Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
Lord Ayyappa
Sabarimala, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala
Forest hill temple of Lord Ayyappa reached after a 41-day vratham and a trek from Pamba.
History
Ayyappa, son of Shiva and Mohini, is believed to have meditated here after defeating the demoness Mahishi. Tradition credits sage Parashurama with installing the idol. The temple was rebuilt after a fire in 1950. Pilgrims observe a 41-day fast (mandala vratham), wear black or blue clothing and carry the irumudi (sacred bundle) on their heads, climbing the 18 holy steps (Pathinettam Padi). It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world.
Architecture
Kerala style shrine with gold-plated roof on a hilltop at about 480 m in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Festivals
- Mandala Pooja (Dec)
- Makaravilakku (14 Jan)
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Plan your visit
Weather at the temple
Directions to Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
How to reach
- By air
- Cochin International Airport, about 160 km; Thiruvananthapuram, about 170 km
- By train
- Chengannur, about 80 km; Kottayam, about 90 km
- By road
- KSRTC buses to Pamba, then about 5 km trek.
Near the temple
Rooms, food, bus stands, railway stations, ATMs, hospitals, parkingPlaces come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Each list has a Google Maps link for more.