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Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala Western Ghat Kerala

Here is Some information about Sabarimala Temple in Western Ghat Kerala India.




Location:  Swamy Ayyappan Road, Pampa Triveni, Sabarimala, Kerala India
Dedicated to:Lord Ayyappa
Entry:Free
Photography:Allow
Temple Timing:6:00Am to 10:00Pm
Significance: Holy pilgrimage of the Hindus
Festivals: Makaravilakku or "Makar Sankranti" and Maha Vishuva Sankranti
Visiting Timing:30 Mins
Best time to Visit:Oct to March
Live Darshan: Click Here
Nearest Railway Station:Kottayam, Chengannur
Nearest Air Port: Thiruvananthapuram


About Sabarimala Temple





Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala.Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop (about 3000 feet above sea level) named Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district.The shrine of Sabarimala is one of the most remote shrines in southern India yet it still draws three to four million pilgrims each year. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.

This is one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. It is believed that the deity of the temple was consecrated by Lord Parasurama at the foot of Sabari hills for which reference has been made even in Ramayana. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh but also from other parts of country and abroad.

There is a Vavar Thara very close to. The deity is Vavar, the friend of Ayyappa and a Sufi saint is at the close proximity to the main temple. Ayyapa cult gifts much importance for secularism and communal harmony and has turned out to be a model for the whole world. Another significant aspect of the pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor, literate or illiterate are all equal before Lord Ayyapa and all of them address each other as Ayyappa or Swamy.

Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Lord Ayyapa meditated soon after killing the powerful demon, Mahishi. Another mythology says that its 'Parasurama Maharshi' who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe and installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala.

To enter the Sabarimala temple, the pilgrim has to pass Pathinettampadi (holy eighteen steps). The holly eighteen steps that lead to the shrine have been figuratively called Ponnu Pathinettampadi, 'Ponnu' being an epithet to denote the holy touch of lord's feet. But now 'Ponnu' has become literally true because the steps have been covered with Panchaloham. Each of these eighteen holy steps represents a desire one must conquer in life, it is believed. Only those who observe 41 day's of austerity as ritual can only carry erumudi and can climb these steps.


History Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple



There is no accurate history about how and when the pilgrimage to Sabarimala began.It is believed that the deity of the temple was conducted by Lord Parasurama at the foot of Sabari hills for which reference has been made even in Ramayana. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh but also from other parts of country and abroad.Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Lord Ayyapa meditated soon after killing the powerful demon, Mahishi. Another mythology says that its ‘Parasurama Maharshi’ who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe and installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala.History about the worshiping method of god is that there are five methods of workship like Shaivites, Shaktists and Vaishnavites. At first there are three devotees section -first one is Shakti who used meat, liquor and drugs to worship their deity, second the devotees of Vishnu who followed strict penance and continence, and last one the devotees of Shiva who partly followed these two methods.In 1950 unknown persons destroyed the temple by breaking the ‘Sri-kovil’ and the main idol of worship, and set fire to the temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1971 underwent a major revamping.

About Sabarimala Festival


Sabarimala is a well-known pilgrim center of Kerala. The temple observes an annual festival where hundreds of devotees come after observing complete abstinence from the worldly affairs. Sabarimala festival is celebrated from the month of November to mid January. During this time, Mandal Puja and Makar Sankranti Puja are the two main occasions when temple is visited by thousands of people. Makar Sankranti (14 Jan') is considered as the most propitious day of the pilgrimage. 

An amazing fact about Sabarimala Temple is that this shrine is open to people from all religions, castes, creed or color. The preponderance of pilgrims is made by men, who are required to observe fast for forty days. During this period, one needs to observe celibacy and undergoes daily prayer rituals. Young Girls, who have not yet attained the age of puberty and Women, who have reached the phase of menopause can attend the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. 

Before starting the journey, devotes take a ritual bath in the sacred river 'Pamba', which is assumed to wash away one's sins. Devotees carry packs enclosing contain conventional offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice on their heads. When they arrive at the temple steps, they break the coconut here and continue forward to get the glimpse of the Lord.


How to Rich Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala



By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is located 184 km away from the Ayyappa temple. Another one is Kochi International Airport is located 214 km away from the temple. From the respective bus stations pilgrimage can get buses to Pamba operated by KSRTC.

By Rail: The nearest railway Station to this famous temple is Chengannur which is located about 93 Km from Pamba. Chengannur is located in the main rail route between Trivandrum and Kottayamand is connected by rail to all other railway stations in India. People coming from rest of India or north Tamil Naidu can come via Train till Ernakulam or Kottayam or Kayamkulam or Mavelikkara or Chengannur Railway stations. Form there they can board buses to Pamba.

By Road:Pampa is the nearest place to Sabrimala from where the temple is just 5 Km away. Pampa can be accessed only by road. KSRTC operates various bus services to the temples from various cities of Kerala.KRSTC operates buses from tvm Central, Punalur, Kottarakkara, Chengannur, Kottayam, Erumely, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kumily and many more places . During pilgrimage season there are frequent bus services to Pamba by KSRTC.

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