Sabarimala (Malayalam:) is a pilgrim centre in Kerala in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of India. Lord Ayyappan's temple is situated here in the midst of 18 hills. The area is in the Sahya hilly regions of Kerala bordering Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 1260 m/4135 ft. above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples existed in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, and Karimala, remnants of old temples are visible in the remaining hills. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demon,
How to Reach Sabrimala
From the international airport of Thiruvananthapuram (erstwhile Trivandrum), Sabarimala is located at 010 degrees/175 km. Similarly, from the international airport at Kochi (formerly Cochin) it is located at 118 degrees/200 km.
During respective seasons one can approach the shrine using various modes of transportation via either Chalakayam town or more intensively through the mountain trails commencing from Erumeli Township and climbing over the Karimala Mountains bare foot (close to 50 km). The nearest railway stations to Sabarimala are Kottayam and Chengannur (93 km).
Three important routes to Sabarimala are :
1.Kottayam to Pampa (via) Erumeli and from Pampa to Sabarimala (the latter by foot) - 136 km Kottayam to Pampa (via) Manimala and there to Sabarimala by foot - 116 km.
2.Erumeli to Sabarimala (via) Kalaketty, Azhutha, Inchippara, Karimala, Pampa - 45 km. From Pampa to Sabarimala by foot.
3.Vandiperiyar to Mount Estate by vehicle and there by walking to Sabarimala.
4.Climb down to Sabarimala from Vandiperiyar to Kozhikkanam - 15 km. Kozhikkanam to Uppupura - 10 km. Uppupura to Sabarimala - 3.5 km. (Up to Uppupura, vehicles can be used for the travel.)
Vehicular traffic cannot go beyond Pampa, situated on the Pampa river valley and the last five kilometres to the shrine can be best reached by trekking. However, porter carried chairs are also available for aged and handicapped pilgrims
When to Go
Throughout the year, monthly poojas are held at the temple, usually during the first week of each Malayalam month. The shrine is open only for the first five days of each month and for the pilgrimage season, between mid-November and mid-January.
