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How to reach Sabarimala?
[#train]The nearest railway stations are at Kottayam, Thiruvalla and Chengannur (about 90 kilometres from Sabarimala). Take bus/cab to Pamba where the trek path starts.
[#bus] KSRTC operate frequent bus services to Pamba & Erumeli. Fist arrive at a nearby town ( like Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thiruvalla ,Chengannur etc) by bus or train. Then board a bus.

[#road]

[#flight] Kochi (COK) or Thiruvananthapuram ( TRV) are nearest airports for Sabarimala.

Achankovil Temple

This Sastha Temple in Achankovil dedicated is to Lord Ayyappa is located deep in the forest in Kollam. According the the local beliefs Lord Parasurama consecrated this temple. Lord Ayyappa's idol is in Grihasthashrami form with his two consorts Poorna and Pushkala.

Achankovil Temple timings:
Forenoon Darshanam : 5am to 12pm
Afternoon Darshanam : 5pm to 8pm

How to reach Achankovil Temple?

[#cab]Achankovil is a village located deep inside Western Ghats forest range in Kollam.
The easiest way is to reach Shenkottai and drive via Panpoli to Achankovil ( 28km). Suggest people from driving from Kerala to use this route, via Shenkottai as the rod condition is better compared to other two routes below.
The next best route is Punalur to Achankovil via Karavoor and Mullumala (42km) . Drive towards Pathanapuram. Take the diversion at Alimukku to Karvoor. After Mulluamula village, take right towards Achankovil village.
The third route is Konni to Achankovil via Kalleli (42km). On google map this appears as the shortest route. This is a very difficult to drive forest route. Avoid this route if you are a novice to high range driving. This route more or less along the Achankovil river.

[#bus] KSRTC operate many daily trips to Achankovil via Sengottai. Also a few trips to Achankovil via Karavoor and Mullumala.

Kulathupuzha Temple

This temple in Kulathupuzha is dedicated to Bala-Sastha, the child form of Ayyappa. Locally, people worship the deity as 'Kulathupuzha Balakan', meaning the Child of Kulathupuzha. The temple legend is intertwined with fishes in a nearby river.

Kulathupuzha Temple Timings

How to reach Kulathupuzha Temple?
[#car]Kulathupuzha is 12 km from Thenmala. Take the NH744 between Thenmala & Tenkasi. At Thenmala take the diversion to Kulathupuzha.
[#bus]There are frequent bus services (KSRTC) to Kulathupuzha from Kollam, Punalur and Anchal.

Aryankavu Temple

Sastha is depicted as a young boy sitting on an elephant with right leg hanging and left leg being in a folded position, along with his consort Shri Pushkala Devi on the left side and Lord Shiva on the right.

How to reach Aryankavu Temple?
[#car]Aryankavu is near Thenmala. Take the NH744 between Thenmala & Tenkasi. The highway passess throgh Aryankavu. The temple is a short walk from the highway side.
[#bus]All the buses between Kerala & Tamilnadu on the Thenmala-Sengottai route stops near the temple. KSRTC & TNSTC operate frequent services in this route.
[#train]Board any passenger train between Kollam (QLN) and Sengottai (SCT). Get down at Aryankavu railway station. Temple is walkable from the railway station.

Board the Madurai-Kollam Express ( Train Number: 16101) get down at Sengottai, located 15km away from Thenmala. Then board bus to Aryankavu (1hour journey ).

Aryankavu is on the way to sabarimala for pilgrims traveling from Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.

Kanthamala Temple

The most mysterious temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located somewhere near Ponnambalamedu, but nobody knows its exact location. People assume that it is in the deep forest area.

Ayyappa is in the vanaprasta form, its believed, which makes the location oblivious.

Why Sabarimala is unique?
Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is a unique temple because of its history, tradition, and customs.
Mandalam is a 41-day fasting period and penance observed, as prerequisite to visit this Ayyappa Temple. It is believed that observing this fast and penance will prepare the body and mind of the pilgrims to visit the Sabarimala temple.

Deity Lord Ayyappa is believed to born with the powers of Shiva and Vishnu to confront evil.
He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil.

Makaravilakku Makaravilakku is a celestial light that appears on a distant hill known as "Ponnambalamedu" during the Makaravilakku festival. It is believed to be a divine manifestation of Lord Ayyappan. Pilgrims visit Sabarimala to see Makaravilakku.

Pilgrimage Millions of devotees visit of Sabarimala temple every year, is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world.

Tattvamasi is the message written at the doorway of Sabarimala temple. Tat-Tvam-Asi, approximately translate to "Thou Art That" is the principal philosophy that governs the temple and pilgrimage.

As the Sabarimala pilgrimage is symbolic for the journey to self-realization that all living beings possess the essence of supreme reality, pilgrims refer to each other as Swami, acknowledging their divinity.

Location of Sabarimala too is unique. It's located deep inside a forest, with difficult to reach routes. The temple remains closed most of the time, except on special days and during the Mandala season.

Celibacy Lord Ayyappa at this temple is worshiped in the form of Brahmachari (celibate) in Yogic form. Women between the ages of 10 and 50 do not enter this temple.

Whats is Tattvamasi?
Tat-Tvam-Asi, approximately translate to "Thou Art That". This expression of the relationship between the individual and the Absolute is frequently quoted in the Chandogya Upanishad ( 600 BCE) as the teacher Uddalaka Aruni instructs his son, the nature of the supreme reality.

Tattvamasi is written at the doorway of Sabarimala this temple, is the principal philosophy that governs the temple and pilgrimage.

The phrase Tattvamasi was given its most literal interpretation by the Adi Shankara of the Advaita tradition.

What is the opening and closing time of Achankovil temple?

5AM to 12PM
5PM to 7:30PM

How to reach Achankovil by bus?

KSRTC operates daily services via two routes Achankovil.
First route is from Punalur to Achankovil via Karavoor and Mullumala. ( 2Hours journey. 3 Daily trips : 6.15am,11.30am & 2.10pm )
Second route is Punalur to Achankovil via Thenmala, Aryankavu , Sengottai, Panpoli and Mekkarai. ( 3 Hours journey. 3 Daily trips at 6.15am, 1.45pm & 3.45pm)
TNSTC also operate a bus from Tenkasi to Achankovil.