Routes To Ayyappan
Temple
By Train: You can arrive at Kottayam & Chengannur by
Railway (Broad gauge) and Punalur (Metre gauge) and from there by BUS to Pampa.
Nearest Railway Stations
Kottayam - (0481) 2563535
Chengannur - (0479) 2452340
Pamba Railway Enquiry Counter - (04735) 203605
*Please check for the latest timings with railways, as the timings may change from the date of writing this article.
Kottayam (Towards South)
Train No. Train Name Time
16348 Mangalapuram – Trivandrum Express
1.00
16344 Palakkad Town – Trivandrum Amrutha Express
2.55
12697 Chennai – Trivandrum Super Fast (Monday)
3.25
12695 Chennai – Trivandrum Super Fast Express
4.10
16630 Mangalapuram – Trivandrum Malabar Express
4.55
56305 Kottayam – Kollam (Passenger) 5.40
16381 Mumbai-Kanyakumari (Jayanthi Janatha Express)
6.25
16303 Ernakulam – Trivandrum Vanchinad Express
6.10
12623 Chennai – Trivandrum Mail 7.40
56385 Ernakulam – Kottayam Passenger 9.25
12081 Kozhikode – Trivandrum Jansathabdhi Express (Except Wednesday & Sunday)
10.51
12626 New Delhi – Trivandrum (Kerala Express)
11.05
16526 Bangalore – Kanyakumari (Island Express)
11.30
56387 Ernakulam – Kayamkulam Passenger
13.13
16327 Korba – Trivandrum Express (Monday, Friday)
14.20
16649 Mangalapuram – Trivandrum (Parasuram Express)
14.53
17230 Hyderabad – Trivandrum (Sabari Express)
15.10
16318 Jammuthavi – Himasagar Express (Thursday)
15.35
12660 Shalimar – Nagercoil Express – Gurudev (Friday)
16.55
12201 Lokmanyathilak – Kochuveli Sabareerath (Tuesday, Saturday – Via Konkan) 20.10
56393 Kottayam – Kollam Passenger
17.45
16301 Shornnur – Trivandrum (Venad Express)
18.33
56391 Ernakulam – Kollam Passenger
19.45
12516 Guvahathi – Trivandrum Express (Friday) 19 .05
56389 Ernakulam – Kottayam Passenger 22.00
16333 Veraval – Trivandrum Express (Friday – Via Konkan)
2.20
16311 Bickaneer – Kochuveli Express (Thursday – Via Konkan
2.20
16335 Gandhidham – Nagercoil Express (Saturday – Via Konkan)
2.20
12777 Yeswanthpur – Kochuveli Super Fast Express (Thursday)
3.25
12257 Yeswanthpur – Kochuveli Sabarirath Express (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 9.30
12288 Dehradoon – Kochuveli Express (Wednesday, Via Konkan)
15.28
Chengannur (Towards South)
Train No. Train Name Time
16311 Bickeneer – Trivandrum Express (Friday) 0.20
16333 Veraval – Trivandrum Express (Saturday) 0.20
16335 Gandhidham – Nagercoil Express (Sunday) 0.20
16348 Mangalapuram – Trivandrum Express 1.40
16344 Palakkad – Trivandrum (Amrutha Express) 3.35
12777 Hoobli – Kochuveli Express (Thursday) 4.00
12695 Chennai – Trivandrum Super Fast 4.50
16630 Mangalapuram – Trivandrum Malabar Express 5.40
56305 Kottayam – Kollam Passenger ç 6.20
16303 Ernakulam-Trivandrum (Vanchinad Express) 6.50
16381 Mumbai – Kanyakumari (Jayanthi Janatha Express) 7.15
12623 Chennai – Trivandrum Mail 8.30
12257 Yeswanthapuram – Kochuveli Sabareerath Express (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 10.07
12081 Kozhikode – Trivandrum Janshathabdhi Express (Except Wednesday & Sunday) 11.25
12626 Newdelhi – Trivandrum Kerala Express 11.45
16526 Bangalore – Kanyakumari Island Express 12.10
12288 Dehradoon – Kochuveli Express (Wednesday) 12.30
56387 Ernakulam – Kayamkulam Passenger 13.55
16649 Mangalapuram – Trivandrum Parasuram Express 15.35
17230 Hyderabad-Trivandrum Sabari Express 15.55
16327 Korba-Trivandrum Express (Monday, Friday) 15.00
16318 Jammuthavi – Kanyakumari Himasagar Express (Thursday)
16.20
12209 Lokmanyathilak-Kochuveli Sabarirath Express (Tuesday, Saturday) 17.35
12660 Shalimar-Nagercoil Gurudev Express (Friday) 17.35
56393 Kottayam – Kollam Passenger 18.35
