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’.                  

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

 

 

 

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

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.

Nearest Airport 

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.

 

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
Vaiko

Nearest Railwayheads 

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.

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.

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.

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 jayapandian.wordpress.com

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	114.00	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
TrainNo	Name	Days	Timing
6343	Trivandrum – Palakkad           Amrutha Express		0110
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	Trivandrum – 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
2696	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

 

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Sabarimala Temple – Opening and Closing Dates

 

Dates of Opening and closing of Sabarimala Temple during the year 2008-2009-2010
Name of Festivals	Opening (English)	Opening (Malayalam)	Time  Hrs	Closing (English)	Closing (Malayalam)	Time  Hrs
Monthly Pooja	15 Nov 08	Thulam   30-03-1184	1730	15 Nov 08	Thulam    30-03-1184	2230
Mandala Pooja Begins	16 Nov 08	Vrchikam   01-04-1184	1730			2230
Mandala Pooja Festival Day	26 Dec 08	Dhanu    11-05-1184	1730			2230
Temple closes				26 Dec 08		2230
Temple re-opens fo Makaravilakku	30 Dec 08	Dhanu    15-05-1184	1730
Makaravilakku Festival Day	14 Jan 09	Makaram    1-06-1184	1730
Makarasankrama Abhishekham			0600AM
Makaravilakku Festival closing day	20 Jan 09	Makaram     7-06-1184				7 AM after darshan of Pandalam Maharaja
Monthly Pooja
Temple opening	12 Feb 09	Makaram    30-06-1184	1730
Temple closing				17 Feb 09		2230
Monthly Pooja
Temple opening	14 Mar 09
Temple closing				19 Mar 09		2230
Ulsavam
Ulsavam	29 Mar 09	Meenam    15-08-1184
Thrikodiyettu	30 Mar 09	Meenam    16-08-1184
Arattu Festival – Painkuni Uthram
Arattu Festival	08 Apr 09	Meenam     25-08-1184		08 Apr 09	Meenam 25-08-1184	2230
Monthly Pooja
Meda Vishu Festival	10 Apr 09	Meenam 27-08-1184	1730
Vishu Day	14 Apr 09	Medom 1-09-1184
Temple Closes				18 Apr 09	5-09-1184	2230
Monthly Pooja
Monthly Pooja opens	14 May 09	Medom    31-09-1184	1730
Temple closes				19 May 09	5-10-1184	2230
Pratishta Day
Monthly Pooja	01 Jun 09	Edavom   18-10-1184	1730
Temple closes				02 Jun 09	19-10-1184	2230
Monthly Pooja
Temple opens	14 Jun 09	Edavom   31-10-1184	1730
Temple closes				19 Jun 09	5-11-1984	2230
Monthly Pooja
Temple opens	16 Jul 09	Midhunam  32-11-1984	1730
Temple closes				21 Jul 09	5-12-1184	2230
Monthly Pooja
Temple opens	16 Aug 09	Karkidakam    31-12-1184
Temple closes				21 Aug 09	19-1-1185	2230
Onam Pooja
Temple opens	31 Aug 09	Chingam   15-01-1185	1730
Temple closes				04 Sep 09		2230
Monthly Pooja
Temple opens	16 Sep 09	Chingam   31-01-1185	1730
Temple closes				21 Sep 09	5-02-1185	2230
Monthly Pooja
Temple opens	16 Oct 09	Kanni  31-02-1185	1730
Temple closes				21 Oct 09	5-03-1185	2230
Sree Chithira Atta Thirunal Pooja
Temple Opens	13 Nov 09	Thulam   28-03-1185	1730
Temple Closes				14 Nov 09		2230
Mandala Pooja and Monthly Pooja
Temple Opens	15 Nov 09	Thulam     30/03/1185	1730
Temple Closes				26 Dec 09	11-05-1185	2230
Next Makaravilakku Day
Next Makaravilakku Day	14 Jan 2010	01-06-1185
Any error or omission may please be brought to the notice of the web master immediately.

