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Sabarimala
Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent
among all the sastha Temples. This is one of the most enciele Temples
in Kerala. Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western
Ghats at an altitude of 914m above sea level and is accessible only
by foot from Pamba (5 km).
The unique feature of the Temple is that it open to people of all faiths
and many none hindus contuct pilgrimages to this temple. The secular
aspect of the temple is best exemplified by the existence of the "Vavar
Nada" in honour of a Muslim saint at the close proximity to the
main Ayyappa Swami Temple at Sabarimala by the side of Holy Pathinettampady.
The pilgrims worship in this place also.
The pilgrims on their Sojourn to Sabarimala worship at Erumeli Sree
Dharma Sastha Temple and conduct "Petta Thullal" They also
worship in the mosque at Erumeli as a part of their pilgrimage. Ayyappa
Cult gives much importance for the secularism and communal harmony and
has turn out to be a model for the whole world. Another significant
aspect of the pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor,
learned or illiterate holding position or not master of servant are
all equal before LORD AYYAPPA and all address each other as AYYAPPA.
The temple is dedicated to Sree Ayyappa.Nestled in the thick forests
of the Sabari Hills of the Western Ghats range.The popularity of this
shrine such that it draws thousands of people from all over the world,
irrespective of cast or creed. The shrine will be teeming with devotees
especially during the pilgrim season from November to January. It is
a 4 to 5 km trek from the banks of the River Pamba to the shrine on
top of the hill. Women, who are past their fertility age or before puberty
are allowed to enter the shrine.
Pilgrim season: November to mid January. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku
are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed
during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every
Malayalam month and during Vishu (April).
How to get there:
Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla (102 km)
Thiruvalla Railway Station to Patthanamthitta - 30kms.
Patthanamthitta to Pamba -67kms.
Pamba to Sabarimala - 5kms.
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