Pamba

For the Hindus, the Pamba is as sacred as the Ganges, and is often revered as Dakshina Bhagirathi. Flowing through many famous places of worship, Pamba brings prosperity and good fortune to both its banks. The spiritual legends of the Pamba are deeply intertwined with Sabarimala and Swami Ayyappa.

Lord Ayyappa, also known as Manikandan, born to vanquish the demoness Mahishi, was discovered as an abandoned infant by King Rajasekaran of Pandalam on the banks of the Pamba. The river is inseparably linked with the pilgrimage to Sabarimala, its rituals and legends. To the devotees, Pamba is the "amrita vahini" (the carrier of nectar) that caresses the feet of Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims, who undertake the vow to meet Dharma Shasta residing in the forest, take a holy dip in the Pamba before climbing Neelimala, believing that this purifying bath washes away the sins of their past lives.

The holy bath is said to have taken place at the Triveni, the confluence of the three rivers Pamba, Kallar and Azhutha. It was on the banks of the Pamba that the king of Pandalam first laid his eyes on the baby, who grew up to be Lord Ayyappa. The legend also has it that Lord Ayyappa performed pithru tarpanam, or the ritual offerings to the dead souls.

Pamba, the third-largest river in Kerala, originates from the Pulachi Mala (mountain) in Sabarimala and flows into the Vembanad backwaters. Along its banks lie numerous places of worship, including the famous Aranmula temple. Archaeological remnants from the Stone Age have been discovered on the banks of the river, highlighting their historical significance and the rich cultural heritage associated with the Pamba riverside.