Travel Information and Routes to Sabarimala

Many pilgrims contact the Web Master asking for instructions on what all temples should be visited enroute to Sabarimala.  There is no such mandated ritual. If you want to visit any temple enroute, please go ahead. Nevertheless, here are some famous temples on the pilgrimage route:

Guruvayoor Kshetram - It is believed that Bruhaspathi (Guru of the Devas) and Vayu Bhagwan (God of the Air) together had installed the idol at this temple. It is also believed that the idol is the same one which was earlier installed at 'Vaikuntam' by Maha Vishnu. The temple normally opens at 0300 hrs every morning. It remains open till the 'Ucha Pooja' is over and re-opens every evening at 1630 hrs to close for the night at 21215 hrs.

Mammiyur Kshetram - It is located half a km from Guruvayoor. Sivan, along with his consort Parvati is the idol. It is believed that for your wishes to come true while praying at Guruvayoor, you should also pray at Mammiyur Kshetram.

Chowvallur Siva Kshetram - The temple is located  three kms from Guruvayoor, on top of a hill at Chowvallur village. Sivan, along with his consort Parvati is the idol.

Thiruvenkatachalapathy Kshetram - The temple is located east of Guruvayoor  railway station amidst village aurroundings.

Thrissur Vadakum Natha Kshetram - This temple was built by Shaktan Thampuran. 'Ilanjithara Melam, which is a significant ritual of 'Thrissur Pooram' festival, is held at the courtyard of this temple. During the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu pooram, 'thekkotu erakkum' and 'Kudamattam' is held here. 'Theyyatm' is the traditional vazhipadu. The tempe opens at 0400 hrs. It closes at 1100 hrs and re-opens at 1700 hrs. It closes for the day at 2000 hrs.

Thirvullakukavu Dharam Sastha Kshetram-  The temple is located about 11 kms along the Thrissur - Irikalkuda route. 'Vidyarambham' is conducted on all days except during ' Mahanavami' and 'Meenom Attham' days.

Aarattupuzha Sastha Kshetram-  15 Kms n the Thrissur - Kodungaloor route is the busstop called 'Thevar road'. From there the temple is located about 2 kms to the east.  Ada, Nivedyam, Kadumpayasam, Kedavilakku etc are the famous offerings.

Thripayar Sri Rama Swamy Kshetram - The idol which got trapped in some fisherman's net and was brought up. As tper the rituals as mandated by 'jyothisham', this idol at this temple was installed by Naduvazhi Vaikkal Kaimal . Eakdasi during the month of December and , 'Makyiram Purappadu' just prior to Aarattupuzha Pooram are important events for the temple. Fish feed/meal, Niramala, Vedi Vazhipadu and Aval are the important offerings to the deity.

Chottanikara Kshetram - From Kochi via Tripunithara, the temple is located about 15 Kms. Kochi - Tripunithara is 11 kms. From Nirmalayam till ucha pooja the deity is worshipped as 'Saraswati Devi. After that the worship is for 'Saraswati Devi', Mahalakshmi and Durga. The important occasions are Trikarthika, Kubhom Makam, Vishu Vilakku, Navarathri and Mandala Makaravilakku. The temple is open from 0400 hrs to 1210 hrs. It is again open from 1600 to 2139 hrs. Further details can be viewed at http://www.templenet.com/Kerala/chotranik.html

Vaikkom Mahadeva Kshetram - This is an important temple on the pilgrimage route. 'Mahadeva' bears a relationship of 'pithru' to Ayyappa. The Asthami period which falls every year during November-Decemebr is the important period for this temple. Opening hours are 9399 to 1200 hrs and 1700 to 2000 hrs.

Ettumanoor Mahadeva Kshetram- This is a famous 'edathavalam' of Sannidhanam. The arrival of the 'ezhara ponnana' is of great importance. Temle hours 0300-1200 hrs and 1700 - 220 hrs. Famous offerings are Muzhukappu, Mrthunjayana homam, Ksheera dhara and rudrabhishekham.

Kottayam Thirunakkara Kshetram - Temple hours 0400 - 1100 hrs and 1700 - 2000 hrs.  Mahaganapati homam, dhara, muzhukappu, and paysam are important offerings.

