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Chottanikkara Temple Guide – Timings, Vazhipadu, Dress Code, and History

, 13 Comments Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With:

Chottanikkara Temple is located near Kochi in Kerala. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped here. The Goddess is also known as Bhagavathy. The idol is 4 to 5 feet in height. She has four arms. The upper right arm holds the disc. The upper left arm bears the conch. The lower right hand is in a blessing pose and the lower left arm is in an Abhaya pose, which means fearlessness.

Chottanikkara Temple
Temple Timings4:00 am to 12:00 pm. 4:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Prasadam Timings1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Guruthy at Keezhakavu Temple8:45 pm to 9:30 pm
Dress CodeMen: Dhoti, no shirt. Women: Saree
Time Taken for DarshanNormal Season: 2 hours. Ayyappa Season: 3-4 hours.
Entry FeeFree. No Special darshan available.
Best Time to VisitSeptember – February
Nearest AirportKochi

Chottanikkara Temple Timings

Here are the timings of Chottanikkara Temple:

Ritual Timings
Morning Darshan 4:00 am to 12:00 pm
Evening Darshan 4:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Prasadam Timings 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Guruthy at Keezhakavu Temple 8:45 pm to 9:30 pm
Seeveli 6:00 am to 6:30 am
Ucha Pooja 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm
Deeparadhana 6:15 pm to 6:30 pm
Athaza Pooja 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Chottanikkara Temple Food Timings

Devotees can have food at the temple during the afternoon from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Dress Code at Chottanikkara Temple

As per the Chottanikkara Temple dress code, men should wear dhoti and no shirt (only Angavastram). Women devotees should wear a sari, churidar, pavadai chattai or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Chottanikkara Temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

History and Legend of Chottanikkara Temple

Chottanikkara Temple is one of the oldest temples of Kerala. There are several legends related to the temple.

  • The Goddess was worshipped by the great Bhogacharya.
  • As per myth, the Rudraksha Sila was worshipped by great saints. These saints were Adishankaracharya, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Kakkasseri Bhattathiri and Chemmangattu Bhattathiri.
  • It is believed that the deity was brought here from Mookambika Temple which is in Kollur, Karnataka.
  • It is also believed that Goddess Mookambika Saraswati is present at the temple during morning worship. She stays at the temple till 7 am. This is the reason that the Goddess is worshipped late at Mookambika Temple. As the Goddess is present at the Chottanikkara Temple during the worship.
  • Another myth states that the original deity of the Goddess was self-born; this is also known as swayambhu.
  • The original idol is made of laterite and is irregular in shape. This is in red colour.

Significance of Chottanikkara Temple

The temple is important in the religious history of Kerala due to the following reasons.

  • Goddess Bhagavathy is an evil destroyer here. She protects her devotees from danger.
  • As per folklore, pilgrims get free from the stress of material life here.
  • Goddess Rajarajeswari has three forms at the temple. In the morning worship, she is Goddess Saraswati. In the afternoon She is Goddess Lakshmi and in the evening She is Goddess Durga.
  • She is in a white dress in the morning. In the afternoon She is in crimson red cloth and in the evening the Goddess is in a bright blue dress.
  • There is a statue of Lord Vishnu on the same pedestal. For this reason, the Goddess is also known as Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana.
  • There are also deities of Lakshmi, Narayana, Brahma, Siva, Ganapati, Subramanya and Sastha on the pedestal.
  • The temple also has various idols of mythological characters.

Festivals celebrated at Chottanikkara Temple

  • Makom Thozhal Festival: This festival takes place on the Makom day in the month of Kumbham. The Malayalam month of Kumbham is either February or March. On Makom day Goddess Bhagavathy appeared before Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. There is another myth, that the Goddess appears before the devotees every year on the Makom day. Hence the celebration takes place on this day. Devotees sing Bhajanam on the occasion. As per legends, after Bhajanam, Bhadrakali at Kizhukkavu frees the devotees from the evil spirit.
  • Navaratri Mahotsavam: This is another major festival celebrated at the temple. The festival takes place every year in the months of September and October. It takes place for 10 days. Several cultural programmes take place at the temple during the festival. Priests perform Vidyarambham and Annadhanam during this time.

Poojas and Rituals at Chottanikkara Temple

Chottanikkara Temple follows some special rituals.

  • Worship starts at the temple by blowing the conch. Musicians play instruments at this time.
  • The day starts with Nirmalya Darshan. The swayambhu image of Goddess is visible only at this time.
  • Dhaara of Lord Shiva is the next ritual.
  • Several types of worship take place throughout the day. Ethruthu Pooja, Seeveli, Guruthi Nivedyam, Pantheeradi, Ucha, Uchaseeveli are the other afternoon worships.
  • The Evening Nada opening again worships Goddess Rajarajeswari.
  • Deeparadhana, Athazha and Seeveli worship take place in evening.
  • Bhajanam is a special ritual that takes place on the request of the devotees. Devotees can request Bhajanam only if they stay at the temple. They do not go out of the temple this time. Worshippers do not have food with salt, chilly and sour at this time. Bhajanam can heal diseases.
  • Mandapathil Paattu is another ritual which gives blessings of the Goddess. Bronze lamps and flowers decorate the temple. The devotees present satin clothes, fineries, rice and paddy to the Goddess. Devotees play Brahmini Amma Paatu devotional songs. After worship they get Chathussatham. This is a kind of sweet pudding.
  • Annadanam is another ritual that satisfies the Goddess.
  • Rudrabhishekam worship is for Lord Shiva.
  • Chuttuvilakku and Nirmala rituals are for prosperity.
  • Trikala worship is also for prosperity. In this ritual, the devotee has to worship the Goddess three times in a day.
  • One day worship is another ritual in which the devotee has to worship Goddess Rajarajeswari complete day.
  • Mahabhagavath Seva is for the main deity. This ritual gives jaggery to the Goddess.
  • Noorum Palum ritual worships the Naga snakes.
  • Palpayasam ritual worships Lord Vishnu.
  • Mrithyunjaya Homam ritual gives blessings of Lord Shiva. This ritual also provides long life. it helps to cure diseases.
  • Chathussadam is another form of worship of Goddess Rajarajeswari.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