 

                   

Ghee Abhishekham – During Mandala Pooja Festival 2008-09

Due to large crowds of pilgrims, these timings are subject to changes depending on the convenience of the temple authorities

Morning – From 0400 Hrs till 1130 hrs.
Closes at 1300 hrs.
Evening – From 1730 hrs.
Last time for Neyyabhishekam has not yet been ascertained.
Harivarasanm at 2300 hrs.
25 Nov 97

Earlier, the main temple Ulsavam was being held during December every year which is in the midst of the peak pilgrimage session. The Ulsavam rituals necessitated the temple being closed for  various durations thus preventing an opportunity for a `darshan’ for many pilgrims.

Hence, commencing from the year 2006, it has been decided to hold the Ulsavam during the period 2nd April to 16th April every year.

Some of the events that take place during the main festival in April 2008
(Exact dates and times for these events will be ascertained later)

·         Prior to the Utsavam, Shudhi Kriyas consisting of  Prasada Shudhi, Vaastu Bali, Vaastu Punyaham, Mulayidil will be performed.

·         Bimba Shudhi Kriyas consisting of Chathu Shudhi, Dhara, Panchakam, Panchagavyam and 25 Kalasam will be performed.

·         Kodiyettam (Temple Flag Hoisting)  will be conducted during Makara Rasi. On Kodiyettam day, no Neyyabhishekham will be performed from  0700 hrs. It will re-commence after Kodiyettam.

·         Sribhutha Bali will be performed.

·         Utsava Bali will be performed. The Lord will be taken to special mandapam for the Utsava Bali. The ceremonies will commence at about 1300 hrs and will be over by about 1600 hrs. Utsava Bali darshan will be from 1400 hrs. On these days.

·         Palli Vetta will be undertaken.

·         Villkku Ezhunallipu.

·         Arattu to Pampa.

·         As the Siveli Vigraham will be away at Pampa on the Aarattu day from morning till evening,  temple darshan will not be possible till the Vigraham returns to the temple  after the Aarattu.

Standard Schedule of Rituals at Sabarimala Temple

During Makaravilakku season, the temple opening is at 0300 hrs and closing at 2300 hrs. So some of the pooja timings will shift up and down. Essentially, this is the trend of events.

	Standard Timings	Actual Timings during the Mandala Pooja – Makaravilakku Season
Opens at	0400 hrs	0400  hrs
Nirmalya Darshanam	0405 hrs	0405 hrs
Neyyabhishekam	0430 – 1130 hrs	0425 -1130 hrs
Ganapathi Homam	0435 hrs	0430 hrs
Usha Pooja	0730 hrs	0730 hrs
Ucha (Noon) Pooja	1230 hrs	1300 hrs
Closes at	1300 hrs	1330 hrs
Opens at	1600 hrs	1600 hrs
Deeparadhana	1830 hrs	1830 hrs
Pushpabhishekham	1900 hrs	1900 hrs
Athaza Pooja	2230 hrs	2230 hrs
Harivarasanam and Closing at	2250 to 2300	2250 to 2300 hrs

Notes from Ayyappa Seva Sangham:-

Pilgrims who have not undergone traditional `vrutham’ are prohibited from carrying `Irumudi’ or climbing the holy `Pathinettam Padi’. They should use the side entrance.

On the first day of any session, the temple opens at 1730 hrs.

Singing of “Harivarasnam’ and closing of the Sanctum Sanctorum doors takes place at around 2230 hrs.

Devotees coming to Sabarimala on pilgrimage should be aware of the traditional religious practices, related to the temple, and should abide by these. Only pilgrims with Irumudi Kettu will be permitted to climb `Pathinettam Padi’ (Holy Eighteen Steps). Women in the age group of 10 to 50 years will not be allowed `temple darshan’ and they will not be permitted to go beyond Pampa. Police check post exists at Pampa to enforce this.

As per the orders of the Kerala High Court, in order to prevent environmental pollution, usage of carry bags made of plastic, polythene etc are strictly prohibited in Pampa area and all roads/paths to `Sannidhanam’ and surroundings of `Sannidhanam’. Smoking is also strictly prohibited in the above areas.  Production / carriage / distribution / consumption of alcoholic / narcotic substances are also strictly prohibited. Those found guilty would find themselves in serious trouble with the law enforcement/excise authorities. 

All pilgrims are humbly requested to co-operate with Devaswom Board Authorities and Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham authorities for the successful and orderly conduct of the festival as well as maintenance of the sanctity of the pilgrimage.                                                     

 

 

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