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1.
Erumeli |
2.
Perur Thodu |
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3.
Kaalaketi |
4. Azhutha |
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5.
Azhutha River |
6. Kallidumkunnu |
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7.
Inchipparakota |
8. Mukkuli |
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9.
Kariyilam Thodu |
10. Karimalai |
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11.
Periya Annai Vattam |
12. Seriya
Annai Vattam |
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13.
Pampa Nadi |
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The important places the pilgrims crosses between Erumeli and Sannidhanam
are:
Erumeli :
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It
is about 65 km from Kottayam. There are shrines for Lord
Dharmasastha and Varar Swamy (the Muslim lieutenant of Lord
Ayyappa).The first timers to Sabarimala, called Kanniswamy,
perform pettatullal. Pettatullal is painting the face with
colours |
and
dancing with wooden weapons to make one look odd. The essence
of this practice is to give up ones ego and surrender
to Lord Ayyappa. They go round the |
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Ayyappan
Temple and Varar Shrine and later bathe in the river. Then
the temple is visited again to seek authorization from Lord
Ayyappa to tread the sacred hill Sabari. Later the pilgrims
leave Erumeli under the guidance of their Guru for Sannidhanam. |
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Perur Thodu :
| It
is a river about 4 km from Erumeli. Lord Ayyappa rested
here 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 Perur Thodu is poongavanam (Ayyappan's garden). |
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Kalaketti :
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About
10 km from Perur Thodu is Kalaketti. 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. |
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Azhutha :
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Azhutha
river, a tributary of Pampa, is about 2 km from Kalaketti.
On the far side of the river is the steep Azhutha hill,
famous for its arduous track. In the ascent of 2 km of steep
climb there is hardly anyone who does not shed tears. At
the summit of Azhutha is Kallidumkunnu. The pilgrims drop
the pebble taken by them from |
Azhutha river here. This is done as the mortal remains of
Mahishi was cast off here and filled with stones. |
Inchipparakota:
The
next important place is the Inchipparakota where there is Kotayil
Sastha shrine. Pilgrims offer prayers here and break coconuts. From
here the pilgrims descent the slippery path carefully. The descent
ends at Karimala thodu (canal) with Azhutha hill on one side and
Karimala hill on the other. Pilgrims rest here for a while.
Karimala :
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Karimala
is the abode of elephants which visits the Karimala canal
to drink water. Pilgrims light the aazhi (campfire) to protect
themselves from wild animals and cold weather. Karimala
hill consists of seven levels and is climbed in stages.
As the ascent of 5 km is difficult the pilgrims continuously
chant saranams. On top |
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of
Karimala the terrain is flat suitable for the pilgrims to
rest. It is interesting to see the Nazhikkinar - a well
within a well with fresh spring like water. There deities
of Karimalanthan, Kochukaduthaswami and Karimala Bhagawathi.
From here after the exhausting descent, Pampa river is about
5 kms. |
Pampa :
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Pampa
is the most important and holy spot on the way to Sannidhanam.
It is here Lord Ayyappa was found by King Rajasekara. The
Pampa river is as holy as the Ganges. The Pampa water purifies
one from curse and evil. |
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Pampa Feast :
Pampa Annadhanam (feast) and Pampa Vilakku are important rituals
followed at the Pampa bank. Pilgrim groups prepare feast
with the provisions taken from the Irumudi of the pilgrims.
Thousands of pilgrims are fed at Pampa. When a group of
pilgrims are ready to fed the fellow pilgrims they display
a large papad outside their cottage. It is usually the kanniswamy
who are fed first, as they are considered to be Lord Ayyappan
himself. After the feast the Guru is honoured by pilgrims
prostrating him and offering him the Gurudakshina.
Kanni Ayyappas move from kitchen to kitchen collecting the
ashes which are considered to be very sacred. It is done
with the belief that Lord Ayyappa would have had the feast
in one of the cottages in the disguise of a pilgrim. The
ash is taken home as prasad.
Pampa Vilakku :
On
sunset pilgrim believe that Lord Ayyappan will be present
at the banks of Pampa and the cottages are decorated with
lights and candles. Small floats are decorated with lights
called Pampa Vilakku are let in the Pampa river. |
The
next morning after a dip in the cold Pampa river and performing
pitru tarpanam (offering to ones departed soul) the pilgrims
start their ascent towards the hill Neelimala after worshipping
at the temple of Lord Ganapathi, Lord
Rama (avathar
of
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Balaji)
and Lord Hanuman. On the foot of the Neeli hill is the representative
of the King of Pandalam. The pilgrims offer their respects
to the representative. After seeking the permission of the
representative to visit the shrine of Lord Ayyappa they
proceed with their journey. From here the Sannidhanam is
about 6 km. The neeli |
hill
is as difficult as the Azhutha and Karimala. The top of
Neeli hill is called Appachi medu. Here there are two abysses
- Appachi kuzhi and Ippachi kuzhi. Kanniswamy throw rice
balls here to calm down the evil spirits present around
the place. From this point the ground is almost even. Some
distance from here is the Sabari peetam. |
Sabari Peetam :
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This
was the Kota where Shri Sabari, in Sri Rama's era,
performed Tapas. Pilgrims worship here breaking coconuts, firing
crackers and lighting camphor. |
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Saramkuthi :
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Half
way between Sabari Peetam and Sannidhanam is Saramkuthi.
Kanniswamy leave the wooden arrow they picked from
Erumeli here. |
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Patinettampadi :
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The
holy Patinettampadi
(18 steps) is 15 minute walk from Saramkuthi. The
Golden steps is such a magnificent sight. Pilgrims
chant saranams loudly. After breaking the coconut
they climb the 18 steps to have the darshan of Lord
Ayyappa |
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