Chottanikkara Temple is easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The temple is at 38 km from the Cochin airport. This international airport is well connected to the other airports of India, Singapore and Gulf countries.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to the temple is the Thrupoonithura railway station. It is at 4 km from the temple. The temple is 18 km from Eranakulam south and north railway station. Eranakulam is a junction and connects the city with the other cities of the country. There are auto-rickshaws and private cars available from the railway stations which take you directly to the shrine. Trains are available throughout the day, starting from 4.00 am till 10.00 pm.

By Road: The temple is at 20 km from the Eranakulam KSRTC bus stand. It is at 22 km from the Kaloor private bus stand. Road transport to the Chottanikkara Temple is economical. Deluxe Volvo buses are available which connect the temple to the different cities, like Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Where to stay

  • Chottanikkara Temple authorities are planning to construct accommodation for devotees visiting the temple. Pilgrims who wish to donate to the temple can stay at the temple. These suites will come with a bedroom sum living room, kitchen and an attached bath. The suites planned are modern with ceramic floorings. Devotees will be provided with gas cylinders and stoves to enable cooking. The suites will have amenities like refrigerators, television sets with cable connection and hot water.
  • Besides this, the Hinterland Village Resort, PPG Tourist Home, Hill Palace Hotel and SPA, The Capital Fort Kochi, Royal Homestay and Casa de Forte are some of the best hotels at about 1.6 km from the temple. These hotels provide clean rooms with basic amenities. You can also get good food at these hotels.

Where to eat

Chottanikkara Temple is very famous and hence there are several eat outs near the shrine. Black N White, Grameen Ruchi, Kettuvalam, Naushad the Big Chef, The Avenue Regent and the Deagle Arabian Hut are also near. Visitors can relish authentic Kerala cuisines here. These eateries also provide Asian, Chinese and other Indian cuisines.

Nearby Temples

There are several temples near Chottanikkara Temple.

  • Kizhukkavu Temple: This temple is situated just on the eastern side of the Chottanikkara Temple. Moreover, the temple is famous for its ValiyaGuruthy worship. This means great sacrifice and the event takes place every day at 8.45 pm. This ritual takes place after the evening worship at the Chottanikkara Temple. This ritual cures women from mental disorders, like schizophrenia.
  • Ernakulatthappan Temple: This temple is situated at the heart of the Eranakulam city. Here also Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. The important feature of this temple is that the deity is west facing. In addition, here the great Villawamangalathu Swamiyar framed rituals. The shrine depicts the Kerala style of architecture. The temple also has deities of Lord Ganesha and Sastha.
  • Ettumanoor Shiva Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is from Travancore. The temple is also historically important. The Pandavas and Saint Vyasa worshipped here. The temple has mural paintings.
  • Kaduthuruthy Temple: Also known as the Thali Temple, this shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is near the Vembanad Lake. In addition, Lord Shiva is east facing here. Kharasura demon worshipped Lord Shiva here. The wooden carvings of the temple narrate various stories related to Lord Shiva. Also, there are Lord Ganesha, Sastha and Goddess Durga here.
  • Sree Poornathrayesa Temple: This temple is also significant as it is 1000 years old and is dedicated to Poornathrayesan. Poornathrayesan is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, childless couples can pray here to get a child. Also, Vrishchikoltsawam is the main festival here. It takes place during the months of November and December.
  • Vaikom Mahadeva temple: This is the most famous Lord Shiva temple of central Kerala. While some believe that Parasurama installed Shiva Lingum here, others believe that demon Kharasuran placed the Siva lingam at this shrine. Also, Ananadana Prabhu is the major festival at the temple.

Winters (December to February) is the best time to visit the temple as Chottanikkara has pleasant weather at this time. The place experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoons (June and July) and moderately hot from March to May. If you want to participate in the festivals of the temple then it is best to visit the temple between August and November.

Vaitheeswaran Kovil

, 2 Comments Filed Under: Tamil Nadu Temples Tagged With: ,

Vaitheeswaran Kovil is a holy place near Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam District. It is famous for the Shiva temple in honor of Vaidyanatheeswarar, the healer of all diseases and his consort Thaiyalnayaki. Jatayu, Rig Veda, Muruga and Surya worshipped the Lord here. This temple consist of several Mandapam and Gopuram 

What is the history of Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

According to history of Vaitheeswaran Kovil, Chevvai is son of shiva. Once Shiva was in deep meditation, perspiration from his third eye fell on earth. From that sweat a child was born and later on known asangaragan (chevvai). Chevvai Bhagavan is worshipped in the town of Vaitheeswarankoil or Pullirukkuvelur.

Angarakan (Mars) was one of the Navagraha in 9 planets. One day, he suffered a lot from Skin diseases (Leprosy). He prayed Lord Vaidyanatha Swamy in Vaitheeswaran Koil. Lord Shiva blessed him and cured his diseases. So he stayed in this temple and caleed as “Vaitheewaran” and cure all the diseases by whom praying him.

Thirunavukkarasar was suffering from severe stomach pain. At time, his sister told him to pray Lord Vaidyanatha Swamy. Then he prayed and got cured by Lord Shiva. He also became a great devotee of Lord Shiva and sung many songs for Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in the temple. The five towers – Gopurams of the temple are on a straight line. The Maragatha Linga (Emerald Linga) is very famous. There are two flag posts-Kodimaram before the presiding deity made of silver and gold. Navagrahas the nine planets are generally in the front side of the sanctum facing different directions in Shiva temples.

