02/11/2014
Sabarimala ( malayalam:ശബരിമല) is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world with an estimated 50 million devotees visiting every year.[1][2] Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi. Ayyappan's temple is situated here amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m (1535 ft) above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples exist 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 survive to this day on remaining hills.
Sabarimala is linked to Hindu pilgrimage, predominantly for men of all ages.You can identify a Sabarimala pilgrim easily as they wear black or blue dress.They do not shave till the completion of pilgrimage and smear Vibhuti or Sandal paste on their forehead.Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed to enter the temple, since the story attributed to Ayyappa prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. This is because Ayyappan is a Bramhachari (celibate). The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (approximately 15 November to 26 December), Makaravilakku (14 January- "Makar Sankranti ") and Maha Vishuva Sankranti (14 April), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.
Country India
State Kerala
District Pathanamthitta District, Ranni Tehsil
Elevation 468 m (1,535 ft)
Languages
• Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Telephone code 0473
How to reach
Air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (170 km) and Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, Kochi (160 km) are the nearest airports.
Rail
Chengannur Railway Station(82 km)(Declared as Gateway of Sabarimala), Tiruvalla Railway Station(92 km), Kottayam Railway Station (120 km) and Kollam Junction railway station (129 km) are the nearest railway stations. Direct Bus services to Pathanamthitta, Erumeli and Pamba are operated from Chengannur Railway Station.
Road
The main trunk road to Sabarimala is Pathanamthitta - Pamba, which passes through, Mannarakulanji, Vadasserikara, Perunad, Laha, Nilackal > Pampa. The distance from Pathanamthitta District center to Sabarimala is about 70 km.
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operates, regular daily bus services from Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kumili. On special days, when the temple is opened for Poojas, KSRTC operates more services to all major towns of Kerala and neighboring states