16301 Shornnur- Trivandrum Venad Express 19.13
56391 Ernakulam – Kollam Passenger 20.25
12516 Guvahathi-Trivandrum Express (Friday) 19.50
Kottayam (Towards North)
Train No. Train Name Time
16347 Trivandrum – Mangalapuram Express 23.58
16343 Trivandrum – Palakkad Town Amrutha Express 1.30
56385 Kottayam – Ernakulam Passenger 5.25
1352 Kollam – Ernakulam Passenger 6.40
16328 Trivandrum – Korba Express (Monday, Thursday) 8.35
16302 Trivandrum – Shornnur Venad Express 8.18
16650 Trivandrum –Mangalapuram Parasuram Express 9.40
17229 Trivandrum – Hyderabad Sabari Express 10.20
56394 Kollam-Kottayam Passenger 10.50
12202 Kochuveli-Lokmanyathilak Sabareerath (Sunday, Thursday (Via Konkan) 11.30
16382 Kanyakumari – Mumbai Jayanthi Janatha Express 11.40
12625 Trivandrum – New Delhi Kerala Express 14.10
12515 Trivandrum – Guvahathi Express (Sunday) 15.45
16525 Kanyakumari – Bangalore Island Express 16.25
12082 Trivandrum-Kozhikode Janshathabdhi Express (Except Tuesday, Saturday) 16.50
56390 Kottayam – Ernakulam Passenger 17.15
12624 Trivandrum – Chennai Mail 17.35
56388 Kayamkulam – Ernakulam Passenger 17.50
16334 Trivandrum – Veraval (Monday, (via) Konkan) 18.25
16336 Nagercoil-Gandhidham Express (Tuesday-Via Konkan) 18.25
16312 Kochuveli – Bickaneer Express (Saturday-Via Konkan) 18.25
16317 Kanyakumari – Jammuthavi (Friday) Himasagar 19.10
12659 Nagarcoil – Shalimar Gurudev Express (Sunday) 19.10
56304 Nagercoil – Kottayam Passenger 19.50
12696 Trivandrudm – Chennai Super Fast Express 20.25
16304 Trivandrudm – Ernakulam Vanchinad 20.50
16629 Trivandrudm – Mangalapuram Malabar Express 22.15
12698 Trivandrudm – Chennai Central Super Fast (Saturday) 23.05
12287 Kochuveli – Dehradoon (Friday (via Konkan) 11.30
12778 Kochuveli – Yeswanthpur Super Fast Express (Thursday) 15.45
12258 Kochuveli – Yeswanthpur Sabareerath Express (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Chengannur (Towards North)
Train No. Train Name Time
16343 Trivandrum – Palakkad (Amrutha Express) 0.40
56392 Kollam - Ernakulam Passenger 5.40
16302 Trivandrum - Shornnur (Venad Express) 7.25
16328 Trivandrum - Korba Express (Monday, Thursday) 7.45
16650 Trivandrum - Mangalapuram (Parasuram Express) 8.45
56394 Kollam - Kottayam Passenger 9.15
17229 Trivandrum - Hyderabad (Sabari Express) 9.30
12202 Kochuveli-LokmanyathilakSabarirath(Sunday,Thursday) 10.40
12287 Kochuveli - Dehradoon Express (Friday) 10.40
16382 Kanyakumari - Mumbai Jayanthi Janatha Express 10.30
12625 Trivandrum – New Delhi Kerala Express 13.20
12515 Trivandrum – Guwahati Express (Sunday) 14.50
2778 Kochuveli – Hoobli Express (Thursday) 14.50
16525 Kochuveli – Bangalore Island Express 15.25
12082 Trivandrum- Kozhikode Janasathabdhi (Tuesday,Saturday) 16.12
12624 Trivandrum – Chennai Mail 16.35
56388 Kayamkulam – Ernakulam Passenger 17.07
16312 Trivandrum – Bikkaneer Express (Saturday) 17.15
16334 Trivandrum – Veraval Express (Monday) 17.15
16336 Nagercoil – Gandhidham Express (Tuesday) 17.15
16317 Kanyakumari- Jammuthavi Himasagar Express (Friday) 18.15
12659 Nagercoil – Shalimar Gurudev Express (Sunday) 18.15
56304 Nagercoil – Kottayam Passenger 18.40
12258 Kochuveli-Yeswanthapuram-SabarinathExpress(Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 19.10
12696 Trivandrum – Chennai Super Fast 19.30
16304 Trivandrum – Ernakulam Vanchinadu Express 20.00
16629 Trivandrum – Mangalapuram Malabar Express 21.10
16347 Trivandrum – Mangalapuram Express 23.12
By Flight: You can reach Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin & Nedumbassery by Air and from there reach Pampa by BUS/CAR/Personal Vehicle.