What is the significance of the Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

Here’s the significance of Vaitheeswaran Kovil:

  • There is a widespread believe that when one visits here, it would remove obstacles of the delayed marriage(Chevvai dosham). In chevvai temple the Prasadam (Food) offered by the name of tiruchendur urundai and it is considered to be a panacea capable of many elements it is made of ashes taken out from the homa kundam in front of Subramaniya strain.
  • The Lord Vaidyanatha and Thaiyal Nayagi are the family God (Kula Dheivam) for Kshatriya Community (Vanniyakula Kshatriyas) of South India. This temple is also Navagraha Sthalas of Lord Angarakan. Moreover, it is a famous tourist spot in Nagapattinam District.
  • Lord Bhairava protects the temple in the east, by Lord Veerabadra in the west, Lord Vinayaka in the south and Ma Kali in the north. Also, with its five tier Rajagopuram, the temple is facing west. The temple belongs to Darumapuram Aadheenam of Tiru Kayilaya Parambara – descendants of Kailash dynasty.

What are the timings of Vaitheeswaran Kovil Temple?

Here are the timings of Vaitheeswaran Kovil Temple:

Timings From To
Morning Darshan 6.00 AM 11.00 AM
Evening Darshan 4.00 PM 8.30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at the Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Vaitheeswaran Kovil are:

  • Skanda shashti: Kanda Sashti occurs in the Tamil Month Aippasi. Skanda Shasti celebrates the victory of Lord Skanda over demon Surapadma. In many places the festival commences six days before the Sashti day and concludes on the day of the Sashti. During these days, devotees recite inspiring hymns, read stories of Subramanya, and enact the exploits of the Lord on stage.
  • Aadipooram: Aadi Pooram, also called as ‘Aandal Jayanti’ is a prime festival of Tamilians. This festival is for Goddess Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The day also holds immense significance in Goddess Shakti temples scattered all over the country. In the event, priests offer glass bangles to Goddess Andal and then distribute them among all devotees.
  • Karthigai: Karthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai. Accordin gto beliefs, Lord Muruga, the divine light of Lord Shiva, took his form during this month. On this day, all his six forms were united by Parvathi(his mother) and this way, he had six faces.
  • Panguni Uthiram: The Panguni Uthiram festival falls in the month ‘Panguni’ (March-April). This is also teh wedding day of Gods and Goddesses such as Parvati and Shiva, Devasena and Murugan, Andal and Ranganath and Sita and Rama. Devotees of Lord Muruga pierce their bodies with needles and spikes as a sign of their devotion to the Lord.

What are the Poojas and Rituals of Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

The poojas and rituals of Vaitheeswaran Kovil are:

  • At the midnight Pooja the priests worship Lord Selva Muthukumaraswamy with special prayers. This is famous as ‘Punugu Kappu Dharshan’
  • Chevvai related dosha are rectified by performing pariharam(remedies) poojas to this deity. It is traditional to perform navagraha pooja to get rid of financial crisis, property dealing, productivity of agriculture and milk. It also solvess any problem between brothers and sisters. Chevvai also heels cut wounds.
  • The devotees as soon as entering the temple, they first go to Sithamirtha tank (Sithamirtha tank consist of 18 wells) filled with holy water and mix with medicines in form of leaves. The water has curative properties for various skin elements.
  • The person’s diseases even that could not get cured by mani, mandra, aushatha, after coming to this temple they got cured at this place. Therefore, here Shiva is Vaithiyanathan (doctor).
  • Devotees also undertake tonsuring.  Ear boring ceremony also takes place in the temple.  They also light Maa Vilakku made of rice flour and ghee, offer mangal sutras and god symbols as a prayer commitment.  They also place salt, pepper and mustard and eye symbols made of silver in the Ambica shrine. 

How to reach Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

Here’s how to reach Vaitheeswaran Kovil:

  • Air: No direct connectivity to flight between Nagapattinam and Chennai is available.
  • Road: It is between Sirkazhi and Mayiladurai in the route of Chidambaram-Mayiladuthurai. This temple is 15 KM from Mayiladurai or 24 KM from Chidambaram.
  • Rail: The Nearest station is Mayiladuthurai. Direct train between Nagapattinam and Chennai is available.

Where to stay in Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

Some of the places where one can stay in Vaitheeswaran Kovil are:

  • Hotek Sadhabishegam Contact: Vaitheeswarankovil,Tamil Nadu 609117.
  • Hotel Sri Akshardham Contact: SH 64,Vaitheeswarankovil, Tamil Nadu 609117
  • Chola Inn Contact: 105, Pidari South Street,Thenpathi,Sirkazhi,Tamil Nadu 609111
  • Ayarpadi Hotel Contact: Old NH,Thenpathi,Sirkazhi,Tamil Nadu 609110
  • Hotel Aryabhavan Contact: Old NH,Thiruvalluvar Nagar,Thenpathi,Sirkazhi,Tamil Nadu 609111

Where to eat in Vaitheeswaran Kovil?

Some of the places where one can eat in Vaitheeswaran Kovil are:

  • Samboorna Restaurtant Contact: Old NH,Thenpathi,Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu 609110
  • Garden Restaurant Contact: Thenpathi,Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu 609110

 What are some temples near Vaitheeswaran Kovil temple?

Some of the temples near Vaiteheswaran Kovil Temple are:

  • Nellukadai Mariamman Koil: Nellukadai Mariamman Temple is at Nagapattinam. Interestingly, Mariamman appeared in the dream of a rice trader and asked him to build a shrine for him. He then constructed a beautiful temple in Nagapattinam and started offering prayers.
  • Sri Mullaivananathar temple: The fame of this temple rests largely upon the Goddess Shri Garbharakshambika (an avatar of Goddess Parvati) who offers protection to, the human embryo. And it is no wonder that this temple draws worshippers from all sects. Also, Lord Shiva in this Sthalam is famous as Mullaivananathar and the Ambika as Karparakshambigai. Another presiding deity is Lord Mullaivana Nathar. 
  • Sikkal Singaravelan Temple: Sikkal Singara Velan Temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Muruga and a contender for the unofficial seventh Padaiveedu of Muruga, along with the popular Arupadaiveedu (six abodes of Lord Muruga). Devotees also belive that Lord Murugan had got his Vel (weapon) from his divine mother at Sikkal, to kill the asura.

