Interesting Miscellaneous Asides From Sabarimala and Surroundings

Approximate number of pilgrims who have visited Sabarimala during the past three years:-

Out of the total figure, 65 % are from the neighbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the remaining 35 % are from Kerala and other States. . 7 % of pilgrims are Muslims and 5 % are Christians.

Cash Tally

The money offered by the pilgrims comes in all denominations. The number of coins offered pose a huge problem in terms of counting. Coins of the value of 5 paise to 25 paise are not even counted as there are huge quantities. Instead they are weighed. The weighing tally is as follows:-

2 Kgs of	5 paise	coins	= Rs 033.35
1 Kg of	big 10 paise	coins	= Rs 043.00
1 Kg of	small 10 paise	coins	= Rs 057.00
1 Kg of	steel 10 paise	coins	= Rs 052.00
1 Kg of	steel 20 paise	coins	= Rs 091.00
1 Kg of	nickel 25 paise	coins	= Rs100.00
1 Kg of	steel 25 paise	coins	= Rs 090.00

Coins of denominations 50 paise, one rupee, five rupees, etc are counted in bulks of 2000 and verified. There are 220 employees employed full time for this counting and verification operation in the Devaswom treasury. Dhanalakshmi Bank authorities are also co-located in the treasury and they take over the amount on counting and verification.

The Amazing Old Lady `Pattiyama' - More than 500 Visits to Sabarimala

Trekking through dense forests, Pattiyama, aged 97, has been visiting Sabarimala over the last 44 years. Pattiyama makes it a point to visit the temple not only during the peak season of Mandala Pooja and Makara Vilakku, but also on other occasions when the temple opens for pooja i.e. first day of malayalam months, Onam, Vishu etc, Hailing from Andipady in Madurai district, Pattiyama travels along the forest path from Andipady to Sannidhanam via Vallamkadavu, Uppupara, Poonakavanam and Pandithavalam covering a distance of 29 kms all alone.

Pattiyama exhibits a lot of courage. Most of the times she travels alone along the lonely and dangerous forest trails, Her eternal trust in and devotion to Lord Ayyappa, she says, gives her the bodily sustenance and mental courage to do this. Over the last 40 years, carrying her Irumudi Kettu, she has climbed the `Pathinettam Padi' more than 500 times. The divine protection she enjoys, she says, has been evident to her many times when she needed it most.

Many years back, during her pilgrimage, she was caught in the midst of a severe storm. Heavy rain and fierce winds forced her to take shelter under a tree in the thick forest. Drenched to the skin and not knowing what course of action to follow, all she could do was pray to Ayyappa. By the time the storm subsided, it was pitch dark. She elected to continue her trek in the dark. After travelling some distance, she realised that she had lost her way. Again chanting `Saranam Ayyappa' she took refuge under a tree. All of a sudden, she saw a human form coming towards her. It was a woman pilgrim heading towards her. Without exchanging any words, the visitor guided Pattiyama to the correct path, carefully traversing treacherous and slippery mountain slopes. All of a sudden, Pattiyama found herself at Sannidhanam. Awe struck and lost in devotion, she turned to thank the stranger who had guided her. There was no one to be seen anywhere nearby. Pattiyama is convinced that it was none but the Lord who had come to her rescue.