Sabarimala

Sabarimala is one of the most famous Pilgrimage centres in South India. Sabarimala is about 65 km from Pathanamthitta. The very famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is situated on Neelimala in the deep forests, on the banks of River Pamba.

Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. All the men can visit this temple with out the consideration of caste, creed, position or social status. Sabarimala Dharmasastha temple is one of most visited temple in the entire India.

Hari-Hara puthran (Son of Lord Vishnu and Siva) Ayyappan is the presiding deity here. The legend is that Lord Vishnu transformed himself into the woman form 'Mohini' to get 'Amrith' from the Asuras, who took it away from the Devas. Lord Siva became attracted to Mohini and thus born Hari Hara puthran with a bell round his neck. So he was named 'Manikantan' by the Pandalam Raja, Rajshekhara Pandya who got the baby from the jungles. Manikantan was born to kill the Asura woman Mahishi who conquered the Heavens.

Manikantan lived in the Pandalam Kingdom for some years before he killed Mahishi. He befriended with Vavar, a Muslim warrior. Later Manikantan asked King of Pandalam to build a temple for him at Sabarimala. Manikantan is at Sabarimala temple at Lord Ayyappa. Idol of Ayyappa was carved by Parasurama and was installed at the Sabarimala temple on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranthi.

The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. Lakhs of Pilgrims from all parts of India and from the rest of the world visit this sacred place every year during the Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku Festivals. The temple is open only to males and to women who have either reached menopause and those before reaching the stage of puberty.

The easiest route is via Chalakkayam, by which one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.

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