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Travel Information and Routes to Sabarimala

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)

 

1. Erumeli 2. Peroor Thodu 3. Irumboonni Kara 4. Arasumudi Kotta
5. Kaalaketi 6. Azhutha 7. Azhutha Nadi 8. Kallidum Kunnu
9. Inchipara Kota 10. Mukkuzhi 11. Kariyilam Thodu 12. Karimala
13. Valiana Vattom 14. Cheriana Vattom 15. Pampa Nadi  

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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

Kerala MapThiruvananthapuram (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

From To Via Kms
Erumeli Kottayam   56
Erumeli Kumuli   70
Erumeli Pampa Ranni - Vadaseriakra 119
Erumeli Pampa Kanamala 56
Erumeli Pampa Athikayam - Perinad 64
Erumeli Pampa Chethonkara - Athikayam 69
Erumeli Thiruvananthapuram   146
       
Pampa Chengannur via Aranmula 93
Pampa Kochi Manimala - Kottayam 200
Pampa Kottayam Ranni Blockpadi - Kozhencherry 119
Pampa Kottayam Manimala - Kodungur 105
Pampa Kottayam Athikayam - Manimala 103
Pampa Kottayam Plappaly -Erumeli -Ponkunnanm  
Pampa Kumuli Erumeli -Vandiperiyari 180
Pampa Pandalam Vadaserikara - Pathanamthitta 84
Pampa Punalur   105
Pampa Shenkottah Pathanamthitta - Punalur 170
Pampa Thiruvananthapuram Pathanamthitta - Adoor 175
       
Sabarimala Kochi   210
Sabarimala Kottarakara   111
Sabarimala Kottayam   134
Sabarimala Kozhikode   415
Sabarimala Palakkad   352
Sabarimala Pandalam   96
Sabarimala Pathanamthitta   67
Sabarimala Mount Sathram (By Foot) 12
Sabarimala Thiruvananthapuram   235
       
Mount Sathram Kumuli   8
       
Thiruvananthapuram Kochi   222
Thiruvananthapuram Kottarakara   74
Thiruvananthapuram Kottayam   160
Thiruvananthapuram Pandalam   105
Thiruvananthapuram Pathanamthitta   168
       
Kochi Kozhikode   224
Kumuli Vandiperiyar   20

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

Frequency From To Via Departure
Daily Pampa Pandalam Pathanamthitta 07:00 
Daily Pampa Kottayam Erumeli 09:00
Daily Pampa Ernakulam Vaikkom 11:55
Daily Pampa Thiruvananthapuram Kottarakara 12:30
Daily Pampa Thiruvananthapuram Punalur 14:00
Daily Pampa Pathanamthitta Punalur 05:30
Daily Pampa Erumeli Mukootuthara 06:00

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)

Frequency From To Via Departure
Daily Pampa Kottayam Thiruvalla 08:00
Daily Pampa Ernakulam Alapuzha 09:00
Daily Pampa Kottayam Thiruvalla 11:00
Daily Pampa Punalur Pathanamthitta 09:00
Daily Pampa Kalikkavalli Kottarakara 09:00
Daily Pampa Guruvayoor Pampa - Guruvayoor 10:00 
Daily Pampa Guruvayoor Pampa - Guruvayoor 15:30
Daily Pampa Pathnamthitta Pampa - Pathanamthitta 10:45
Daily Pampa Chengannur Pampa - Chengannur 16:00

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

Frequency From To Bus Route Departure
Daily Pathanamthitta Pampa Vaikkom - Pampa 9:15
Daily Pathanamthitta Pampa Kottarakara - Pampa 10:00
Daily Pathanamthitta Pampa Thiruvananthapuram - Pampa 11:15
Daily Pathanamthitta Pampa Pathanamthitta - Pampa 14:00
Daily Pathanamthitta Pampa Pandalam - Pampa 18:30

 

Frequency From To Bus Route Departure
Daily Erumeli Pampa Erumeli - Pampa 07:00
Daily Erumeli Pampa Kottayam - Pampa 15:30

 

Frequency From To Bus Route Departure
Daily Kottayam Pampa Vaikkom  - Pampa 07:45
Daily Kottayam Pampa Kottayam - Erumeli - Pampa 13:30

