sabarimala-- how to reach

  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 (November16,2009) and Makaravilakku(Jan.14th) 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.

How To Reach How to reach Pampa

By Rail:
The pilgrims can reach Kottayam & Chengannur by Railway (Broad gauage) and Punalur (Metre Gauage) and from there by bus to Pampa.

Nearest Railway Stations
Kottayam  0481- 2563535
Chengannur - 0479- 2452340
Pamba Railway Enquiry Counter - 04735- 203605

Click here for train timings
By Air:
The pilgrims can reach Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi & Nedumbassery by Air and from there reach Pampa by bus/car.

By Road:
KSRTC has started operating buses to Coimbatore, Palani and Thenkashi from Pampa for the convenience of the Sabarimala pilgrims. Besides, the Government of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka has been given the permission to operate buses to Pampa. A chain service exists between Pampa and Nilackal base camp.

Distance
From	To	Distance
Erumeli	Pampa	56 Kms.
Kottayam	Erumeli	72 Kms
Kottayam	Pampa	128 Kms.
Chengannoor	Pampa	93 Kms.
Thiruvalla	Pampa	99 kms
Ernakulam	Pampa (via) Kottayam	200 Kms.
Alleppy	Pampa (via) A.C. Road	137 Kms.
Punalur	Pampa	105 Kms.
Pathanamthitta	Pampa	69 Kms.
Pandalam	Pampa	84 kms.
Thiruvananthapuram	Pampa	175 Kms.
Ernakulam	Erumeli (via) Palai, Ponkunnam	175 Kms.

Destination	Bus Fare (Rs.) *
	Fast Passenger	Super Fast			Super Express
Chengannur	67		71	76
Coimbatore(Pathanamthitta-Kottayam)	212		236
Coimbatore(Erumely-Kottayam)	187		226
Ernakulam (via Pathanamthitta)	128		135
Ernakulam (via Erumely)	114		119
Erumely	39		41	46
Guruvayur	182		191	211
Kannur	292		305
Kottarakkara	75		79	86
Kottayam	84		89	96
Kumily	89		93	101
Kozhikkode	238		249
Pandalam	64		67	71
Palakkad	201		211	231
Palani	147		151	170
Pathanamthitta	51		55	61
Punalur	74		79
Tenkasi	108
Thiruvananthapuram	115		122	130
* fare including cess of Rs.1/-

Bus services from Chengannoor, Kottayam and Ernakulam railway stations have started to help pilgrimage to pamba.Advance seat reservation facility is also available including group reservation prior to 10 days. The KSRTC will provide bus to Pampa from any place within 10 kms from special service centre for a group of 40 pilgrims.

The timing of bus from KSRTC is not specifically scheduled since bus will always available as and when required. That is, one bus will always be there at the bus station and will starts the trip just after filling the seating capacity. Contact: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation
Transport Bhavan, East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala.
Phone: +91 471- 2471011

 du (Phone No. 04735-202050) and Neelimala (Phone No. 04735-203384). Stretcher service is available at Appachimedu (Phone No. 04735-203350)

As Sabarimala Ayyappa is 'Nithya Brahmachari' (celibate)women between the 10-50 age group are not allowed to enter Sabarimala. Such women who try to enter Sabarimala will be prevented by authorities.

Only pilgrims who have observed Vritham

General Info
Vehicles operated by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, Travancore Devaswom Board and Private parties are available to Pamba. Dolly service is available from Pamba to Sannidhanam for those who are unable to walk the heights.

There are Cardiology centres at Appachime

utham alone are allowed entry through the holly Pathinettampadi. They have to carry Irumudikettu (Pallikettu) also.

Hospital facilities
The Health Department of the Government of Kerala runs allopathy, homoeopathy and ayurvedic hospitals at Sannidhanam and Pamba during the pilgrimage season. A cardiology unit functions at the Neelimala ascent the Devaswom Board also runs a cardiology hospital at Pamba near the Pamba Maramath Complex, in cooperation with the Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi.
In addition to the above facilities, some organizations from and outside Kerala also conduct free medical camps for pilgrims during the Mandala pooja and Makaravilakku festivals. They are at Sannidhanam and Pamba, and also along the sides of the path leading to the Sannidhanam.
Sufficient ambulance services are also available at Pamba.

