Sabarimala Temple

Travel Sabarimala :Perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala, Sabarimala India is situated high up in the Sahyadri Mountains. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad. Donot forget to take exclusive Sabarimala temple photos.

Sabarimala Timings
Opening of Sanctum Sanctorum :3.00 a.m. Closing of Sanctum Sanctorum :1.30 p.m.

Where is Sabarimala Kerala

Sabarimala Temple Opening Dates and Closing Dates
Mandalapooja : (Opening)16.11.2011 (Closing)27.12.2011 Mandalapooja : (Opening)27.12.2011 Makaravikaku Festival : (Opening)30.12.2011 (Closing) 20.01.2012 Makaravilaku : (Opening)15.01.2012 Monthly Pooja (Kumbham) : (Opening)13-02-2012 (Closing) 18-02-2012 Monthly Pooja (Meenam) : (Opening)13-03-2012 (Closing) 18-03-2012 Utsavam Kodiyettam :(Opening)27-03-2012 Vishu Mahotsavam: (Opening)10-04-2012 (Closing)18-04-2012 Utsavam Arattu-Painkuni Uthram: (Opening)05-04-2012 Vishu Darsanam : (Opening)14-04-2012 Monthly Pooja (Edavam) :1(Opening)4-05-2012 (Closing)19-05-2012 Prathishtha Dinam/ Idol installation Day:(Opening)30-05-2012 (Closing)31-05-2012 Monthly Pooja(Midhunam) :(Opening)14-06-2012 (Closing)19-06-2012 Monthly Pooja(Karkitakam)(Opening)15-07-2012 (Closing) 20-07-2012 Monthly Pooja(Chingam) :(Opening)16-08-2012(Closing) 21-08-2012 Onam (Opening)27-08-2012 (Closing)31-08-2012 Monthly Pooja (Kanni):(Opening) 16-09-2012 (Closing)21-09-2012

Birth Of Ayyappa
Various legends explain the birth of Ayyappa, among them that he was born to battle the demons of Kerala's hill tribes. Brought up by a childless tribal king, Ayyappa performs many miracles. After fulfilling the purpose of his incarnation, Ayyappa entered the inner sanctum of the ancient temple upon sacred Mt Sabari and disappeared. During his life, Ayyappa reportedly kept the company of tigers and leopards. Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is not to miss onnthe tour to Kerala.

Sabarimala Temple History
TThe members of Pandya dynasty ousted by Thirumala Naicker the ruler of the erstwhile Pandya Empire spanning Madurai, Thirunelveli and Ramanathapuram lived in places like Valliyur, Tenkasi, Shengottah, Achankovil and Sivagiri. They had also established their supremacy in parts of Travancore, and some of them belonging to Chempazhanattu Kovil in Sivagiri were given the right to rule the country of Pandalam by the King of Travancore, some eight hundred years ago. King Rajashekara, the foster-father of Lord Ayyappan belonged to this dynasty.

Pilgrimage To Sabarimala
The Sabarimala temple Kerala attracts the maximum pilgrims on the first day of the 'Makharam' month on January 17, when a celestial light appears on top of a nearby hill. Thousands arrive just to see the light, which is considered sacred. All the devotees, after taking a holy dip in the river, trek to the hilltop temple. Before beginning the pilgrimage to Sabarimala, pilgrims prepare themselves with 41 days of rigorous fasting, celibacy, meditation and prayer. The standard items that are carried to the temple include a coconut filled with ghee and two other coconuts that are broken in front of the temple.