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These are the major temples associated with Sabarimala
Along the path to or in close proximity to Sabarimala, there are a few significant temples where devotees can seek blessings before or after their pilgrimage to the hill temple.
Valiya Koyikkal Temple at Pandalam is considered one of the original sites of the Sabarimala temple. This Dharma Shasta temple was constructed by the King of Pandalam on his return after the installation of the idol at the Sannidhanam. It is situated inside the palace premises. Tens of thousands of devotees offer worship at this temple too. It is from here that the Thiruvabharana ghoshayaatra, carrying the sacred jewellery to Sabarimala, starts.
Located on the banks of Kulathupuzha, a tributary of the Kallada river located in the Pathanapuram Taluk of Kollam district, the Kulathupuzha temple is one of the most renowned Ayyappa temples in Kerala. The deity is worshipped here in the form of “Bala Sastha”. One among the 108 shrines dedicated to Sastha in Kerala, the idol in Kulathupuzha temple is believed to have been installed by Lord Parusharama. The presiding deity is depicted in two forms here – one as an Ugramoorthuy (fierce form) and Mangalapradayakan (auspicious form). Other deities worshipped in this temple include Shiva, Vishnu, Ganapathi, Boothathan, Nagar, Yakshi and Karuppaswami
Nestled in a serene spot surrounded by lush green forests, Aryankavu Temple is located in the Kollam district of Kerala. The Lord is worshipped here as a teenager and is known as “Tiru Aryan”, therefore bestowing the place the name Aryankavu. The rituals and Poojas held in Aryankavu temple follows a Tamil tradition. Some of the other deities worshipped here include Devi and Lord Shiva.
The Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple is situated on the banks of the Achankovil river in the Kollam district of Kerala. Lord Ayyappa is depicted here as leading the “Grihasthashrama” life here, having married and seen with his two consorts Purna and Pushkala. The idol here is believed to have been installed by Lord Parashurama. The rituals and festivals in the temple has strong Tamil connections. The temple has been famed for curing bites by poisonous snakes. For this reason, the idol holds sandalwood paste and holy water on the left hand, owing to their medicinal properties.
Located in the village of Malayalapuzha in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, the Malayalapuzha Devi Temple is a holy shrine dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The temple has attained great importance in the history of Kerala as a centre of culture and heritage, attracting visitors from far and wide.
One of the classic examples of traditional Kerala architecture, the temple has a small Namaskara Mandapa, a chuttambalam and a Balikkalpura inside the temple. It is believed that the temple is more than 3,000 years old.
The idol of Bhadrakali is worshiped here, adorned in exquisite jewellery and colourful attire. The elaborate rituals and ceremonies performed here are a source of reverence to all the devotees to visit the temple. One of the most noted annual events that occur in the temple is the “Padayani – a vibrant cultural celebration that features grand processions, colourful masks, and traditional dance forms.
Located in Chengannur in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, the Chengannur Mahadeva Temple holds an important place among the temples in Kerala. It’s rich historical and cultural significance attracts visitors from far and wide. The temple is more than a thousand years old and is built in the traditional Kerala style of temple architecture, adorned with elaborate carvings and woodwork. It is believed that the builder of this amazing temple was ‘Perumthachan’ (master carpenter), who occupies a legendary status in Kerala’s architectural history.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Paravathy. The temple has a distinctive sanctum sanctorum with two main shrines - Lord Shiva facing East and the goddess facing the West. The temple has an amazing Koothambalam, intricately designed Mandapams and a stunning Mukhamandapam, all adorned with resplendent woodwork. One of the main festivals of this temple is the four-day long Thriputharattu, connected with menstruation of the Goddess. For this reason, the temple is also considered as a “Shakthi Peedam”.
Located in the middle of lush greenery, Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple is a classical example of a temple that provides spiritual bliss in a tranquil setting. One of the main Edathavalams on the way to Sabarimala, devotees to the Sannidhanam never miss their chance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, who is the presiding deity of this temple. Located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple, the architecture of this beautiful temple glorifies the rich artistic heritage of Kerala, featuring amazing carvings and elegant designs.
