Sabarimala, Major Pilgrimage Center of Kerala, World Famous Sabarimala Temple, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India

History, Best Places to Visit and Travel Guide of Sabarimala, Kerala, India

Sabarimala, one of the major pilgrimage destination of Kerala and South India is located inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, on bank of River Pampa in Pathanamthitta district. The world famous Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple of Lord Ayyappa, located on hilltop and in dense forest is one of the most prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala where every year more than 40 million pilgrim visit. Sabarimala temple is believed as highly sacred site for Hindu and also popular for its unique traditional practices. Temple is not open throughout the year, it is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja around November to December, Makaravilakku around in January, Vishu and on first day of every Malayalam month. Devotees observe strict fast and rules for 41 days before visit of Sabarimala. The unique traditional practices, rituals, measures and dress codes must be followed while you visits Sabarimala. Pilgrims needs to wear black rudraksha beads around their neck, dress in black or blue mundus/dhotis and refrain from the intake of non-vegetarian food and alcohol.

Along with the main shrine of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, there are other important holy shrine located in nearby area which includes Malikkapuram Devi Temple, Vavar Shrine, Pampa Ganpati Temple etc.

As per the religious text of Sanatan Dharma, it is believed that the Shasta temple at Sabarimala is one of the five Shasta temples founded by Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

How to Reach Sabarimala, Ayyappa Temple, Kerala, India

Sabarimala being one of the major pilgrimage site of Kerala and South India, thus it is very well connected with all major cities of India. Lord Ayyappa Temple of Sabarimala, the hill shrine is located in a forest in Pathanamthitta. The Sabarimala temple is located on a hilltop at height of approx. 1535 ft above sea level and amidst in lush green mountains and dense forests. Vehicles are allowed up to Pamba which is 5 km from Sabarimala from where devotee has to reach on foot. Sabarimala is situated 72 km from Pathanamthitta town, 200 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 km from Kochi. The traditional route to Sabarimala is from Erumeli around at 40 km. Other routes are from Vandiperiyar, Kottayam, Adoor, Uppupara and Chalakkayam. These routes are famous for these scenic splendor and mythological value.

There is no direct railway for Sabarimala but nearest railhead is at Kottayam, Ernakulam and Chengannur. The Nearby airports from Sabarimala are at Trivandrum and Kochi. Pampa is the nearest place to Sabarimala that can be accessed only by road. Sabarimala is about 5 kms away from Pamba. As most of the pilgrims visit Sabarimala via road thus state transport and private vehicles are available to reach Sabarimala via several cities like Coimbatore, Palani and Thenkasi from Pampa for the convenience of Sabarimala pilgrims. Along with Kerala, government of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has also supported to operate buses to Pamba.

Taluka / Tehsil: Ranni, District: Pathanamthitta, State: kerala, Country: india.

Religious Importance: Hindu

How to Reach Sabarimala

Key Contact of Sabarimala