Sabarimala Sree DharmaSastha Temple is a Hindu Pilgrimage temple in Sabarimala hills in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, India. The temple’s name was changed to Sri Ayyappa Swamy Temple in November 2016 and again changed to its original name in 2017. It is also known as Ayappan Temple, Aiyappa Mandir, and Ayappan Koil.

Sabarimala Temple.

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is one of the most visited religious places in the world. Around 40 million to 50 million people visit the shrine annually. 

Sabarimala Sree DharmaSastha Temple is believed to be the place where Lord Ayyappa or Lord Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness Mahishi.

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Appyappa Temple is situated amidst 18 hills. This Dharma Sastha Temple is 1535 feet above sea level amid thick forests and mountains. The Holy River Pampa originates from Sabarimala.

The temple website allows Online Service booking. The pilgrims must book for the Darshan (sighting the deity) in advance. It is called Sabarimala Virtual-Q Booking.

Sabarimala Temple Festival & Other Details

The main festival of the Saraimala temple is called Makkaravilakku. It is generally on January 14th (or 15th). Makkaravilakku is seeing Makarajyothi on the faraway hills opposite the temple.

Sabarimala Sri Dharma Sastha Temple is open during Mandala pooja season alias Makaravilakku season’
It is also open for six days during each Malayalam calendar month beginning), which usually falls between the middle of November and January next year.

Sabarimala temple used to be closed for almost a week until a few years back, during the last week of December. Sabarimala Sree DharmaSastha Temple is now closed only for three days during the end of December.

On the Makkaravilakku day, Lord Aiyappa is decorated with gold ornaments from Pandalam Palace (where Lord Aiyappa was born), and special Poojas are conducted. Devotees rush to see the fully decorated Lord Aiyappan at this time. The ornaments, known as Thiruvabharam, are brought annually from Pandalam Palace. Pandlathu Thampuran, a representative of the Pandalam Palace, accompanies it. Thousands of Ayappa devotees travel with the Thiruvabharam. Police escort is also provided. The travel from Pandalam takes three days to reach Sabarimala temple.

Sabarimala Sree DharmaSastha Temple devotees have a dress code that is either black, blue, or saffron. Men are allowed inside the temple irrespective of age. Women between 10 and 50 years of age are not allowed.

Golden Attire called Thanka Anki

The Aranmula Dewasam Board office, situated in front of the centuries-old Aranmula Parthasarathy temple, houses the golden attire (known as Thanka Anki in Malayalam) of Lord Aiyappan. Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is among the oldest (more than 800 years old) and most important Krishna temples in Kerala; on your way to Sabarimala from the Chenganoor railway station.

According to legend, Lord Aiyappan carried Tiger’s milk for his sick mother at his father’s request. He landed at Aranmula. Lord Aiyappan traveled from Sabrimala on a six-bamboo-tied ferry through the holy river Pamaba. God Ayappan landed at the back side of the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple.

Aru, in many south Indian languages, means River. Mula means Bamboo. Thus, Aranmula got its name.

Vritham (Penance) for the Pilgrims

Ayyappa devotees have to undertake 41 days of Vritham (penance) strictly. Only then, they are expected to visit the temple by climbing the 18 steps. Those not undertaking the penance have a different walkway close to the temple to offer prayers to the deity, Lord Ayappan.

On these penance days, devotees should not eat non-vegetarian food, consume alcohol or tobacco, or engage in sexual thinking or activities. Also, they are not allowed to shave or cut hair.  They must visit the nearby temple every morning and evening. They also have to take a bath early in the morning and evening.

Lord Ayyappa’s Personal Post Office

Other than the President of India, only one person has their own Postal Index Number (PIN) in India. That is Lord Aiyappa. It is functional for three months only. i.e., during the primary pilgrimage season of Mandala pooja/ Makaravilakku season only. The PIN of Lord Aiyappan is 689713. The authorities opened this post office in 1963.

The specialty of the postal seal at the Sacrimala Aiyappan Post Office includes the image of the Deity of Lord Aiyappan on the top portion of the 18 steps leading to the temple’s sanctum sanctorum (see the next sub-heading for further details).

Many devotees stand in the queue at this post office to have this postal seal stamped on letters to their homes or relatives. This post office also receives thousands of letters and money orders. Most of the letters contain prayers for fulfilling their wishes. Lord Aiyappan also received housewarming and wedding invitations. Some people even share their love affairs with Lord Aiyappan through letters to him!

All these letters and money orders are first submitted to the deity and then handed over to the Sabarimala temple’s executive officer by the Sabarimala post office. The Pathanamthitta Postal Superintendent’s office receives the postal seal once the festival season ends.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation of Sabarimala Temple Postal Seal

The initial postal seal of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple was without any image, as seen on the left side. Subsequently, the Indian postal department canceled that and made a Permanent Pictorial Cancellation.

i.e., Possibly on 25/12/1980, they canceled and replaced the image of the Sabarimala postal seal on the left with a new one, as seen on the right side

How Do I Go to Sabarimala Sree DharmaSastha Temple?

One can reach Sabarimala Sri Dharma Sastha Temple by road up to Pamba. From Pampa, one is expected to walk. Dolly is there for those unable to walk. You must pay the necessary charges for that service.

The nearest railway station is Chenganoor, around 75 km away. Kerala State Government buses are available inside the Chenganoor railway station premises. The railway station code for Chenganoor railway station is CNGR.

Those interested in resting or staying overnight can stay at home-stay facilities available at Aranmula or Pathanamthitta, both en route to Sabarimala. Chenganoor Homestay or Kozhencherry homestay is also available.

Many devotees prefer Kottayam railway station, which is also convenient for Sabarimala pilgrimage. Kerala state government buses are available inside the Kottayam railway station premises also. Not much distance is there between Kottayam and Chenganoor (35 minutes journey between the two railway stations). Chenganachery and Tiruvalla stations are the two main stations in between. Another small railway station, Chingavanam, is between Kottayam and Chenganacherry, where none of the long-distance trains stop. Ettumanoor Mahadevar temple at Ettumanoor is a famous temple very near to Kottayam.

Punalur railway station is around 100 kilometers from the Sabarimala temple.

Nedumbrassery International Airport (Cochin Airport) is the nearest airport. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the capital city of Kerala state is also at the same distance from the world-famous Sabarimala Temple.

Recommended Reading

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer –  I get commissions for purchases made through the “Recommended reading” affiliate link shown above.