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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 1 Comment Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With:

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple located in Kerala is a heaven for people seeking peace. Lord Krishna is the main deity of the temple. People call the deity as Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy at this temple. Also, Lord Krishna is Lord Vishnu’s other image. There is also a story behind the name of God. Lord Krishna rode the chariot of warrior Arjuna during a battle. Hence people call Him Parthasarathy.

The place is a world heritage site. United Nations has recognized Aranmula as a global heritage site.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple History

As per myth, the temple was originally built near Sabarimala. The famous Tamil classic, Divya Prabandha mentions this temple. This classic dates back to the 6th to the 9th century.

Planning to visit Sabarimala? Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates for 2019.

This temple is out of 5 temples built by the Pandava brothers in Chengannur. The five temples are Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple built by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple built by Bheema, Aranmula built by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple built by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple built by Sahadeva.

After leaving their capital city, Hastinapur for pilgrimage, the Pandavas arrived at the banks of River Pampa. These temples were built at that time. Every temple has an image of Lord Krishna.

As per legends, Arjuna built the temple as a penance of killing Karna. As it is against ethics to kill an unarmed warrior.

Also, here Lord Vishnu provided information about creating the world to Lord Brahma. This took place when Madhukaitaka demons stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu also came in front of Vedavyasa here.

There is also a story behind the image of Parthasarathy that is present at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. During the great Mahabharata battle, Arjuna did not want to fight against Bheeshma. Lord Krishna was angry and took up his discus. Seeing this Bheeshma surrendered. This image of Parthasarathy with discus is present at the temple. This pose is the Vishvarupa pose.

Another myth states that the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple image was brought on a raft. The raft was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, people call the temple as Aranmula. The word Aranmula means six bamboo pieces.

There is also another myth regarding the name. The place derives its name from the word arin villai. This word means a land near the river.

Aranmula is popular for its metal mirrors. The story of these mirrors begins from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. As per myth, once the Travancore king decided to donate a crown to Lord Krishna. He was looking for a crown of rare metal. At this time, he got a rare combination of copper and lead.

Also, there is a myth regarding the boat race of Aranmula. When Arjuna was returning with Lord Krishna’s image after long penance, there was a huge flood. At this time, he crossed the river on a raft. A low caste Hindu gave him the raft to cross the river. The raft was of six bamboo pieces. This annual boat race commemorates the help of the low caste Hindu.

Significance of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is important in the Hindu religious history as:

  • It is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples of India. Moreover, the temple is mentioned in Tamil classics.
  • There is a sub shrine in the temple complex. People worship Lord Balarama in this shrine.
  • The temple shows Kerala construction style. It is similar to the Ettumanor Mahadeva Temple structure. The whole temple is on a raised platform. People need to climb 18 steps to reach the eastern tower. The northern tower is 57 steps high. Sreekovil is the main part of the temple that houses the deity.
  • The base of the central temple is granite while the entire structure is laterite. The conical roof represents terracotta art. There is a kalasam at the temple which is copper.
  • The temple has four towers over its gateways on the outer wall. It has a double storied gopuram. The gopuram is a gateway tower. The upper part has wooden trails. There is a hall on the upper part, the Kottupura. Drum beating takes place during festivals in this hall.
  • The outer wall has places for lamps. These lamps are lit during the festivals. Also, there is a rectangular wall around the temple. This wall protects all the temples which are within the complex.
  • There is a metal flag post in the temple complex. This is the Dwajasthambam which is at the axial to the temple tower. There is also a light post at the temple. It is Deepastamba.
  • There is an outer pavilion to the temple. It is Chuttuambalam. The main temple and the hall is within a rectangular structure. This is the Nallambalam. This hall has pillars and corridors. The Namaskara Mandapa is a square platform. The Mandapa roof looks like a pyramid.
  • There are other parts to the temple as well. The kitchen, Thevrapura is at the left of the Namaskara Mandapa. Balithara is the altar used to make offerings to demigods during festivals.
  • The temple is also famous for its mural paintings. These paintings belong to the early 18th century. The doors have paintings of Dwarpalakas. They are the guardian deities.
  • The temple also has beautiful carvings. The carvings show stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. These intricate carvings are present at the pillars. These are wooden and stucco carvings.
  • Besides Lord Krishna, the other deities present at the temple are Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy Balarama.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Timings

  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 8 pm. The afternoon break timings are from 11 am to 5 pm.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Food Timings

Devotees can get prasadam after the morning Pooja.

Dress Code at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The dress code of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is quite similar to the other temples of the state.

  • Men have to be in dhoti. Shirts or upper clothing has to be deposited at the temple counter before entering the temple.
  • Ladies have to be in traditional dress. Sari, salwar kameez and half sari are some examples.

Festivals celebrated at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple celebrates Lord Krishna festivals with great pomp and grandeur.

