shrine located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It is one of the famous places pilgrimage in India, and among the must-include places in Kerala tour packages.

Dedicated Lord Ayyappan, Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is one of the oldest temples in India, with a history of more than 5000 years old. It is one of the most visited pilgrim centers in the world with an estimated 45 - 50 million devotees every year. The temple is situated amid 18 hills, at an altitude of about 3000 feet. It is believed that Lord Parasurama installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala.

The pilgrimage season begins in November and ends in January (the temple remains closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of each Malayalam month). The devotees following Ayyappa Vratam (Ayyappa Maala - a 41 days Vratam with strict restrictions) carry Irumudi Kettu containing traditional offerings to the Lord. Mandalapooja (Nov17th) and Makaravilakku (Jan 14th) are the important events of the temple. Makara Jyothi (a celestial star) appeared on Jan 14th is the most crowded occasion of this temple that one must not miss as part of Sabarimala tour packages.

Sabarimala temple has no restrictions on caste and religion. The temple is open to males of all age groups, but women between 10-50 years of age group are NOT allowed into the temple. Pamba, Erumeli, Pandalam, and Malikappurathu Amma Temple are the other prominent places to visit in Sabarimala. Sabarimala can be reached by an 8 km trek from Pamba, which is the nearest road point to the temple.

Booking of Sabarimala Virtual Q Coupon opened on 11th January 2017. Sabarimala Virtual Q helps devotees to reach Sannidhanam without waiting in the long queue usually formed at Pampa. Pilgrims can book a slot in the queue for darshan using the Virtual Q website, sabarimalaq.com, which was developed by Kerala Police to facilitate the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

Sabarimala Temple Opening dates for 2016:

Makaravilakku Day - 15/01/2016

Feb 2016 - 13/02/2016 to 18/02/2016
Mar 2016 - 13/03/2016 to 18/03/2016 (Pooja), 13/03/2016 to 23/03/2016 (Utsavam)
Apr 2016 - 10/04/2016 to 18/04/2016
May 2016 - 14/05/2016 to 19/05/2016
Jun 2016 - 13/06/2016 to 19/06/2016
Jul 2016 - 15/07/2016 to 20/07/2016
Aug 2016 - 16/08/2016 to 21/08/2016
Sep 2016 - 13/09/2016 to 16/09/2016 (Onam), 16/09/2016 to 21/09/2016 (Monthly Pooja)
Oct 2016 - 16/10/2016 to 21/10/2016 (Monthly Pooja), 29/10/2016 to 30/10/2016 (Sree Chithra Atta Thirunal)
Nov 2016 & Dec 2016 - 15/11/2016 to 26/12/2016 (Mandala Pooja Mahotsavam)
Makara Vilakku Mahotsavam - 30/12/2016 20/01/2017

Temple Timings:

Nov to Jan : 4 AM to 1:30 PM & 4 PM to 11 PM
Other months: 5 PM to 10 PM

Other Info

Internet Availability: Internet Not Available

STD Code: 04735

Languages Spoken: Malayalam, Tamil , Hindi & English

Major Festivals: Mandalapooja (Nov17),
Makara Sankranthi (Jan 14)

Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Sabarimala

By Air

Nearest Airport: Kochi - Cochin International Airport (137 Kms)

Direct Flights to Kochi

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Chengannur Railway Station (75 Kms)
Kottayam Railway Station (85 Kms)

Direct Trains to Chengannur, Kottayam

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Pamba Bus Station (8 Kms)

Direct Buses to Sabarimala

Distance Chart

Distance Chart & Driving Directions to Sabarimala

How to Reach Sabarimala - Full Details

Top 10 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

Ayyappa Temple

#1 of 6 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

At a distance of 8 km from Pamba, 158 km from Kochi, and 178 km from Trivandrum, Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It is one of the oldest temples in India, with a history of more than 5000 years old, and among the most famous pilgrimage sites near Kochi.

Also known as Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Sabarimala temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, who according to belief is the son of Shiva and Mohini, the feminine incarnation of Vishnu. The temple is situated on a hilltop named Sabarimala at an altitude of 3000 feet. It is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The traditions of Sabarimala are a confluence of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and other �ramaṇa traditions.

The shrine of Sabarimala is an ancient temple. It is believed that the prince of the Pandalam dynasty, an .....