Train Timings Chengannur Trains, Chengannur Railway Timetable

Train Code	Train Name	Arriaval	Departure	Stop time	Days of run
6344	Amritha Express	03:23	03:25	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6343	Amritha Express	01:09	01:10	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6525	Bangalore Exp	15:24	15:25	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6312	Bikaner Express	17:14	17:15	1 min	Sat
6311	Bkn Tvc Express	00:33	00:35	2 min	Wed
6382	Cape Mumbai Exp	10:39	10:40	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2624	Chennai Mail	16:33	16:35	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6336	Gandhidham Exp	17:13	17:15	2 min	Tue
2516	Ghy Tvc Express	20:49	20:50	1 min	Wed
2659	Gurudev Express	18:14	18:15	1 min	Sun
2660	Gurudev Express	17:34	17:35	1 min	Wed
2515	Guwahati Exp	14:43	14:45	2 min	Mon
6317	Himsagar Exp	18:14	18:15	1 min	Fri
06317	Mdu Jammu Exp	18:14	18:15	1 min	Fri
6318	Himsagar Exp	16:53	16:55	2 min	Mon
6526	Kanyakumari Exp	12:08	12:10	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6381	Kanyakumari Exp	06:38	06:40	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2625	Kerala Express	13:19	13:20	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2626	Kerala Express	11:43	11:45	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6328	Korba Express	06:34	06:35	1 min	Mon Thu
6327	Krba Tvc Expres	14:59	15:00	1 min	Thu Sun
2202	Ltt Garib Rath	10:30	10:32	2 min	Thu Sun
6629A	Malabar Exp	Source	Destination		Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6629	Malabar Exp	21:14	21:15	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6630	Malabar Express	05:38	05:40	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6347	Mangalore Exp	23:14	23:15	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6335	Nagercoil Exp	00:33	00:35	2 min	Fri
6350	Parasuram Exp	15:34	15:35	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6349	Parasuram Exp	08:44	08:45	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
7230	Sabari Exp	15:54	15:55	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
7229	Sabari Express	09:19	09:20	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2697	Trivandrum Exp	04:38	04:40	2 min	Sun
6348	Trivandrum Exp	01:54	01:55	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2695	Trivandrum Exp	05:08	05:10	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2623	Trivandrum Mail	08:38	08:40	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2696	Tvc Chennai Exp	19:38	19:40	2 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2698	Tvc Chennai Exp	22:03	22:05	2 min	Sat
6303	Vanchinad Exp	07:19	07:20	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6304	Vanchinad Exp	19:59	20:00	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6301	Venad Express	19:14	19:15	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6302	Venad Express	07:24	07:25	1 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6334	Veraval Express	17:13	17:15	2 min	Mon
6333	Vrl Tvc Express	00:33	00:35	2 min	Thu

Kottayam Trains,  Kottayam Railway Timetable

Train Code	Train Name	Arriaval	Departure	Stop time	Days of run
6344	Amritha Express	02:40	02:45	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6343	Amritha Express	02:00	02:05	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6525	Bangalore Exp	16:20	16:25	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6312	Bikaner Express	18:20	18:25	5 min	Sat
6311	Bkn Tvc Express	23:53	23:58	5 min	Wed
6382	Cape Mumbai Exp	11:30	11:35	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2624	Chennai Mail	17:30	17:35	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6336	Gandhidham Exp	18:20	18:25	5 min	Tue
2516	Ghy Tvc Express	20:05	20:10	5 min	Wed
2659	Gurudev Express	19:05	19:10	5 min	Sun
2660	Gurudev Express	16:50	16:55	5 min	Wed
2515	Guwahati Exp	15:40	15:45	5 min	Mon
6317	Himsagar Exp	19:05	19:10	5 min	Fri
06317	Mdu Jammu Exp	19:05	19:10	5 min	Fri
6318	Himsagar Exp	15:55	16:00	5 min	Mon
6526	Kanyakumari Exp	11:25	11:30	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6381	Kanyakumari Exp	05:55	06:00	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2201	Kcvl Garib Rath	16:50	16:55	5 min	Mon Fri
2625	Kerala Express	14:05	14:10	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2626	Kerala Express	11:00	11:05	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6328	Korba Express	07:20	07:25	5 min	Mon Thu
6327	Krba Tvc Expres	14:15	14:20	5 min	Thu Sun
2202	Ltt Garib Rath	11:15	11:20	5 min	Thu Sun
6629A	Malabar Exp	Source	Destination		Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6629	Malabar Exp	22:10	22:15	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6630	Malabar Express	04:50	04:55	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6347	Mangalore Exp	23:58	00:03	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6335	Nagercoil Exp	23:53	23:58	5 min	Fri
6350	Parasuram Exp	14:50	14:53	3 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6349	Parasuram Exp	09:35	09:40	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
7230	Sabari Exp	15:05	15:10	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
7229	Sabari Express	10:05	10:10	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2697	Trivandrum Exp	03:20	03:25	5 min	Sun
6348	Trivandrum Exp	01:10	01:15	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2695	Trivandrum Exp	04:25	04:30	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2623	Trivandrum Mail	07:55	08:00	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2696	Tvc Chennai Exp	20:20	20:25	5 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2698	Tvc Chennai Exp	22:45	22:50	5 min	Sat
6303	Vanchinad Exp	06:40	06:43	3 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6304	Vanchinad Exp	20:47	20:50	3 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6301	Venad Express	18:32	18:35	3 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6302	Venad Express	08:15	08:18	3 min	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6334	Veraval Express	18:20	18:25	5 min	Mon
6333	Vrl Tvc Express	23:53	23:58	5 min	Thu