Sabarimala Pilgrimmage

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Sabarimala (468 m) is a major Hindu pilgrim centre in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Pampa is 100 km away from Kottayam/ Chengannur railway station. A dip at the holy river Pampa starts the pilgrimage. A 5 km steep climb takes one to Sabarimala temple on top of the hill. The Makaravilakku festival is held on 14 Jan 2015. During the 41 day Sabarimala festival season in 2014-15, Rs 203 Crore was the Revenue.



Sabarimala pilgrims wear black dress and are known as ayyappas. Irumudi is a two compartment cloth bag carried by pilgrims on their head. Devotees perform 41 day penance of no drinks, no meat & no sex before climbing the holy hill. Devout climb the hill bare footed chanting 'swamiye saranam ayyappa'. The 18 gold plated steps called 'pathinettampadi' leads to the temple. Women at the age 10 to 50 are not permitted in Sabarimala. Aravana payasam and Appam are the main Prasadams in Sabarimala. At 11 pm, the temple closes with Harivarasanam song (recorded) sung by Dr. KJ Yesudas.



Dr. Vijay Mallya gold plated the roof of Sabarimala Swami Ayyappa shrine (with 1900 kg of copper and plated with 32 kg of gold) at a cost of Rs 18 Crore in 2011.

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Pullumedu route from Vandiperiyar is a traditional forest route of the Sabarimala pilgrims. This is preferred by pilgrims from Tamil Nadu due to it's easy access. From Vandiperiyar, jeep is available up to Sathram during the pilgrim season. From there pilgrims have to make a 5 km plain walk to reach Pullumedu. Then proceed to the wireless station and climb down the hill to reach Sabarimala.

From Sabarimala, climb the hill through dense forest infested with wild elephants to Pullumedu (3 hour). A further 2 hour walk takes one to Sathram from where Jeep is available to Vandiperiyar (on Mundakayam - Kumily highway).