 

Frequency From To Bus Route Departure
Daily Vaikkom Pampa Vaikkom - Pampa 06:30
Daily Thiruvanathapuram Pampa Thiruvanathapuram - Pampa 08:00
Daily Kottarakara Pampa Kottarakara - Pampa 08:45
Daily Pandalam Pampa Pandalam - Pampa 18:00

Bus Charges  from Pampa

To Via Fast Passenger
Rs
Superfast Passenger
Rs
Trivandrum Punalur 104.00 110.00
Trivandrum Adoor

103.00

108,00
Coimbatore   203.00  
Palani   130.00 142.00
Erumeli   35.00 38.00
Kottayam Pathanamthitta 74.00 78.00
Pathanamthitta   44.00 46.00
Guruvayoor   164.00 174.00
Kottarakara   65.00 68.00
Ernakulam Kottayam 63.00 65.00
Ernakulam Pathanamthitta 114.0 120.00
Alapuzha   81.00 86.00
Chengannur   58.00 62.00

Train Services from Chenganur - Northwards and Southwards

Train Services from Chengannur - Towards North

Train No

Name

Days

Timing
6343 Trivandrum - Palakkad Amrutha Express   0110 Hrs
352 Kollam - Ernakulam Passenger   0542
6328 Trivandrum - Korba Express Monday, Thurs 0635
6302 Trivandrum - Shornur Venad Express   0725
6349 Trivandrum - Mangalapuram Parsuram Express   0845
7229 Trivandrum - Hyderabad Sabari Express   0920
354 Kollam - Kottayam Passenger   0940
1082 Kanyakumari - Mumbai Jayanthi Janata Express   1034
2625 Trivandrum - New Delhi Kerala Superfast Express   1315
2615 Trivadnrum - Guwahati Express Sunday 1440
6525 Kanyakumari - Bangalore Island Express   1522
2624 Trivandrum - Chennai Superfast Express   1637
6312 Trivandrum - Jodhpur Express Saturday 1715
6334 Trivandrum - Veraval Express Monday 1715
6336 Nagarcoil - Gandhidham Express Tuesday 1715
6317 Kanyakumari - Jammu Tawi Himsagar Express Friday 1810
2996 Trivandrum - Chennai Superfast express   1940
344 Kayamkulam - Ernakulam Passenger   1600
6359 Nagarcoil - Howrah Gurudev Express Sunday 1810
364 Trivandrum - Kottayam Passenger   1831
6304 Trivandrum - Ernakulam Vanchinad Express   2000
6329 Trivandrum - Mangalapuram Malabar Express   2115
6347 Trivandrum - Mangalapuram express   2315

Train Services from Chengannur - Towards South

6335 Gandhidham - Nagarcoil Express Sunday 0035
6311 Jodhpur - Trivandrum Express Friday 0035
6333 Veraval - Trivandrum Express Saturday 0035
2516 Guwahati - Trivandrum Express Saturday 2100
6348 Mangalapuram - Trivandrum Express   0155
6344 Palakkad - Trivandrum Amrutha Express   0345
6330 Mangalapuram - Trivandrum Malabar Express   0540
351 Kottayam - Kollam Passenger   0625
1081 Mumbai - Kanyakumari Jayanthi Janatha Express   0650
6303 Ernakulam - Trivandrum Vanchinad Express   0750
2623 Chennai - Trivadnrum Superfast Express   0850
6516 Bangalore - Kanyakumari Island Express   1110
2626 New Delhi - Trivandrum Superfast Express   1146
343 Ernakulam - Kayamkulam Passenger   1330
7230 Hyderabad - Trivandrum Sabari Express   1555
6350 Mangalapuram - Trivandrum Parusram Express   1535
6327 Korba - Trivandrum Express Monday, Friday 1500
353 Kottayam - Kollam Passenger   1835
6301 Shornur - Trivandrum Venad Express   0715
6318 Jammu Tawi - Kanyakumari Himsagar Express Thursday 1655
2660 Howrah - Nagarcoil Gurudev Express Friday 1735
355 Ernakulam - Kollam Passenger   2040

If any inadvertent error has  crept in, please inform the Web Master

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