Thodupuzha Sri Krishna Kshetram- Details being updated

Ambalapuzha Kshetram- Details being updated

Thiruvananthapuram Sri Padmanabha Swamy Kshetram- Details being updated

Kottarakara Ganapthi Kshetram- Details being updated

Oachira Parabrhama Kshetram- Details being updated

Aranmula Parthasarathy Kshteram- Details being updated

Malayalapuzha Bhgawati Kshetram- Details being updated

Palani Kshetram- Details being updated

Sucheendram Kshetram (on Thiruvananthapuram - Kanyakumari route)- Details being updated

Kanyakumari Kshetram- Details being updated

Madurai Meenakshi Kshetram- Details being updated
 

Changes in the names of some towns

Please Note`Thiruvananthapuram' is the new name for the capital of Kerala State in South India. The old name was the anglicised version `Trivandrum'. Similarly `Cochin' is now 'Kochi', `Alleppey' is `Alapuzha', `Calicut' is `Kozhikode', `Trichur' is `Thrissur'.                  

An Approximate Terrain Profile of the Trek from Erumeli to Pampa

Distance Chart : Erumeli - Pampa

Pampa to Sabarimala (Sannidhanam)

Nearest Airports

Nearby Towns

Nearest Railheads

Means of Conveyance

Routes to Travel

Approximate Road Distances

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation Bus Schedule to and from Pampa

Train Services from Chenganur - Northwards and Southwards

Approximate profile of the terrain - Erumeli to Pampa (Not to Scale)

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Distance Chart : Erumeli - Pampa

Erumeli - Kaalaketti - 11Kms

Kaalaketti - Azhutha - 2.5 Kms approx

Azhutha River - Pampa - 37 Kms approx

Peroor Thodu - Irumboonikara - 3 Kms (Forest starts from Irumbooni Kara)

Irumboonikara - Arasumdi Kotta - 3 Kms approx

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Pampa to Sabarimala (Sannidhanam)

Pampa - Neelimala - Appachimedu - Sabaripeedom - Sannidhanam (Approx 7 Kms)

Three steep ascents are Azhutha Nadi to Inchiparakotta, Kariyilam Thodu to Karimala (on Erumeli - Pampa route) and Pampa - Neelimala (on the 7 Kms stretch from Pampa to Sannidhanam).

It is possible that some pilgrims may have some ailment which has not been detected so far. This is especially so in the case of middle aged and elderly pilgrims. This could lead to severe problems during the ascent up the steep slopes. As a precaution against undue cardiac stress (especially in the case of elderly pilgrims), it is advisable to rest frequently while negotiating  steep slopes. In case of any chest pain, breathlessness, discomfort etc, please contact the nearest Cardiac Care Centres which have been established by ABASS.

In the month of December 2000, a top class Cardiac Care Centre has been inaugurated at the Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham auditorium by the  Apollo Hospital Group. The centre is manned by 10 fully qualified doctors and 7 assistants. We are thankful to Apollo Hospital and Healthcare group for this humanitarian gesture.

The Appachimedu Cardiac Care Centre continues to be operated by ABASS.

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Nearest Airports

Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum) is located at

0809 N 7655 E

Kochi( aka Cochin) is located at 095638N 761623E. Please note that the airport is not the old Naval Airport (Old Naval Airport is no more available for civilian operations). The new international airport is at Nedumbassery which is nearly 30 kms away from the city.

Kozhikode(aka Calicut) is located at 1108 N 7557 E

Air India, Indian Airlines, Alliance Air, Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Air India, Air Lanka, Gulf Air, Silk Air and many leading foreign airlines operate to/from these airports.

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Nearby Towns

(Where one could establish a base camp, rest and then proceed to Sabarimala)

Pampa is the closest `base camp'. But it tends to get overcrowded (during prime seasons) and has inherent shortage of built up living accommodation. The other nearby towns are:-

Changanacherry
Chengannur
Erumeli
Kochi
Kottayam
Mavelikara
Pathanamthitta
Ranni
Vaikom

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Nearest Railheads

A large number of trains operate along Kochi - Alapuzha - Kollam route and Kochi - Kottayam - Kollam - Thiruvananthapuram route. These trains pass through or close to most of the towns mentioned above and one could disembark at any of these railway stations. During pilgrimage seasons, ABASS camps are established at most of these railway stations. Please approach them for guidance on further travel.

