Pilgrimages To Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a pilgrim centre in Kerala in the western Ghat mountain ranges of India, Lord Ayyappan`s temple is situated here in the midst of 18 hills. The area is in the sahya hilly regions of Kerala bordering Tail Nade.

The temple is situates on hilltop at an altitude of 1260 m/4135 ft. above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples existed in each of the hills surrounding sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, and Karimala, remnants of old temples are visible in the remaining hills. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demon, Mahishi. Sabarimala is one of the most visited pilgrim centres in the world with crores of devotees coming every year. The world`s second largest annual pilgrimage, after Haj in Mecca, is reported to be to Sabarimala

How to reach Sabarimala

Three important routes to sabarimala are

1. Kottayam to Pamba (via) Erumeli and from Pampa to Sabarimala (the latter by foot)136 kms Kottayam to Pampa (via) Manimala and there to Sabarimala by foot - 116 km
2. Erumeli to Sabarimala (via) Kalaketty, Azhutha, Inchippara, Karimala, Pampa - 45 km from Pampa to Sabarimala by foot.
3. Vandiperiyar to Mount Estate by vehicle and there by walking to Sabarimala.
4. Climb down to sabarimala from Vandiperiyar to Kozhikkanam - 15 km. Kozhikkanam to Uppupura - 10km Uppupura to Sabarimala - 3.5 km. (up to Uppupura, vehicles can be used for the travel.)
   
   Vehicular traffic cannot go beyond Pampa.

Season

The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims 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 Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku in January are the main two main events of the pilgrim : temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam during Vishnu (April).

Certain customs are to be striclty observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimal attending the Mandapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrimage abstain himself from non - vegetarian habits and cardinal pleasures.

Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi keth traditional offerings. Unlike certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste . Temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age before reaching the stage of puberty.