The forest tract of Sabarimala that constitute the southern most part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve comes to life in mid November when crores of Ayyappan devotees from different parts of world congregate there on an annual pilgrimage to the shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. It is the time when the Mandala Vilakku and Makara Vilakku festivals are celebrated. Of the many famous temples in Kerala, the Ayyappa temple of Sabarimala in the Western Ghats in south Kerala is the most well known one. Regardless of caste, creed, colour, devotees wearing black dhotis and carrying the sacred Iru Mudi on their head trek the steep terrains of Poonkavanam chanting “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”- their lone shield against all the obstacles they have to face in their spiritual pursuit. The pilgrimage symbolizes the struggle of the individual soul in its onward journey to the abode of bliss and beatitude. The path of the spiritual aspirant is always long, arduous and hazardous. And so is the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.The distance from the base of the hill to the top takes about three days to cover and the most important part of the pilgrimage are the final 18 steps, which lead to the temple.

The procession visits various temples en route to Sabarimala and reaches the hill shrine before the “Deeparadhana” on the Makara Vilakku day which usually falls on January 14th.

Sabarimala is a unique symbol of Hindu-Muslim-Christian amity. All the participants of the procession enter and worship at the Muslim Wavar Mosque opposite Erumely Kochampalm and many pay nercha at the St.George chapel en route to Valiyampalam. At Sabarimala Vavar Nada pilgrims get pepper presadom from the Muslim Priest there.

Devotees undergo rigorous penance and austere living for 41 days before starting on the pilgrimage. They must vow to walk bare foot, not cut their nails and hair, sleep on the floor, eat satvik food and practise absolute abstinence during the period of their penance. The people making the pilgrimage for the first time are known as "Kanni Swamys" and the person leading the group is known as 'Guru Swamy' or the lead person of a team who is incharge of all the rituals. Only young girls who have not attained womanhood and old women who have reached menopause are allowed to enter the temple during the festival.

The temple

Eighteen steps are seen leading to the sanctum and these steps are considered to be very sacred. Only those who have observed the 41 day penance are allowed to climb these steps. The temple dome is covered with gold and the devotees break the coconuts before climbing the steps.

The legend

Aiyappan is revered as the son of Shiva and Mohini - Vishnu-maya. Legend has it that this divine child was discovered on the banks of the river Pampa by the ruler of the kingdom of Pandalam. The childless king brought up this child Manikandan as his own. A plot hatched by the vile queen sent the valiant Manikandan in search of leapord's milk, as the only suitable cure for the queen's feigned illness. The valiant prince killed the demon Mahishi in the jungle and relieved its inhabitants of untold suffering and returned to the kingdom with a herd of tigers. The divinity of the child revealed, he requested the king to build a temple on the hill Neelimala, where the saint Sabari was engaged in penance.

How to get there?

Transportation is available upto Pamba, from where one has to travel a distance of 5 kms on foot.

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