As the train schedules keep changing on a seasonal basis, it is essential to check with the railway authorities to find out the exact timings. Alternately, you can visit http://www.southernrailway.org/ to search and book your tickets.

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Means of Conveyance

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operates regular bus services, from all important towns of Kerala  to Pampa and Erumeli throughout the year. The number of trips are well augmented during the pilgrim season. Private taxis, utility vehicles and mini buses are also available for hire from any point en-route.

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Routes to Travel

Typical Routes followed by pilgrims

Pampa

Kottayam - Pampa (via Erumeli) - 136 Kms
Kottayam- Pampa (via Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta) - 123 Kms
Kottayam - Pmapa (via Manimala) - 116 Kms
Trivandrum - Pampa (via Kottarakara, Adoor, Pathanamthitta) - 188 Kms
Trivandrum - Pampa (via Punalur, Pathanamthitta)- 180 Kms
Adoor - Pampa (via Pathanamthitta) - 101 Kms
Punalur - Pampa (via Pathanamthitta) - 101 Kms
Chengannur - Pampa - 93 Kms
Ernakulam - Pampa(via Kottayam) - 200 Kms
Alapuzha - Pampa (via Changanacherry) - 137 Kms
Pandalam - Pampa (via Pathanamthitta) - 86 Kms
Uppupara - Sabarimala (trekking route only) - 4 Kms

Erumeli

Erumeli - Pampa (via Kalaketty, Azhutha, Karimala) - by foot - 40 Kms
Erumeli - Pampa (via Mukkottuthara, Pambavali) - 46 Kms
Erumeli - Pampa (via Athikkayam, Perunandu) - 78 Kms
Pathanamthitta - Erumeli (via Ranni) - 32 Kms
Panadalam - Erumeli (via Pathanamthitta) - 48 Kms

From Erumeli, the pilgrim can, if he so wishes , trek on foot along the forests to reach Pampa. The trekking distance from Erumeli to Pampa is 43 Kms. The route is via Peroorthodu, Irumbunnikara, Arasumudikotta, Kaalaketti, Azhutha, Azhutha River, Kallidum Kunnu, Inchipara, Mukkuzhi, Kariyilam Thodu, Karimala, Valiyana Thavalam, Cheriyana Thavalam, Pampa.                              

The route from Pampa to Sabarimala (approx 6 kms) can be undertaken only on foot. as this portion of the route is unfit for vehicular traffic. The various road routes available to Pampa are:-

Erumeli - Karimkulumoozhi - Ranni - Perinad - Vadaserikara - Plapalli- Chalakayam - Pampa.
Erumeli - Karimkulumoozhi - Muktuthara - Kanamala - Thulapalli - Plapalli - Chalakayam - Pampa (This route is not commonly used by pilgrims because it is narrow and winding)

Another route sometimes followed by pilgrims coming from Tamilnadu is via Kottayam - Kumali (KK) road. When they reach Vanchiperiyar on the KK Road, they turn to Uppupara. After reaching Uppupara, they have to walk 6 Kms to Sabarimala.

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Approximate Road Distances

Any inadvertent or factual errors may please be pointed out to gensecy@saranamayyappa.org

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Due to lack of up-to-date consolidated details and frequent changes in bus schedules, these timings and ticket fares have been taken from a previous year's schedule and is meant to provide  rough guidelines only. They are liable to changes frequently and hence outdated. Please ascertain the correct data on your arrival in Kerala.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation Bus Schedule - Permanent Services  From Pampa irrespective of pilgrimage season

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation additional Services from Pampa during the period 1st to 5th of each Malayalam calendar month (When the temple is open)

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus services to Pampa from other bus stations

Bus Charges  from Pampa

Train Services from Chenganur - Northwards and Southwards

Nearest railway stations - Kottayma (+91-481-2563635), Chengannur (+91-479-2452340).
Pampa Railway Counter - +91-4735-203605

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