  • Ashtamirohini: This is the birthday of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates this festival with great pomp and grandeur. A large feast takes place on this date. This feast also has a name, ‘vallasadya.’ It is one of the largest vegetarian feasts in the world. The festival includes 64 types of dishes. The devotees offer the food to Lord Krishna. Besides feasting, the deities are carried around Aranmula on this day. Another important part of the festival is the boat rides. A special boat, Palliyodam sails over River Pampa. These boats look like snakes and many people ride them. This custom of boat race also has a name, Vallam Kali. People worship the boat before the race starts as locals believe these boats are vehicles of Lord Aranmula. People use many types of flowers to worship the boats. 100 rowers take part in the race. Also, 25 singers take part in this race. They sing songs as the boats sail on the river. The boats sail in pairs. People also play music. The festival goes on from July to October. This is also the time of Onam festival in Kerala.
  • Procession: A large procession on the Garuda Mount to the Pampa River takes place during the Meenam month. Along with Lord Parthasarathy, Goddess Bhagavathy also participates in the procession. The idol of the goddess comes from the Punnamthode temple.
  • Khandavanadahanam: This festival takes place during Dhanus month. Devotees create an artificial forest at the temple front. People use dried plants, leaves and twigs to make the forest. A bonfire is lit after this. This festival shows the fire that took place at the Khandavana forest. This is also a story from Mahabharata.
  • Fasting: This custom takes place during Thiruvonam. Three Brahmin families in Aranmula fast at this time. Brahmin families from Nedumprayar village also fast at this time. This is a two centuries old custom. As per myth, one Brahmin vowed to feed one pilgrim every day. Lord Krishna was pleased with the vow. Thus, He came to bless the priest. The Brahmin was very happy and he started to conduct a feast every year. This feast takes place after the boat race.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Sevas and Poojas

The temple has its own customs, like:

  • Only Thantri and Melshanthi can enter the Sreekovil. Thantri refers to the main priest while Melshanthi refers to the second priest.
  • Thiruvonathoni: This is a famous custom of the temple. The ritual takes place during the Onam festival.

How to Reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Aranmula is easily reachable from all parts of the state as it is just 116 km from Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala.

Here’s how to reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple:

  • By Air: The Trivandrum airport is very close to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Kochi International Airport is also a choice for the tourists who want to visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Taxis and buses are available from the airport which can directly take the tourists to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is at Chengannur. Tourists can hire cabs from the railway station. Buses are also available here.
  • By Road: Besides planes and railways, you can travel to Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple on roads. There are many buses and other transport available which connect the various cities of Kerala to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Chengannur is only 10 km from the temple. Pathanamthitta is 15 km and Pandalam is 14 km from the shrine.

Where to stay nearby

Hotel All Season, Hotel Santhi Palace, Bessota International Hotel, Club 7 Hotel, CGA Elite Continental and Contour Backwaters are just 21 km from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. These hotels also have all basic facilities.

Where to eat

There are some good eat outs near the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Favourite, Hotel Aryaas Park, J’ Mart Arabian Restaurant, Khyber Pass Bake & Grill, Union Bakery, Arabian Restaurant and Vensec Kitchens serve delicious food. The eat outs are also clean.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, this temple village has some other shrines and groves.

Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple: This temple is also worth a visit. It is just 4 km from Aranmula. As per myth, this was the worship place for the Pandavas. The Pandavas are the main characters in a great Indian epic. This great epic is Mahabharata. The temple worships Lord Shiva. Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti looks after the temple.

River Pampa flows by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and you can spend some relaxing moments sitting on its banks. The village is also famous for its mirrors. These mirrors are metallic. People call these mirrors as Aranmula Kannadi. Hence visiting Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is just not a pilgrimage but a trip to refresh your inner soul.

Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh

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Tawang Monastery
Tawang Monastery

The Tawang  Monastery is also known in Tibetan as Galden Namgey Lhatse. It means ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’. This monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. The monastery is located in Tawang city of Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. It is situated in the valley of the Tawang River, in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Tawang Monastery was founded in 1680-1681, Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso. It was built in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. The monastery is situated on a mountain at an altitude of over 3000 m. Tawang Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world.

Tawang Monastery is a big monastery with living quarters, a museum, institutions and libraries. The Monastery can hold a capacity of 700 monks and is currently home to around 450 lamas.

What is the history of the Tawang Monastery?

In Tibetan, ‘Ta’ means ‘horse’ and ‘wang’ means ‘chosen’. Therefore, the name Tawang means chosen by a horse. According to the legends, Merak Lama was having difficulty in finding a good place to build the monastery. He once rested in a cave where he prayed, seeking divine guidance. When e came out, he found his horse missing. After searching for a while, he found the horse, grazing at the top of a mountain. Merak Lama realized it as a good spot where the monastery could be built.

The full name of the monastery is thus Tawang Galdan Namgye Lhatse. It means ‘The site chosen by the horse is the divine celestial paradise’.

What is the architecture of the place?

  • Entrance and outer walls: At the entrance to the monastery there is a Kakaling, which is a colorful gate structure. It is a ‘hut-like structure’, with side walls built of stone masonry. The interior walls of the Kakaling have murals of divinities and saints painted on them. The roof features Mandalas. Ahead of the main gate of the Kakaling to its south, is another entry. On the main entrance to the monastery, there are huge walls. The outer wall is 925 feet in length, with heights varying from about 10–20 feet.
  • Main buildings: The monastery is three-storied. It is built like a large mansion. There is a large assembly hall, ten other functional structures and 65 residential quarters for students, Lamas and monks. There is a center for Buddhist cultural studies. The monastery also has a school. The walls of the monastery have a profusion of  Buddhist deities and saints.
  • Main temple: The main temple is known as the Dukhang. ‘Du’ means ‘assembly’ and ‘Khang’ means ‘building’. It was built in the year 1860-61. An 18 feet image of Buddha is deified which is gilded and decorated.

Tawang Monstery

What are the festivals celebrated in the Tawang Monastery?

Choksar, Losar, Ajilamu, and Torgya are the main festivals that are held in the monastery.

