The nature, bathed in the retreating monsoon, sports a fresh look as pilgrims tie their irumudikettu (bag with two compartments) to perform the annual pilgrimage to
Sabarimala, the abode of Lord Ayyappa. They visit several temples on their way to Sannidhanam, which witnesses huge crowds every season. Meticulous planning will help
pilgrims, called Ayyappas, to bow before their favourite deity.
At Pampa
Though vehicles are allowed up to the petrol pump at Triveni, Pampa, they cannot halt there for too long. It is better to be prepared to alight even before the vehicles reach
Triveni.
Triveni is accessible by state-run KSRTC buses, private vehicles or by foot.
Paying homage
Most pilgrims pay the ritualistic obeisance to their forefathers before heading to Sannidhanam. Booths to perform the bali— ritualistic obeisance—are arranged on the
Valiyapalam at Triveni.
Holy dip
Ayyappas have to take a holy dip in the River Pampa before they start the trek to Sannidhanam. The river will be clean during the initial days of Vrishchikam, but turns
dirty as days go by.
And here is a word of caution: take care of your belongings.
Virtual queue
Those who have utilized the virtual queue facility online, should produce the downloaded document at the police counter in Ramamoorthy Mandapam, Triveni, and collect the
passes.
Pampa Ganapathy Temple
The Ganapathy Temple upon Pampa is the first stop, where pilgrims seek the blessings of the remover of obstacles. They break coconuts as an offering and bows to other
deities in the temple.
Devaswom guardroom
Women, aged 10-50, are allowed only up to the guardroom. They cannot proceed further.
Neelimala Adivaram
The path diverges into Neelimala path and Swamy Ayyappan Road.
Neelimala path
This is the traditional route, and the climb is steep. Pilgrims need to rest occasionally. A cardiology centre is located at Neelimala.
Appachimedu
The aide of the Lord of Bhoothas, Kadurava, rules his subjects from Appachimedu. Offerings are dropped into Appachi and Ippachi ditches to appease the Dark Lords. A
cardiology centre is located at Appachimedu also.
Sabari Peedam
Sabari Peedam is yet another holy spot en route Sannidhanam. Mythology has it that Sabari sat in deep meditation (tapas) and she attained salvation here. Sabari Peedam
is also one the seven forts in the forest.
Marakkoottam
The path diverges once again. One of the paths leads to the Melppalam and further to the sacred 18 stairs to the temple. Those holding the virtual queue passes can take
the Chandranandan Road directly to Sannidhanam.
Sharamkuthi
It is believed that Lord Ayyappa and his followers, after defeating the Maravas, abandoned their weapons at Sharamkuthi. First-time Ayyappas, who performed petta thullal
at Erumely, deposit the arrows at Sharamkuthi.
Valiya Nadapandal
Pilgrims queue up to climb the sacred 18 steps of the stairs at Valiya Nadapandal. The queues are mostly long, but a separate queue is available for those holding virtual
queue passes. They should show their passes to the police before joining the queue.
Pathinettam Padi
The Pathinettan Padi – or the flight of stairs—are most revered, and those who don’t have the irumudikettu are not supposed to climb the stairs to the temple. Before
climbing the stairs, pilgrims should open the kettu and take out the coconut, break it and climb while chanting Ayyappa praises.
Sanctum
sanctorum
After climbing the stairs, take a left to the over-bridge to reach the sanctum sanctorum. After bowing to the deity, pilgrims can pray to Ganapathy and Nagaraja (The Lord
of snakes) at the south-west corner (kannimoola) of the temple.
Malikappuram
Pilgrims
can reach the temple of Malikappurathamma after praying to Kochukadutha Swamy, Mani Mandapam and Nava Grahas.
Ghee offering
One of the favourite offering of Lord Ayyappa is neyyabhishekam or the ghee bath, offered only between 4.30am and 11.30am. Those offering the neyyabhishekam have to
wait near the Vadakke Nada. Those who can’t wait can pour the ghee brought in the coconut into a vessel called the thoni. The ghee from the thoni will be offered to the
lord every noon.
Appam and Aravana
The religious offering of appam and aravana can be brought from the counters near the steps to the Ayyappa temple and Malikappuram.
Accommodation
Those who need accommodation at Sannidhanam should contact the Devaswom Accommodation Centre, opposite public works office at the northern entrance (Vadakke
Nada). Since there are no new buildings at Sannidhanam, finding an accommodation could be a difficult task.
The Devaswom Guest House with 43 rooms is available for VIPs. The rooms should be booked at the Devaswom Commissioner’s office at Nanthancode in
Thiruvananthapuram. Phone: 0471-2314288.