- 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.
From Pampa to Sabaimala Sannidhanam is just 8 km from Pampa.
By Bus: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Bus Schedule & Services
Motorable road routes (Bus route):
From To Distance
Erumeli Pampa 56 Kms
Kottayam Erumeli 72 Kms
Kottayam Pampa 128 Kms
Chengannoor Pampa 93 Kms
Thiruvalla Pampa 99 kms
Ernakulam Pampa (via) Kottayam 200 Kms
Alleppy Pampa (via) A.C. Road 137 Kms
Punalur Pampa 105 Kms
Pathanamthitta Pampa 69 Kms
Pandalam Pampa 84 kms
Thiruvananthapuram Pampa 175 Kms
Ernakulam Erumeli (via) Palai, Ponkunnam 175 Kms
Different routes to Sabarimala (0929 North 7706 East)
(i) The Traditional Forest Route (From Erumely to sannidanam)
Pilgrims
going through the forest route are comparatively less during the first phase of
the pilgrim
season, that is, during the Mandala Pooja season, between the 1st Vrischikam (mid- November)
and the 11th Dhanu (end of December); but during the Maka-samkrama phase
beginning from the 1st January, a large number of pilgrims go by this route.
Till about
two decades ago, the pilgrims taking to the forest route used to step directly
into the forests
immediately after Erumely, but now he has to walk at least 4 kms through public
roads before
entering the forests. On the way there is a broad stream called Peroorthodu,
once considered the boundary
that separated the inhabited land from the forests. But now villages extend
from here up to a
place called Irumpoonnikara, 3 kms eastwards. At Irumpoonnikkara there are
three temples,
dedicated to
Lord Shiva, Sri Subrahmanya and Goddess Balabhadra Devi. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa rested at peroorthodu during his expedition. It is from here the rise begins. Giving alms here is important. By giving alms, one is disposing of all dharma and seeking asylum in Ayyappa. The forest beyond Perurthodu is poongavanam, the blooming grove of Lord Ayyappa. (Ayyappan's garden).
After about
3 kms walk, crossing some of the gentle forest streams, the pilgrim reaches a place of
rest known as Arasumudikotta , where it is believed that Ayyappa and his
soldiers took rest for some
time. It is a place of worship of the Guardian Deities of the forests and there
is a small shrine for
them. Then the pilgrim proceeds ahead through a forest path that lies along the
side of a river called
Paarathode.
The
traditional forest route to Sabarimala covers the following places. (1) Erumely
(2)
Peroorthodu,
(3) Irumpoonikkara (4) Arasumudikotta (5) Kalaketti (6) Azhutha (7) River
Azhutha (8) Kallidumkunnu
(9) Inchippara (10) Mukkuzhi (11) Kariyilamthodu (12) Karimala peak (13)
Valiyanathavalam (14) Cheriyanathavalam
(15) River Pampa.
An important
centre of pilgrimage in the forests, after leaving Erumely, is a place called Kalaketti, about 11 kms from there. After climbing one or two hill
slopes the path to Kalaketti is rather even.
It is a sacred spot and there is a temple of Lord Siva. In the vast space
around the temple, the pilgrims
take rest under the big forest trees. The legend says that Lord Shiva, Ayyappa's father, came on his ox and tied it here and witnessed Lord Ayyappa killing Mahishi. There is a shrine where the pilgrims light camphor and break coconuts.
Azhutha, which is on the bank of a river known by the same name,
about 2 ½ kms from Kaalaketti,
is another major resting place of the pilgrims. The river, Azhutha is a
tributary of the river Pampa.
Many of the pilgrims camp at the place during night, and there are a number of temporary sheds
that provide accommodation. In Azhutha there is a temple complex of various Deities. A
special ritualistic ceremony performed here is Aazhi-pooja, which is a
prayerful walking around a
huge pile of fire, chanting aloud “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa ”. The holy
bath in the river Azhutha is a part of the pilgrimage. While making a dip, the pilgrim, as
a ritualistic custom, takes a pebble from the river which he later drops on
reaching a place called
Kallidumkunnu, which literally means the hill where the stone is dropped, on
the top of a mountain to
which the pilgrim climbs next.