  • Choksar: In this festival, the Lamas recite religious scriptures in the monasteries. Following which, the villagers carry the scriptures on their back and circumambulate their agricultural land. They seek blessings for the good yield of crops without any infestations by pests and to protect against attack by wild animals.
  •  Losar: This festival marks the beginning of the Tibetan New Year. In this festival, people visit the monastery to offer prayers.
  • Torgya: This festival is also called Tawang-Torgya. It is an annual festival that is exclusively held in the monastery. The objective of the festival is to ward off evil spirits. It ushers prosperity and happiness to the people in the ensuing year. It is held according to the Buddhist calendar days of 28th to 30th of Dawachukchipa, which corresponds to 10 to 12 January of the Gregorian calendar. It is a Monpa celebration.

How to reach the Tawang Monastery?

Air: The nearest airport is located in Tezpur. It is at a distance of 387 km. The nearest international airport is located in Guwahati. It is at a distance of 480 km.

Train: The nearest railway station is Rangapara Railway Station. It is at a distance of 383 km. Rangapara Railway Station is directly connected to about 88 stations.

Road: Tawang Monastery is well-connected by road to all places.

What is the best time to visit the Monastery?

  •  Summer- March to June: This is the best time to visit Tawang. The temperature ranges between 5 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. The days are pleasant and nights are colder.
  • Monsoon- July to September: It is mostly wet during monsoon season. There is rainfall all over and the temperature drops. However, this place looks even more beautiful during this season.
  • Winter- November to February:  The temperature sometimes drops near the freezing point. The temperature gets around 10 degrees. The coldest month of winters is January.

Sabarimala Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Dharmasastha Sabarimala Temple located at Sabarimala in the Pattanamthittu district of Kerala. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sastha, popularly known as Lord Ayyapan. The Sabarimala Temple is located at the peak of a hilltop named Sabarimala at an altitude of 1535 feet. The temple complex is surrounded by dense forests which have been converted into the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The forest is locally known as Poomkavanam.

Here are the opening and closing dates for Sabarimala Temple for 2019 – 2020.

Sabarimala Temple – Facts

DeityLord Ayyappa (Lord Dharmasastha)
LocationPattanamthittu, Kerala
Entry FeeGeneral Darshan: Free
Darshan
Timings 		4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
PoojasPadi Pooja, Neyyabhishekam, Harivarasanam
Best Time
to Visit		November to January
FestivalsVishu, Makara Jyothi
Sabarimala Temple Video

In Hinduism, Lord Dharmasastha is also popularly known as Manikandan and Ayyapan. He is the son of Harihara, often called as Hariharaputra. Hari refers to Lord Vishnu and Hara refers to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Dharmasastha was born out of the union of Mohini (an avatar of Vishnu) and Lord Shiva. He holds the combined powers of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord Ayyapan is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Dharmasastha and a visual representation of the unity of Shiva and Vishnu.

The Sabarimala Temple can be visited by only men. Devotees who wish to get Lord Ayyapan’s blessings must fast for 41 days. They wear a black or blue dress, do not shave and smear Vibhuti or Chandan on their forehead. They wear a Rudraksha or Tulasi mala as a sign of fasting.  The devotees are required to abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, sexual intercourse, foul language, shaving, haircut, and nail trimming.

The Sabarimala Temple is also a fine example of the integration of the Buddhist religious beliefs with the Hindu system of worship. Historically, it is believed that a Buddhist shrine existed in the vicinity where the present temple is situated. The temple was dedicated to the Buddhist God Avalokitesvara, an avatar of Bodhisattva.

Where is Sabarimala Temple

What are the timings of the Sabarimala Temple?

The Sabarimala Temple opens at 4:00 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening poojas. The temple remains closed from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

The timings of the Sabarimala Temple are:

RitualTiming
Darshan Starts4:00 AM
Nirmalya Darshanam4:05 AM
Ganapati Homam4:15 AM
Usha Pooja (Morning Pooja)7:30 AM
Ucha Pooja (Noon Pooja)1:00 PM
Deeparadhana (Evening Pooja)6:30 PM
Athazha Pooja (Night Pooja)10:30 PM
Temple Closes11:00 PM

The temple is open to male devotees during the days of Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku (Makara Sankranthi), and Vishu. The temple also remains open on the first five days as per the Malayalam calendar.

What are the poojas and rituals at Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Padi Pooja
  • Neyyabhishekam: The Abhishekam is considered as the best way to do service for God. Pilgrims bring Ghee inside a coconut from their homes. For the pilgrims coming from outside, the temple makes arrangements for the seva. These coconuts are then opened and the deity is bathed with the Ghee. It is believed that the Ghee symbolizes the human soul and by pouring it over the God, one merges himself with the Paramatma.
  • Ashtabhishekam: This Abhishekam is one of the popular Abhishekam performed on request of the devotees. The eight items used for the Abhishekam are Vibhuti, Milk, Honey, Panchamrutam, Tender Coconut water, Sandalwood paste (Chandan), Rosewater and Water.
  • Ayyappachakram: The Ayyappa Chakram can be obtained at the temple counter and this is presented at the feet of the Lord to receive his blessings.
  • Ganapathy Homam: The Homam can be done at the Temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathi. This Homam should be performed at the beginning of any ventures in life, whether personal or professional.
  • Kalabhabhishekam: The Kalabhabhishekam is performed for strengthening the intelligence and consciousness of the devotee. The special pooja is performed with great reverence and dedication.
  • Laksharchana: The names of the Lord are repeated in the form of a mantra 1 lakh times. The names are repeated in a group.
  • Nithya Pooja: All the poojas of the day are performed for the Lord on behalf of the devotee.
  • Padi Pooja: This unique and grand pooja is performed for the holy 18 steps of the temple sanctum. Each step represents a facet of life and is worshipped separately. It is believed that one attains spiritual enlightenment after performing the pooja and is relieved of all curses and evil effects in his life. The booking for the pooja must be done online or much before in advance.
  • Sahasrakalasam: The ritual involves offering 1000 pots (gold. silver and brass) of holy water to the Lord. The pooja is performed for the general happiness of mankind.
  • Udayasthamana Pooja: This unique pooja is a ritual where 15 special poojas are performed throughout the day (Udaya for Sunrise and Astha for Sunset) for the deity in the name of the devotee. The rituals begin at dawn and proceeds in succession till dusk after which the devotee and other attendees are given prasadam of the pooja.
  • Harivarasanam: The most popular devotional song dedicated to Lord Ayyapan is the famous composition Harivarasanam written by Srinivasa Iyer. It is a lullaby for the Lord and is sung in front of the main shrine after the night pooja every day. The composition is written in Sanskrit and is 8 stanzas long with 352 letters

