Oktatabyebye

Backwaters are what come to mind when we think Kerala - the God's Own Country. But in addition to its beautiful backwaters, Kerala is home to few popular pilgrimage destinations. Sabarimala Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is certainly one of the popular pilgrimage sites Kerala. Located at an altitude of 914 m above sea level in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats, the Sabarimala Temple is the most prominent of all the Sastha Temples in India. The temple is accessible on foot from Pamba, which is 4 km away. The Temple wears a festive look during the main pilgrim season from November to January when thousands of pilgrims from different parts of world and India descend to this small town located some 72 km from Pathanamthitta.

A traditional pilgrimage to Sabarimala is not a cake walk. During the pilgrimage, one needs to adhere to the customs strictly. He has to observe vows for 41 days (after the Ayyappan Mala Mantram - a ritual in which a garland has to be worn, to be removed after the pilgrimage) during that period he has to refrain himself from non- vegetarian habits and carnal pleasures, wake up early, bathe, perform puja and lead a pious life. Then they have to set out in groups under the guidance of a Guru swami with each one carrying a bag called the 'Irumudikkettu'. This bag contains the puja articles and other offerings to be made to the deities at Sabarimala. Only then will they be allowed to enter the holy 'Pathinettampadi', the 18 Divine Steps to the shrine. Those who cross all these steps are believed to reach 'Punyadarshan'.

There are a number of routes that can be taken to Sabarimala. The traditional and longer one is via Erumeli, from here pilgrims trek on foot for about 18 km through the dense forests to reach to  Pamba. It takes about two days. Another route is about 10 km long and is usually taken by those coming into Kerala from Tamil Nadu through Vandiperiyar. The other easy and quick route is to drive straight to Pamba and from there trek to the Sabarimala Temple is 6 km.

The Temple of Lord Ayyappa
The Temple of Lord Ayyappa, built on a 40 feet high plateau, commands an impressive view of the mountains and valleys around. The temple comprises of a sanctum sanctorum with a copper-plated roof and four golden finials at the top, two mandapams, the belikalpura which houses the altar, and the flag-staff. The sanctum sanctorum houses the one and a half feet tall idol of Lord Ayyappa which is carved out of panch dhaatu-an alloy of five metals.

One of the highlights of  Lord Ayyappa Temple is the 18-step stairs (holy Patinettampadi) that lead to the temple. It is said that no one can climb the steps until they had fasted for 41 days and had carried the holy Irrumudi on head. These 18 steps are considered by some as representing the 18 puranas, while most say they represent the 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappa killed Mahishi.

There is another believe as well, which says the first five steps denotes the indriyas (senses -eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin); the next eight signifies the ragas (tatwa, kama, krodha, moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara; the next three steps signifies the gunas (virtues- satwa, rajas and thamas) while the seventeenth and the eighteenth denotes vidhya and ignorance. It is said that crossing these steps will take the devotee closer to self-realisation.

About Sabarimala: Sabarimala Information & Fact File

Altitude  914 meters Temp Summer 32 (Max) & 22 (Min) Degrees Celsius Winter 28 (Max) & 18 (Min) Degrees Celsius Best time to Go November – January Monsoon June-September Summer March – June Winter December – January Clothes Cottons all year round Nearest Airport Thiruvananthapuram, 175 km Nearest Railway Station Thiruvalla, 102 km Bus Station Pamba (5km) – Direct buses from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram Hospital & Doctor Thiruvananthapuram (175 km) is the nearest city with proper medical infrastructure. Places to see Lord Ayyappa Temple, Pathanamthitta, St. Thomas Apostle…