Walking
through the rather shallow river, the pilgrim reaches the other side and makes
about a 3 kms
climb of a mountainside called Azhuthamedu. This is one of the three major
steep climbs of the
pilgrimage. The
Azhuthamedu climb culminates at Kallidumkunnu and Inchippara, a little
way from Kallidumkunnu.
At Kallidumkunnu the pilgrim reverentially drops the pebble that he had picked
up from the
river Azhutha.
According to
the Puraanic lore, it is believed that Kallidumkunnu is the place where Mahishi’s
body lay buried. This is done as the mortal remains of Mahishi was cast off here and filled with stones. The historical point of view evolved from the old Ayyappan
Pattukal, the ballads on
Ayyappa, says that there were deep trenches that protected Udayanan’s fortress
at Inchippara,
and Ayyappa’s soldiers, who carried stones from and around the river Azhutha,
filled up these
trenches. The ritual of dropping the stone seems to commemorate that event.
Walking a
short distance from Kallidumkunnu over level ground, the pilgrim reaches Inchippara.
There is a temple for the Guardian Deity Sri Inchippara Mooppan (Kotayil Sastha shrine). Pilgrims offer prayers here and break coconuts. This is a
place of rest for the
pilgrims who take refreshments or cook food.
Now the
pilgrim has to climb down a steep mountain slope that ends in a valley called
Mukkuzhi, another ideal resting place. At Mukkuzhi there is a
temple of Divine Mother.
There is now
an 11 kms, trek through thick foothill forests to reach the lofty mountain,
Karimala. On
the way there are a few places for rest and some temporary catering sheds where Kanji, the
rice gruel, boiled tapioca with salad, tea etc., are available. These deep
forests are ordinarily
the regions where the denizens of the wilderness freely roam about, but they
discreetly keep away
when man dominates their havens once in a year for a few days. The pilgrim can
see the droppings of
wild elephants and other animals on the way. The blooming forests are a feast
to the eyes.
Eventually
the pilgrim reaches the banks of the stream Kariyilaamthodu in the valley of
the mountain Karimala.
If he had started from Azhutha about 7 A.M he would be reaching Kariyilaamthodu
by 1 P. M. There are temporary sheds where the pilgrims can take rest. Many of them take
bath in the forest stream, cook food or have it from the catering sheds.
Then the pilgrim
crosses Kariyilaamthodu and walks about 3 kms through dense forests of the valley
of Karimala. Then starts one of the most arduous climbs of the pilgrimage to
reach the mountain
top. While the Azhuthamedu involves almost one straight stretch of climb, the
mountain of Karimala has
to be climbed in seven stages. It is said
in the Ayyappa lore that atop Karimala there was a formidable fort of the
brigand chief
Udayanan and by conquering the fort and destroying Udayanan and his hordes, the
ultimate aim of
Ayyappa’s expedition was achieved – the liberation of the temple of Sri Dharma
Saastha of Sabarimala.
In Karimala, there are places for the worship of the deities Vana Dur ga, Karimalanaathan
and Kochu Kadutha, who was one of the chieftains of Ayyappa. There are two ancient
wells on the top of Karimala. It is believed that Ayyappa and his soldiers
quenched their thirst from
these wells. It is interesting to see the Nazhikkinar - a well within a well with fresh spring like water.
Reaching the
top of Karimala, the pilgrim takes rest for sometime and then starts the
adventurous
climb down through very narrow and zigzag paths flanked by dense forests. At
last, stepping
into the valleys of Karimala the pilgrim reaches a plain grassland interspersed
with shrubs and the
place is known as Valiyaanavattam. At the southeastern corner of this
place there is a raised platform
which is the resting place for those who carry the Thiruvaabharanam, the
ornaments, brought from
the palace of Pandalam to adorn the idol of the Lord, during Makara-Samkrama
Pooja.
Moving
further the pilgrim reaches a spot called Cheriyaanavattam , another
place with tall forest trees. Now
the pilgrim walks along the banks of a tributary of the river Pampa.