What is the significance of the Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Ayyapa Swamy

The idol of the presiding deity is made of the special Panchaloha element. The Panchaloha is traditionally an alloy of five metals. The composition of the alloy was kept as a secret for several centuries and is often mentioned in the Shilpa Shastras. The metals involved were later found out to be a mix of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron and Lead. It is believed that worshipping idols made of the Panchaloha material imparts balance, self-confidence, health, fortune and peace of mind.

The 18 steps that one has to climb to reach the main sanctum are extremely sacred to the devotees. They have been mentioned in several religious texts and several songs and bhajans have been composed about them. Several versions are present regarding the importance of the 18 steps. According to a popular belief, the first five steps represent the five senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), the next eight represent the Ragas (Tatwa, Kama, Krodha, Moha, Lobha, Madha, Matsraya, and Ahamkara), the next three represent the Gunas (Satwa, Rajas, and Tamas) and the last two, Vidya and Avidya. It is believed that anyone who climbs these steps achieves self-realisation. Some also believe that the 18 steps denote the number of weapons with which the Lord annihilated Mahishi and some believe that each step represents each Purana.

It is believed that on the day of Makara Vilakku, Lord Dharmasastha stops his penance to bless the devotees visiting Sabarimala. Thousands of ardent devotees gather at Sabarimala to view the divine Makara Jyothi light up on the other side of the hill. Every year, the evening of Makara Sankranti witnesses the event of Makara Jyothi at the top of the Ponnambalamedu hill. The Makara Jyothi celebration has turned into a controversial issue as recent evidence point that the occurrence of the divine flame is actually manmade.

It is believed that the installation of the deity Lord Ayyapan was done by Parashurama himself on orders of Lord Dharmasastha.

The Sabarimala Temple Complex consists of a Ganapathi shrine, a Homakundam (place to conduct Homams), and a Bhasmakulam (sacred water tank). A small shrine dedicated to Devi Mallikappurathamma is situated at the foot of the hill along with the shrines of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi (God and Goddess of Snakes). The small shrine dedicated to Vavurswami is situated near the sacred 18 steps. Vavur was the Muslim friend and confidante of Lord Ayyapan.

The Sabarimala Temple is one of the largest annual pilgrimages taken by devout pilgrims throughout the country. It is estimated that about 40-50 million devotees visit the shrine during November – January season. The revenue from the temple is estimated at about 230 crores.

What is the history of Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Ayyapan

According to history, the Sabarimala Temple is believed to have been constructed somewhere during the 10th – 11th century. The earlier structure was a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Avalokitesvara. The shrine has consistently grown popular among the population especially among the southern states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, and Karnataka.

The story behind the temple:

A demoness named Mahishi possessed the boon of invulnerability, except by the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. She started torturing public folk and created fear and panic among the residents of the Earth. Seeing the atrocities, the Gods prayed to Shiva and Vishnu to put an end to this. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of the beautiful enchantress Mohini and had a child with Lord Shiva. As per the Brahmanda Purana, this child would possess the combined powers of Durga and annihilate Mahishi. The Skanda Purana mentions that Goddess Durga herself took birth in a masculine form to annihilate Mahishi. Lord Vishnu gifted the child with a precious necklace pendant that hung around the child’s neck. Hence, he is also popular as Manikandan.

The legend associated with the Sabarimala Temple and the Lord’s journey on Earth starts with the decimation of the Pandyan dynasty of Tamilnadu. The remaining descendants left Madurai and settled at various locations throughout Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They established the Pandalam kingdom in Kerala around the tenth century. The King of the Pandalam kingdom, Raja Rajashekhara did not have a child for a long time and together with the queen, worshipped Lord Shiva for a boon. Lord Shiva obliged and ordered Dharmasastha to take an avatar and be born to them as a child. He was handed over a mission to annihilate the buffalo-headed demon Mahishi, the sister of Mahishasura, who was creating havoc in the earth realm.

Sabarimala Temple Shri Dharmasastha

Accordingly, King Raja Rajashekhara found the young baby crying on the banks of the River Pamba. A Sanyasi appeared to him and advised him to give the child home and raise him as his own. He told him that when the child becomes 12, his divine nature will be revealed. The King and the Queen were very pleased and grew the child as their own. The child was named Manikandan and was taught the local martial arts form and all the Shastras. In the meantime, the Queen gave birth to another child named Raja Rajan. However, the King decided to make Manikandan the king.

The Diwan of the Kingdom brainwashed the queen into feigning a sickness so that her child becomes the King instead of Manikandan. The physician gave a false assurance that tigress’s milk was the only cure for the Queen’s sickness. Manikandan decided against his father’s wishes, that he will go into the forest to bring a tigress’s milk. On entering the forest, he decided to annihilate Mahishi first. He entered into a conflict with the demon along the banks of the Azhutha River. Manikandan climbed on her chest and danced violently. Realizing the futility of battling against the avatar of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva combined, the demon prostrated and died.

