Sabarimala temple is the largest pilgrimage destination in the world. This Kerala pilgrim centre has the deity Lord Ayyappa/ Manikandan. This article covers details regarding the legend, location, access, accommodation, austere and other attractions in Sabarimala temple.
Sabarimala temple
Nested high in the Sahyadri Mountains, Sabarimala is the best known pilgrimage destination in 'God's own country'. The main deity in Sabarimala temple is Lord Ayyappa. This is a unique temple in the land of Kerala where you can enter without thinking of your religion, caste and creed. Sabarimala is one of the highly crowded pilgrimage centre in the world with more than 50 million pilgrims per year. The flow of devotees have been increasing in each and every year to this temple and this denotes the importance of Sabarimala even in the modern world of micro and macro science.
Legend of Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala temple has the stories of Pandya dynasty and Lord Ayyappa to tell. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa is an an embodiment of both Siva and Vishnu. And Panthalam King, Rajshekhara, got him from forest when he was a child. They named him Manikandan. Later Ayyappa killed the Mahishi on his way to take tigress's milk for his mother. After fulfilling his life's vision, Manikandan, itself choose the place where he would stay in the future. He aimed his arrow to the dense vegetation of Sahyadri hills. The place where his arrows landed is now the largest pilgrimage centre in the world, Sabarimala Temple.
How To Reach Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala temple is located in Nonsympathizer district of Kerala. Nowadays there are many transport services available for you to reach Sabarimala. The Thiruvananthapuram International airport and the Cochin International airport are the nearest airports for those who want to reach here by air. The former is 200km and the later is about 170 km from Sabarimala. Chengannur railway station is the nearest railway station. It is only 100 km from Sabarimala. You can also use other nearby railway stations like Kottayam, Quilon etc. But you can't reach Sabarimala by train or aeroplane only. Bus services and taxi services are available for you from these points to the temple. KSRTC buses are having frequent services from the nearby towns to Pampa. There are other tourist buses, which conduct pilgrimage to Sabarimala. There are bus services from nearby states like Tamil Nadu, Karnatake and Andhra Pradesh. But, the motor vehicles are allowed only upto Pampa.
From Pampa onwards, pilgrims have to undertake trekking through the forest to see the deity Ayyappa. There are mainly three trekking paths available for you. One is the 6 km uphill from Pampa. It will take a minimum of three hours to reach Sabarimala. But when the crowd increases, it may extend upto 10 hours or more. This is the best route as it is having concrete slopes and small hilly terrains compare to other routes. The trekking route Uppupara- Sabarimala is used by those who are coming from Vandiperiyar side. It's only a four km route, but will take more time than the previous one. The Erumali- Pampa- Sabarimala trekking path is the longest among the three with a distance of more than 50 km. If you like adventure very much, this is the best one to travel. The trekking through the hilly terrains, amidst the dense forest will be a new experience to your life.
What to do before coming to Sabarimala.
Sabarimala is not a pilgrim centre where each and everybody can go. There should be certain rigorous penance and austere living before starting on the pilgrimage by the pilgrims. The 41 days of rigorous fasting, celibacy, meditation and prayer are compulsory for all. You have to wear black 'dhotis' during your pilgrimage. Nowadays other single coloured 'dhotis' are also permitted. Then all the pilgrims should carry the Irumudi Kettu (twin sacked sacred pouch ) on their head to the temple. It contains coconuts, in which some are filled with ghee and to be broken near the 18 steps to the temple.Women from age 10 to 50 are not allowed to enter inside Sabarimala temple. They can have a their pilgrimage upto Pampa only.
What to see in Sabarimala
What more you need when you are getting to the largest pilgrimage centre in the world? Sabarimala temple will be the most fascinating feature that attracts you. The idol of Lord Ayyappa is really beautiful. You will be getting only short time to pray in front of Ayyappa. The idol is made completely in gold.
When you reach the temple, there is an important message from the Lord Ayyappa. The message is Tat Tvam Asi in Sanskrit meaning "That is you". It means you itself is the God. This is the greatest knowledge that you will learn from Sabarimala temple.
The 'Pathinettam padi' (18 steps) is another attraction. There is some story behind these eighteen steps. It is believed that each steps correspond Five Indriyas, Eight Ragas, Three Gunas and Vidya and Avidya. The climbing of these gold covered eighteen steps will reach you to the ultimate truth and vision of life.
And if you are luck enough to visit the temple during 'Makara Vilakku', you will get chance to see the light from the dense forests of north-east horizon. 'Makara Vilakku' is the greatest event in Sabarimala lasting for seven days. This is the time in which Sabarimala is highly crowded with the devotees.
The old religious harmony between the people is evident from Sabarimala also. There is a Muslim shrine in Sabarimala. This is built to represent Vavar, who is believed to be Manikandan's friend. And every devotee has to visit the mosque before going to Sabarimala temple.
Apart from Lord Ayyappa's deity, there are other small temples in Sabarimala like Malikapurathamma temple. The holy trekking through the dense forest, the bathing in holy Pampa river, Aazhi Pooja and the Palace of old Panthalam dyanasty are other main attractions during your visit to Sabarimala. Some of the devotees are even taking their pilgrimage simply by walking from their home itself.
Pilgrimage time and Accommodation in Sabarimala.
You can't visit Sabarimala temple throughout the year. There are certain important times in a year, in which you can have pilgrimage to the temple. The longest opening is during the months of November to December. Other small openings are the first day of Malayalam calender, Makaravilakku festivel day, Vishu, Onam etc.
There are no large resorts and hotels in Sabarimala as this is a pilgrimage centre. There are small places available for you to sleep and stay in Pampa, Sabarimala and nearby towns. For food, there are small hotels in both Pampa and Sabarimala.
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