Hundreds of devotees started trekking the holy Sabari Hills in Kerala as the two-month long annual pilgrimage season got under way today with the temple opening on the eve of the auspicious month of 'Vrishchikam' of the Malayalam calendar.
Despite steady drizzle, Lord Ayyappa devotees, mostly from southern states, have begun to pour into foothills Pampa, from where the five-km trek to the uphill shrine starts.
The first leg of the pilgrimage, 41-day "mandala" season, got under way with traditional high priest Kantararu Maheswaru opening the temple portals. This was followed by ceremonous anointment of new chief priests (melsanthis) for the main shrine and adjoining Malikappuram Devi temples.
The "Mandala pooja" would be held on December 26. The temple will be closed for four days, after which the "Makaravilakku" season will start, culminating with the 'makara jyoti' (celestial light) darshan on January 14.
HOW TO REACH SABARIMALA
The nearest airports are at Kochi and Trivandrum. Trivandrum International Airport is located at a distance of 175 km from Sabarimala. Nedumbassery International Airport at Kochi is at a distance of about 190 km from Sabarimala. Pre-paid taxi services are available from both airports to Pampa, 4 km away from Sabarimala Temple. Taxi charges about Rs 2500 for one way. The airports are well connected to all major airports in India and also are connected to many foreign cities.
One can get KSRTC buses frequently to Pamba. 4 km trekking from Pamba is required to reach Sabarimala. Pmaba is well connected by KSRTC buses to all cities in Kerala. Frequent services are available from Trivandum (175 km), Kochi (180 km), Kottayam (109 km), Chengannur (93 km)and Chnganacherry (98 km).
Nearest railhead is at Chengannur, which is located at a distance of about 93 km from Pamba. Chengannur is located in the main rail route between Trivandrum and Kottayam and is connected by rail to all other railway stations in India. Taxi and other SUV services are available from Chengannur to Pamba. One-way taxi charge is about Rs 1300 to Pamaba.
SABARIMALA ROUTE MAP
To know more about sabarimala click the following sites
www.sabarimala.org
en.wikipedia.org
www.sacredsites.com
YouTube - Sabarimala - Makara Jyothi
indianachu : 01
Posts
Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Russian
Spanish
