Sabarimala Tourism, Kerala India
(Sabarimala is also known as Sabarimala)
Sabarimala Tourism, Tourist places in Sabarimala, Sightseeing, Sabarimala Travel Guide, Holiday Packages, weekend getaways, places near Sabarimala, reviews, map and trips
(11 Rating; Reviews)
Rollover & click to Rate
Fast Facts
- State: Kerala
- District: Pathanamthitta District
- Famous for/as: Pilgrim
- Altitude: 914 m
- Language: Malayalam
- Best Season: Sept - Apr
- Weather: Summer 23 to 35°C, Winter 17 to 32°C
- Clothing:
- Local Transport:
- Pincode: 689645
- STDCode: 0473
Sabarimala, India Overview
The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths and religious peoples. Here, the emphasis is on secularism and communal harmony. Sabarimala upholds the values of equality, fraternity and also the oneness of the human soul; all men, irrespective of class, creed or race are equal before Lord Ayyappan .Another significant aspect of the pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor, learned or illiterate holding position or not master or servant are all equal before LORD AYYAPPA and all address each other as AYYAPPA Swami. Ayyappa cult gives much importance for the secularism and communal harmony and has turned out to be a model for the whole world.
One of the popular pilgrim centres in India, every year, millions of pilgrims turn out at the hill shrine of Sabarimala to seek the blessings of the presiding deity - Lord Ayyappa or Swami Ayyappan. Located in the Sabari hills, towards the east of Pathanamthitta District, the hills are part of the world famous Periyar Tiger Reserve.
The temple at Sabarimala does not have any restrictions in place, based on religion, caste or creed and is now an icon for communal harmony in Kerala. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty.
0
Business
Romantic
0
Family
0
Friends
0
Solo
Must See Places in Sabarimala, India
Sabarimala, India History
Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is one of the most ancient and prominent Sastha temples in the country. Located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths. The shrine of Sabarimala is one of the most remote shrines in southern India yet it still draws three to four million pilgrims each year. Surrounded by mountains and dense forest Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated. Perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad. The shrine gets thronged with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandala pooja (December12,2011) and Makaravilakku(Jan.15th,2012) 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). Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non vegetarian food and carnal pleasures. Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi kettu containing traditional offerings. Unlike certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty. The easiest route is via Chalakkayam, by which one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.