Lord Shiva is depicted here as being in two moods – one is the Ugramoorthy form (fierce form) and the other is the ‘Mangala Pradayakan’ form (auspicious form). The concept is that the Lord is bestowing blessings to his son Lord Ayyappa as ‘Mangala Pradayakan’ and at the same time fighting off the evils as the Ugramoorthy.
The Maha Shivarathri is one of the main festivals conducted in the temple.
Located on the banks of the Manimala river in the Kottayam district of Kerala, the Erumely Sree Dharmasastha Temple holds a prominent stature in the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The temple is dedicatd to Lord Ayyappa and is one of the important temples Sabarimala pilgrims would want to visit on their trip to Sannidhanam. The temple is a symobol of inclusivity and communal harmony and welcomes pilgrims of all faiths and religions. This harmony is evident in the festive ceremony of “Petta Thullal”, celebrated annually in the temple, where people of all religions come together to make the event a grand one.
There are two main temples in the town of Erumely – one is the Valiyambalam and the other is the Kochambalam. The temple is one of the important meeting points of Sabarimala devotees. The famous Vavar Masjid is also located close to the temple, where devotees offer their respects to Vavar who was believed to have been a close friend of Lord Ayyappa.
One among the most prominent Sastha temples in southern Kerala, the Rakthakanda Swamy temple is located in a village called Omallur in Pathanamthitta district. Constructed in the 8 th century, the temple is believed to be over 1200 years old. The main deity here is Lord Dharmasastha in the form of Rakthakanda Swamy. Devotees believe that the temple has the strong presence of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Parameshwara.
The Sabarimala season draws large crowds to this temple. . The all-important Thanka Anki procession held during the Mandalakaalam that starts out from the Aranmula Temple makes a halt at the Omallur Rakthakanda Swamy temple and spends a night there before setting out again to the Sabarimala temple. The temple is also a half-way house for devotees headed for Sabarimala as well. There is ample space and plenty of facilities available here for them to rest as well as virivekkaan [literally, unroll the bedding and rest]. On Uthram day of the Malayalam month Vrishchikam, the Annadhaanam ritual is held here at the temple to feed the devotees. This is widely known as the Uthrasadhya.
The annual festival of the Rakthakanda Swamy temple is held in the Malayalam month of Medam. The Uthram day of Medam month is considered to be the birthday of the deity here. The Nadaswaram and chain sculpted from rocks are two awe-inspiring sights here at the Omallur temple. On the Pallivetta day, the ninth day of the temple festival, people gather from far and near to witness the nadaswaram, carved from rock, being played. This is in fact a very important ritual of the temple festivities. The Omallur Vayal Vannibham [rural market] is held in the open paddy fieldsthat stretch out before the temple.
The only temple at which women can freely pray to Lord Ayyappa in all his holy adornments and glory is the Kakkattu Koikkal Sree Dharma Sastha temple at Ranni in Pathanamthitta district. The Makaravilakku procession that sets forth from the Pandalam Valiyakoyikkal temple with the holy ornaments (Thiruvabharanam) of Lord Ayyappa reaches Sabarimala after several halts and overnight stays at different temples along the way. The chest containing the Thiruvabharanam is not set down at any temple along the way to Sabarimala or on its return post festivities except at the Perinadu Shastha temple. After the Makaravilakku festivities at Sabarimala as the procession returns to Pandalam Valiyakoyikkal temple, it halts at the Kakkattu Koikkal Sree Dharma Sastha temple and the Thiruvabharanam is used to adorn the deity here at the Perinadu Shastha temple. Thousands of devotees including women gather each year to witness this rare sight. This is why the temple is often referred to as the Sabarimala for women.
When the Makaravilakku festivities at Sabarimala end, the five-day annual festival of the Perinadu temple commences. The festival starts on the Uthram day of the Malayalam month of Medam and lasts for five days. After Sabarimala, one among the few other temples that has the Nayattu Vili ritual is the Kakkad Koikkal temple. The temple is also a very important stops for devotees who are on their way to Sabarimala. All facilities and amenities including rooms, halls, toilets and even a kitchen for cooking are available here for Ayyappa devotees to make use of.