Shabarimala located on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at a height of 914 from sea level, Sabarimala is one of the most popular pilgrim centers in South India. Sabarimala temple is dedicated to Sri Ayyappa. Legend says that Sabarimala is the place where Lord Ayyappan sat on meditation after killing Mahishi, a demoness in Hindu epics. The temple opens early in November and closes by mid-January. The temple is closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during the Malayalam New Year. On the day of ‘Makaravilakku’, lakhs of devotees reach at Sabarimala temple to get a glimpse of Makarajyothi. Sabarimala is situated about 72 km from Pathanamthitta.
Nearest railway station: Chengannur Railway Station-95 Km, Kottayam railway station-125 km away & Cochin(Ernakulam) railway station- 200 Km away
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport- 160 km away and Trivandrum Airport – 185 km away.
There are four main approches the Sabarimala Sabarimala AyyappaTemple
- Kottayam to Pamba (via) Erumeli and from Pamba to Sabarimala (by foot) 136 kilometers. Kottayam to Pamba (via) Manimala and there to sabarimala 116 Kilometers.
- Erumeli to Sabarimala (via) Kalaketty, Azhutha, Inchipra, Karimala, Pampa- 45 kiliometers(traditional route by walking).
- Vandiperiyar to Mount estate by vehicle and there by waling to sabarimala
- Climb down sabarimala is Vandiperiyar to Kozhikanam 15 kilometers. Kozhikanam to Uppupara 10 kilometers, Uppupara to Sabarimala 3.5 Kilometers (climb doen on foot). Nearst railway stations are kottayam and Chengannur.
- Route Distance
Erumeli to Pamba 80 km
Kottayam to Erumeli (via) Kanjirapally 55 km
Kottayam to Erumeli (via) Manimala 54 km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Manimala 116km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Thiruvalla (Kozhencherry, Vadasserikkara ) 119 km
Kottayam to Pamba (via) Thiruvalla 123 km
Chengannur to Pamba 93 Km
Ernakulam to Pamba (via) Kottayam 200 km
Allappy to Pamba (via) Ac Road 137 km
Punalur to Pamba 101 km
Pathanathitta to pamba 65 km
Thiruvananthapuram to Pamba 180 km
Ernakulam to Erumeli (via) Vaikkam, Pala, Ponkunnam 121km