Holy Destinations of India
Sabarimala
Amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western Ghats lies the sacred mountain 'Sabarimala', a major pilgrim centre in India. The landscape has vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and plantations. Evergreen and moist deciduous forest cover half the total district area. The holy Pamba river formed by the confluence of five smaller rivers, descends from the Sabarimala. The sanctum sanctorum nestles 914 metres above sea level.
The shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa who is believed to have been born from the union of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, and Lord Siva, the Destroyer. No woman devotee in the fertility age group is allowed to proceed beyond Pamba. Devotees undertake rigorous penance, ritualistic vows and fasts for 41 days before they visit the temple. The main festivals are the Mandala pooja, the Makara vilakku in December-January and the Vishu vilakku in April. Millions of devotees, irrespective of caste, creed and colour, from all over the country, climb the 18 sacred steps to the sanctum sanctorum for a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa.
Facts and Figures:
Language:
Malayalam, English, Hindi
Best Time to Visit: 15th November to 15th January
Altitude: 914m above sea level
Best Time to Visit: March to August
Major Festival: Thiruvabharanam
Rules of the Temple: 10 to 50 year old are not allowed inside the
temple.
Photos of Sabarimala
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| Sabrimala Temple | Sabrimala |
Tourist Attraction of Sabarimala
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Sabrimala Temple Festivals:
Devotees from all over during November and January start a procession and assemble in Sabrimala to celebrate the Sabrimala Temple Festival. Held during Makar Sankranti and November, the Sabrimala Temple Festival is considered to be an important event.
-
Aazhipooja:
The Aazhipooja celebrates the ascetic frame of mind of the pilgrims who undergo through a process of renunciation before they embark on a journey to the Sabrimala Temple. It is observed on the day before setting out on a holy journey.
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Petta Thullal:
The Petta Thullal is a colorful event that occurs during the holy journey in Erumeli. Here the devotees paint themselves with stripes of ashes, colors and carbon and don an unique look with arrows, clubs, fruits and bundles on their head. The chanting and the drumbeats add to the color of the ceremony.
A tour to Sabrimala is incomplete without these tourist attractions and these are a must watch.
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How to Reach :
Inaccessible by road or rail, one has to trek a distance of 4 km to reach
the shrine. Transportation is available only upto Pamba, which is 66 km from
Pathanamthitta.
Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 28 km from Pathanamthitta
Nearest airports: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about
119 km from Pathanamthitta; Cochin International Airport, about 133
km from Pathanamthitta
ACCOMMODATION
Devaswom Guest House at Sannidhanam |
|||
|
Guest House |
No. of Rooms |
Rent |
Phone |
|
Maramath – Complex |
22 |
225 to 450 |
04735-202027 |
|
Donor House I |
24 |
250 |
04735-202041 |
|
Donor House II |
16 |
150 |
“ |
|
Hall |
2 |
600 |
” |
|
Donor House III |
24 |
250 |
“ |
|
Donor House IV |
24 |
250 |
“ |
|
Donor House V |
19 |
400 to 750 |
“ |
|
Pilgrim Centre I |
103 |
150 |
“ |
|
Pilgrim Centre II |
115 |
250 |
“ |
|
G.K.D. Charity Trust Hall |
2 |
700 |
“ |
|
Poorna Pushkala Hall |
1 |
450 |
“ |
|
Cottages (5) |
51 |
600 to 1000 |
“ |
|
Malikappuram Building |
16 |
100 |
“ |
|
Hall |
1 |
100 |
“ |
|
Sabari Nivas |
64 |
202321 |
|
Accomodation For 3 Persons 375 Remit
" 4 Persons 600 Rs.50/- for
" 5 Persons 700 Extra bed
For Advance booking for accomodation in Devaswom guest houses contact:
Commissioner,
Travancore Devaswom Board, Nanthancode,
Thiruvananthapuram. Phone: 0471-2315156, 2316963, 2317983
For Booking from Sabarimala Contact:
Accomodation
Office at Sannidhanam Phone:04735-202049
Pilgrims can book rooms in advance in the guest house of Forest Department
and Kerala State Electricity Board:
Sannidhanam Forest IB Phone: 202074 / 202075
6 Room Rs.300
per day Contact:
Field Director, Project Tiger Kottayam, Kerala Phone:0481-2565940
Sannidhanam KSEB IB Phone: 202024
3 Rooms Rs.20/-
per person. 1 Hall: Rs.10/- Per person
Contact: Board Secretary, Vaidyuthi Bhavan
Thiruvananthapuram, Phone:0471-2448989
Forest Department has also an IB Dormitary at Pamba. IB has 3
Rooms (Rs.300 per day). Accomodation is available in the Dormitary for Rs.50
per person.
FOOD PRICE
AT SANNIDHANAM PAMBA AND NEAR BY HILLSTATIONS
|
Item |
@Sannidhanam |
@Pampa |
Vadasserikkara |
|
Tea |
4.50 |
4.00 |
3.50 |
|
Coffee |
5.00 |
4.50 |
3.50 |
|
Instant
Coffee |
7.00 |
6.50 |
4.50 |
|
Horlicks (200 ml.) |
9.00 |
8.50 |
6.25 |
|
Bournvita |
9.00 |
8.50 |
6.25 |
|
Black
Tea/Black Coffee |
3.50 |
3.00 |
2.00 |
|
Dosa |
3.50 |
3.00 |
2.75 |
|
Idili |
3.50 |
3.00 |
2.75 |
|
Ghee Roast (Single 125 gm) |
12.50 |
11.50 |
7.50 |
|
Masala Dosa (Single 175 gm) |
13.00 |
12.00 |
8.50 |
|
Chappathi |
14.00 |
13.50 |
10.00 |
|
Boorri |
13.00 |
12.50 |
9.00 |
|
Porotta (Single-60 gm) |
5.00 |
4.50 |
4.00 |
|
Oothappam (Single-60 gm) |
6.00 |
5.50 |
4.50 |
|
Parppu Vadai |
4.00 |
4.00 |
3.50 |
|
Uzhunnu Vadai |
4.00 |
4.00 |
3.50 |
|
Peas Masala |
5.50 |
4.50 |
4.00 |
|
Kadala curry |
5.00 |
4.50 |
4.00 |
|
Meals |
22.00 |
20.00 |
18.00 |
|
Meals |
22.00 |
20.00 |
18.00 |
|
Porridge |
11.00 |
10.50 |
6.50 |
|
Tapioca (Boiled) |
7.50 |
7.00 |
5.00 |
|
Curd |
6.00 |
5.00 |
4.00 |
|
Palappam |
3.00 |
2.75 |
2.50 |
|
Idiyappam |
3.00 |
2.75 |
2.50 |
|
Veg.
Biriyani
|
18.00
|
16.50
|
-
|
|
Curd Sadam
|
18
|
17.00
|
-
|
|
Lemon
Sadam
|
18
|
17.00
|
-
|
|
Uppumavu
|
12.50
|
12.00
|
-
|
|
Pineapple
1 k
|
10.00
|
9.50
|
-
|
|
Watermelon/
Pineapple fresh juice |
10.00
|
9.00
|
-
|
|
" ordinary
Juice
|
5.00
|
4.50
|
-
|
|
Watermelon
ordinary juice |
-
|
3.50
|
-
|
|
Tender
Coconut Huice
|
-
|
15.00
|
-
|
|
Sugarcane
Juice
|
-
|
5.00
|
-
|
|
Half
Banana fry
|
5.00
|
4.00
|
3.50
|
|
Bonda
|
3.00
|
2.00
|
2.50
|