After killing Mahishi, all the Gods led by Lord Shiva appeared to Manikandan and turned themselves into tigers and tigresses. They accompanied him to the palace. On his return, the Sanyasi appeared and revealed the true identity of Manikandan to the King and the public. King Raja Rajashekhara was overwhelmed with joy and asked Manikandan to stay with him forever. However, Manikandan refused. Then the King requested him to guide him to a place where he could construct a shrine for him as a memory. Manikandan shot an arrow which fell at Sabari, the hill where aeons ago an old woman named Sabari had performed penance and was visited by Lord Rama. Manikandan ordered the shrine to be built there and promised that he will bless his devotees from there. He later disappeared into the forests.

The legend of Makara Vilakku is related to Lord Rama and Lakshman. On their journey towards Lanka, they met a tribal named Sabari at the present day Sabarimala. Sabari offered the Lord, fruits that she was carrying with him. While eating the fruits, Lord Rama observed a divine person doing penance. On enquiring the tribal about the person, he informed that it was Sastha. Lord Rama went to meet Sastha. On seeing the arrival of Lord Rama and Lakshman, Sastha stood up and received him to his abode. The day is celebrated as the Makara Vilakku day.

What is the dress code of Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Dress Code

The Sabarimala Temple follows a very strict dress code for men who wish to seek the blessings of the Lord. One must not wear any upper garment like shirts or vests. One must wear a black, orange, or dark blue dhoti to view the Lord. Ladies between the ages of 10 – 55 are not allowed to visit Sabarimala. Ladies above the age group should wear a saree inside the temple premises.

What are the festivals celebrated at Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Makara Jyothi
  • Makara Vilakku: This is one of the most important festivals celebrated at the shrine. The festival begins on the day of Makara Sankranthi and continues for seven days. It is believed that the idol of Lord Ayyapan was installed in the temple o this particular day. The god is decorated with precious jewellery brought from the Valiya Koyikkal Sastha Temple at Pandalam. A representation of the Lord riding on a tiger is displayed on the platform of the Manimandapam. The idol of Mallikappurathamma is taken around in a procession on an elephant’s back till the holy 18 steps and then returns by circumambulating the shrine.
  • Vishu: The Malayali New Year is celebrated in mid-April and is known as Vishu locally. People wear new clothes and decorate their homes with lights. Offerings are made to God with Payasam, Appam, and milk sweets. The ritual arrangement of items like rice, fruits, betel leaves, arecanut, kanni flowers, mirror, and coins are presented in front of the Lord and pooja is performed for them. After the morning rituals of the day, children burst firecrackers celebrating the birth of the New Year.
  • Onam: The State festival of Kerala is celebrated in the month of Chingam (Aug-Sep). The grand festival is celebrated for 3 days. The day signifies the birth of the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the King Mahabali. It is also considered as a festival of harvest.

How to reach Sabarimala Temple?

  • By Air: The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport at a distance of 160 km. Alternatively, one can also land at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport situated at a distance of 170 km. Regular buses are available from these cities till Sabarimala.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is Kottayam at a distance of 90 km. Kottayam is well connected to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Guwahati, Vizag, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mangalore and New Delhi.
  • By Road: The Kerala State Transport operates buses from major cities and towns in Kerala to Sabarimala. Other nearby towns that can be used as a transfer point to Sabarimala, especially for pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are Thrissur, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.

Vehicles are allowed only until Pamba, 5 km before the main shrine. The new route is comfortable and easy to traverse.

Sabarimala Temple Pamba

However, many devotees still trek through the long and difficult older route through Erumeli. The distance from Erumeli to Sabarimala is roughly 60 km.

Where to stay near Sabarimala Temple?

The Sabarimala Temple Administration operates a pilgrim complex at Nadapanthal and Pandyathavalam. Several guesthouses have been constructed by them to meet the needs of the devotees. The rooms are clean and hygienic and can be booked at nominal rated by visiting their official website.

Where to eat near Sabarimala Temple?

A lot of small hotels have been set up near the base of the Sabarimala hills and at Pamba by the Sabarimala Temple administration. The cuisine provided is pure vegetarian and South Indian.

What are some temples near Sabarimala Temple?

  • Erumeli Ayyapan Temple: The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 61 km from Sabarimala. The traditional route to Sabarimala begins at Erumeli where the pilgrims begin their trek to reach the peak of Sabarimala hills known as the Neelimala. The temple’s deity Lord Ayyapan is represented here as an archer. This is also supposed to be the place where Lord Ayyapan killed the buffalo faced demon Mahishi.
  • Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple: The temple is closely associated with the Sastha Temple of Sabarimala. The deity worshipped here is the family deity of King Rajashekhara of the Pandalam kingdom. The jewels of Lord Ayyappa are kept at this temple and are taken out in a procession amidst high security. A divine presence of a Garuda can be seen circling around the treasure.
  • Nilakkal Mahadevar Temple: The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva lies on the traditional path taken by the devotees to reach Sabarimala. The temple is small and dedicated to Lord Shiva, father of Lord Ayyappa.
  • Chengannur Mahadevar Temple: The famous shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is located 97 km from Sabarimala. The main Shiva Linga is covered with Gold and represents the image of an Ardhanareeshwara – a Shiva-Shakti form. This Temple legend states that Kannagi, who burnt the city of Madurai down to ashes, came here to perform penance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sabarimala Temple open throughout the year?

No, the Sabarimala Temple is open for all the devotees during certain times in a year. The opening and closing dates vary.
Please refer: Opening dates of the Sabarimala Temple

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Sabarimala Temple is free of cost.

Is there an age restriction in the Sabarimala Temple?

There is no age restriction for men. However, ladies from the ages of 10 to 55 are not allowed inside the temple.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

Yes. There are facilities for specially-abled and senior citizens such as palkis.

What is the weather like during the summer?

The summers in Sabarimala starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 38 º C.

What are winters like in Sabarimala?

In Sabarimala, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 15 º C to 25 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.

If you have any questions about The Sabarimala Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.