The pilgrim
reaches then the extensive area of the Pampa river bed. The region is
also
known as
Pampa. The Ayyappa lore has it that king Rajasekhara of Pandalam found the
child Ayyappa on
the banks of this river. Here, there are hundreds of camp sheds for the
pilgrims to stay. Some of the
pilgrims would stay for two or three days in this pious atmosphere on the banks
of Pampa
forgetting all their mundane affairs and immersing themselves in reading holy
texts, prayer and
mediation.
On reaching
Pampa, the pilgrims, after setting their camps, take a holy dip in the river,
Pampa. The Pampa river is as holy as the Ganges. The Pampa water purifies one from curse and evil. Many
of them perform the rite Pithrubali, the propitiatory rites for the
ancestors, expressing their love
and regard for those who had passed away.
An important
function which the pilgrims, who come in groups, arrange here is the ritua
listic feast called
Pampaa-sadya, a sumptuous feast commemorating the feast Ayyappa and his
soldiers arranged at
the banks of Pampa to celebrate the liberation of Sabarimala temple. The
pilgrims believe that there
will be the presence and participation of Lord Ayyappa as an unseen guest in
the feast.
There is a
festival of light on the banks of Pampa a day before the most important Makarasamkrama pooja called Pampa Vilakku. This also commemorates the
victory celebration on the banks of
Pampa conducted after the defeat of Uadayanan. Innumerable camps of pilgrims
are illuminated
with oil lamps and candles on this occasion.
Climbing the
mountain Neelimala is the next phase of the pilgrimage. At first the
pilgrim
climbs the
steps to reach the shrine of Sri Ganesha popularly known as kannemula ganapathi at the foot of the mountain and
worships there before
climbing Neelimala. This is the third steep climb of the pilgrimage, when the
pilgrim takes to the
traditional route. But for those who reach Pampa by vehicles, this is the only
climb. (There is
another
route to be trekked by foot via Vandiperiyar that directly reaches Sabarimala
without touching
Pampa). From Pampa, Sabarimala is about 6 kms away. The pilgrims who a re
unable to climb,
engage Dollies, the special carriers borne by a team of four persons. Near Sri
Ganesha temple there is a
camp of the king of Pandalam, the descendant of the foster father of Ayyappa,
who stays there for a
few days during the pilgrimage season. The pilgrims receive sacred ash from the
king.
On the top
of Neelimala there is a spot called Appaachimedu, on both sides of which
there are very
steep gorges - Appachi kuzhi and Ippachi kuzhi. Appaachimedu is considered to be the seat of evil spirits and the
pilgrims propitiate
them by throwing offerings of rice-powder balls into the gorges. It is believed that this offering is done to the evil deities who are captured by Kaduvaran, a securityof Lord Ayyappa.
Now the
great climb is over. The pilgrim is getting closer to his destination. Walking
a short distance
from Appachimedu, he reaches a level ground and there is the sacred spot, Sabaripeedam. This was the place where Sabari, in Sri Rama's era, performed Tapas. Therefore,
the whole region including the location of the sacred shrine of Lord Ayyappa is
known as Sabarimala,
the Hill of Sabari. The pilgrims make offerings and worship at the holy spot.
About a
kilometre from Sabaripeedam is another sacred spot known as Saramkuthiyaal, which means
the banyan tree under which the arrows are to be dr opped. This is a spot,
where, it is believed,
Ayyappa and his soldiers discarded their weapons after the liberation of
Sabarimala temple from the
domination of Udayanan. Kanniswamy leave the wooden arrow they picked from Erumeli here.
The pilgrim
has now come very close to the temple at Sannidhanam and the whole region is vibrant with
loud chanting of the pilgrims and the explosion of the fire works offerings in
the shrine.
Pathinettaampadi - the magnificent sight
With an
overwhelming sense of fulfillment, the pilgrim speeds up his pace and beholds
from a distance
the eighteen sacred steps, the shrine and the golden flagstaff. A divine thrill
overwhelms his very
being. The temple is located on a hillock in the midst of a vast valley
surrounded on all sides by the
mountain ranges covered with lush forests.
The pilgrim
has to climb eighteen sacred steps, the Pathinettaampadi, to reach the
Sannidhanam, the Presence of Lord Ayyappa. The Golden steps are such a magnificent sight. Only those
who have observed forty-one days of austerities and carry the Irumudikettu ,
the sacred
package of offerings, on the head are supposed to climb these sacred steps.
Those who do not carry the Irumudikettu
are not allowed to climb them. They can use the flight of steps at the
northern side to
reach the temple precincts.
