A Pleasureful, Yet Sacred Trail

It is the dream of every Ayyappa devotee to make at least one pilgrimage to the shrine in a year. There are three different routes to the Sannidhanam. The easiest is to take the Pathanamthitta road to Chalakkayam, Nilackal and further to the Pamba.  This is the same route that takes the devotee to the Neelimala.  Chalakkayam is six kilometres from Pamba.  After a dip in the holy river, the devotee ascends the Neelimala hill.

 The Pamba

The Pamba river is inextricably linked to the Sabarimala pilgrimage.  Devotees believe that the river, as it flows along the foothills of the Neelimala hill, prostrates at the feet of Lord Ayyappa.  A bath in the holy river is considered mandatory before starting the trek over the hill.  The belief is that the waters will wash away the sins, accrued through the current and previous births, and grant salvation.  The ritual of making offerings in the waters of the Pamba is a re-enactment of the obsequies performed by Lord Ayyappa for the warriors who sacrificed their lives fighting the Marava army.  Another story is that the King of Pandalam spotted  Manikandan, the abandoned baby (Lord Ayyappa) on the banks of the Pamba.   This is also the point of confluence of the Pamba and the Kakkiyaar.  A feast is arranged here for the Ambalappuzha and Alangad groups when they return after the petta thullal.  Small pyramid-like lamps made out of twigs, called Gopura vilakku or Pamba vilakku, are floated down the Pamba on the same day.  Devotees say their prayers and make offerings at the Ganapathy temple near the Pamba before they climb the Neelimala.

 Neelimala

Before ascending Neelimala hill, pilgrims first worship at the Pamba Ganapathy temple.

 Following this, they seek blessings from the representative of the King of Pandalam and receive holy ash.  It is level ground for a short distance after which the steep ascent begins.  This trip is through the Poonkavanam or the sacred grove.  The hill is named after Neeli, a servant of Sage Mathanga and ardent Rama devotee.   Those who find the steep granite steps of Neelimala daunting, usually take the Swami Ayyappan Road - Chandranandan Road to reach the Sannidhanam.

 Appachimedu

After the steep Neelimala climb, the devotees reach Appachimeduu. They believe that Kaduravan, one of Lord Ayyappa’s followers, keeps evil spirits under control and makes the area safe for the devotees.  There are deep gorges on both sides of the path, and are called Appachi and Epaachi.  Devotees fling rice balls into the gorges to propitiate the evil spirits.  As beggars are given alms (dharmam in Malayalam) at this spot, the area is also known as Dharmamedu.

 Sabaripeedhom

Sabaripeedhom comes after Appachimedu.  This is generally believed to be the place that housed the ashram of Sabari, the woman-ascetic who appears in the Ramayana.  It seems Lord Rama granted salvation to Sabari here.  Devotees break coconuts at this spot as a form of offering, and burn camphor before proceeding to the Sannidhanam.

 Sharamkuthi

Sharamkuthi is located a kilometre from Sabaripeedhom.  Devotees believe that after vanquishing Udayan, Lord Ayyappa and his band of warriors discarded their weapons at this spot.  Debutant-devotees pierce an arrow at the parapet wall surrounding a banyan tree at Sharamkuthi.  Before the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala is closed, a procession is led from Malikappuram to Sharamkuthi.  There is a roofed pathway leading from Sharamkuthi to the base of the Pathinettampadi.