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Malikappurathu Amma Temple

#2 of 6 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

At a distance of just 100 meters from the main temple of Sabarimala, Malikappurathu Amma Temple (also known as Malikapuram Temple) is a holy temple dedicated to Malikappurathu.

According to Puranas, The Raja of Pandalam sent Ayyappa to a famous martial arts school during his childhood. Lord Ayyappa has mastered all martial arts during this period. The young daughter of Ayyappa's martial arts teach fell in love with Ayyappa. She requested Lord Ayyappa to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan intended to be a bachelor and offered here a seat at Sabarimala, and she came be known as Malikappurathu Amma. Ayyappan promised her that, if there is no Kanni Ayyappan (First time pilgrims) visiting Sabarimala any year then he would marry her. It is a custom that every Kanni Ayyappan deposits Saram (arrow of soft wood) as a mark of their arrival.

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Pamba

#3 of 6 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

At a distance of 8 Kms from Sabarimala & 55 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Pamba is the base station and nearest road point to Sabarimala Temple. Pamba is a beautiful location and a good trekking destination.

Pamba derives its name from Pamba River (also known as Pampa River) which flows through this scenic place. Pamba is also called Thriveni Sangam as it is the meeting point for three rivers - Pamba, Achankovil & Manimala. Pilgrims visiting Sabarimala take a dip in the river here before and after trekking the hill.

Maha Ganapathy Temple is also a famous place to visit in Pamba. It can be reached by climbing about 120 steps from the Thriveni Sangam point.

Pamba is connected by bus with Pathanamthitta.

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Erumeli

#4 of 6 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

At a distance of 28 km from Pamba & 58 km from Kumarakom, Erumeli or Erumely is a panchayat in the Kottayam district of Kerala. Situated on the banks of Manimala River, it is one of the famous sightseeing places in Sabarimala.

Erumeli is situated on the way to Sabarimala and is an important halting place for the Sabarimala pilgrims. This place has strong roots in legends and myths associated with Lord Ayyappa. The name Erumely is derived from Erumakolli ('killed the buffalo'). Acoording to mythology, Lord Ayyappa killed 'Eruma' in this place on the way to collect a tiger's milk. 'Eruma' means buffalo in Malayalam and hence the name extract 'erumakolli'.

Erumely is the gateway to Sabarimala. One of the important temples at Erumely is Sree Dharmashastha temple. Vavar masjid is also located very near to Sree Dharmashastha temple. Vavarambalam mosque is dedicated to Vavar, the companion of the deity .....

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Pandalam, Near Pathanamthitta

#5 of 6 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

At a distance of 16 Kms from Pathanamthitta & 40 Kms from Sabarimala, Pandalam is a holy town as it is the birth place of Lord Ayappa in human form. Pandalam is famous for Sri Ayyappa Temple, Pandalam Palace & Pattupurukavu Temple.

Sri Ayyappa Temple:
Also known as Valiyakoikal Temple, it was built in the similar lines of Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. Makaravilaku is the major festival celebrated at this temple in mid January. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

Pandalam Palace:
This is the place where Lord Ayyappa has grown up during his childhood. It is located adjacent to Ayyappa temple.

Pattupurukavu Devi Temple:
At a distance of about half Km from Ayyappa Temple, it is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. Annual festival is celebrated on .....

Distance (From Sabarimala): 33 Kms
Trip Duration (From Sabarimala - Including Travel): 2 Hours
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Pathanamthitta

#6 of 6 Places to Visit in Sabarimala

At a distance of 62 km from Kottayam, 67 km from Alleppey, 96 km from Tenkasi, 109 km from Trivandrum, 119 km from Kochi, 162 km from Tirunelveli, 197 km from Kanyakumari, and 238 km from Madurai, Pathanamthitta is a beautiful town and the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Also known as the pilgrim capital of Kerala, Pathanamthitta is the main transport hub to the famous pilgrim center - Sabarimala and also one of the popular places to visit in Kerala.

It is situated in the central Travancore region of Kerala, close to the Western Ghats. Pathanamthitta town is located on the banks of Achankovil and three major rivers of Kerala - Achankovil, Pamba & Manimala flow through the district. Pathanamthitta is a combination of two words Pathanam and Thitta which means an array of houses on the riverside. It is one of the famous places to visit near Kochi.

Pathanamthitta .....

Distance (From Sabarimala): 55 Kms
Trip Duration (From Sabarimala - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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