Sannidhaanam, the Divine Presence
Climbing the
Sacred steps, the pilgrim reaches the focussing point of his austerities, the
very goal of his
pilgrimage – the Presence (Sannidhanam). He stands immersed in Bliss in the
glorious Presence of
Lord Ayyappa vibrant with Divine Grace. The doors within open to Eternity and
the reassuring
Grace Divine, which makes him more free, harmonious and peaceful.
Now the
pilgrim moves towards the shrine of Lord Karthikeya, for worship. Then he
proceeds
southwards to worship the Divine Mother, Maalikappuratrh-amma, whose shrine is
located a little
away towards the left side of Lord Ayyappa’s shrine. The main offering here is
the rolling of the coconut
around the shrine. Behind the shrine of Malikappurath-amma, a little away
towards the east is a
structure called Manimandapam, where the representative of the king of
Pandalam takes rest on his
arrival in Sabarimala. On its left is the seat of the Deities, Kochu Kadutha
Swami and Karuppa Swami. There
are also places of worship of the Divine Serpents and the nine Planetary
Deities.
Towards the
south-west corner is a compartment within which is a sculptured figure of a
goat and an inscription
‘Shiva-thejomayam’.
After the
worship, the pilgrim prepares for a symbolic pouring of his love and his very
being into the
Supreme Source of all existence, represented by the splendours idol of Lord
Ayyappa, by the libation of
it with the ghee contained in the Nei-thenga that he has brought. This
is called Neiabhishekam.
The pilgrim
settles at a convenient place in the sacred precincts and opens the Irumudikettu. The coconut
filled with ghee is taken out from it. He breaks the coconut and drains out the
ghee into vessel.
Carrying this vessel, he joins a separate queue meant for Neyyabhishekam.
The
spiritual disciplines during the austerities, the journey through mountain
terrains
breathing
fresh air and the mind absorbed in thoughts on the Lord, reinforces the whole
being of the pilgrim. The
experience gives him a deeper vision about life. And if he intensifies this
awakening through
further spiritual expansion, it will bring about profound evolutionary
transformation of life.
Every
pilgrim will certainly gain a cultural and spiritual refinement, which may of
course, vary with different
individuals according to the range of receptivity.
Other routes to Sabarimala
Pilgrims
going to Sabarimala from different parts reach Plappally; from there, there is
only one way to
Pampa.
From Kottayam to Pampa: There are the
following routes:
[1] Changanacherry-Thiruvalla- Pathanamthitta
127 kms
[2] Changanacherry-Thiruvalla-Kozhencherry-RanniBlockpadi- Vadasserikkara-Pampa
119 kms
[3] Kodungoor -Chamampathal-Manimala-Placherry-Chethomkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa
105 kms
[4] Kangazha-Pathanad-Manimala-Placherry-Chethomkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa
104 kms
[5] Karukachal–Manimala-Mukkada-Edamon-Athikayam- Perunad-Pampa
100 kms
[6] Ponkunnam-Erumely-Mukkottuthara-Pampavali-Plappally -Pampa 90 kms.
Erumely to Pampa:
[1]
Karimkallummyzhy-Thulappally -Plappally -Pampa 56 kms (Because of the steep
ascent, this route is not suitable for heavy vehicles)
[2] Mukkuda
-Athikkayam-Perunad-Pampa 64 kms
[3]
Vechuchira-Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa 57 kms
[4] Erumely-Placherry-Chethornkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa
69 kms. From the north, pilgrims can reach Pampa via Erumely without touching
Kottayam by taking the route via Ettumannor -Pala -Ponkunnam-Erumely
-Chethomkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa
153kms. Many
Pilgrims from Ernakulam region take the route via Alappuzha-Changanacherry- Thiruvalla–Pathanamthitta
-Mannarakulanji-Vadasserikara-Perunad-Plappalli-Nilackal-Chalakayam- Pampa 69
kms.
Chengannur to Pampa:
[1]
Aranmula-Thekkamala-Pathanamthitta -Vadasserikkara-Pampa 93 kms.
[2] Aranmula
-Ranni Blockpady-Vadasserikkara-Pampa 69 kms. Chengannur is the nearest railway station to Sabarimala.
Pandalam to Pampa: Kaippattur-Omallur-Pathanamthitta-Vadasserikkara-Pampa
84 kms.
Thiruvanathapuram to Pampa
[1]
Ayoor-Punalur-Pathanamthitta to Pampa 184 kms
[2] Kottarakkara-Adoor-Pathanamthitta
and onwards179 kms.
