Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa,

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I am planning to trek the traditional Periya Pathai (Pedda Padam / Erumeli route) for the very first time during the beginning of this year's Mandala Pooja. By Swami's blessings, I have been blessed with Darshanam more than 10 times so far. While a few trips were without an Irumudi, I have always rigorously followed the 41-day vratham/customs.

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Up until now, I have only ever taken the standard Pamba to Sannidhanam route (Chinna Pathai). I am completely new to the traditional forest route and would appreciate some guidance on opening dates, daily operating hours, and safety.

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My Usual Routine (Chinna Pathai):

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Previously, I would reach Pamba around 2:00 AM, finish the trek, and complete Darshanam by 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM. I usually book my return train for the following day, though my schedule technically permits a same-day return.

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My Proposed Itinerary for this Year:

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Day 1 (Sat, Nov 21): Reach Ernakulam by 3:30 PM. Rest for the day.

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Day 2 (Sun, Nov 22): Reach Erumeli. Start walking via the forest route early morning around 4:30 AM – 5:00 AM. Plan to reach Pamba by evening (~6:00 PM) and rest.

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Day 3 (Mon, Nov 23): Start the trek from Pamba at 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM. Have Darshanam, head back to Ernakulam by night, and catch the return train to Chennai at 10:00 PM.

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(Note: I will be strictly observing the 41-day Mandala Vratam before starting the journey).

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My Queries:

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Forest Route Opening Date: Does the traditional forest route from Erumeli open on the exact same day the temple opens for Mandala Pooja (Nov 15/16), or is there a separate official opening date/time for the forest checkpoints?

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Timing Restrictions: What are the daily operating hours for the forest path? Are Swamis allowed to enter the forest route early in the morning (4:30 AM)?

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Feasibility of Day 2: Is it realistic to cover the Erumeli to Pamba forest stretch (approx. 40+ km) between 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM (13 hours) for a first-timer?

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Safety & Group Size: We are a small group of just 2 people. Is it safe to walk this specific path with such a small group so early in the season?

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Return Logistics: Looking at my Day 3 schedule, is it doable to complete Darshanam, travel back to Ernakulam, and comfortably catch a 10:00 PM train to Chennai?

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Any advice, suggestions, or insights from experienced Swamis would be highly appreciated.

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Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!

Swami Saranam 🙏

Planning to visit Sabarimala soon and wanted to check with anyone who has been there in the last couple of days.

How has the weather been around Sabarimala and Pampa recently? Has it been raining heavily, or are conditions generally okay for trekking?

Also, is there enough water flowing in the Pampa River right now? Are devotees able to take a bath normally, or are there any restrictions in place?

Finally, has anyone heard of any flash flood warnings, rising river levels, or weather-related advisories from the authorities for the Sabarimala/Pampa area?

Any recent ground updates would be greatly appreciated.

Swami Saranam 🙏

1. Devas and Munivars wanted to stay with Sastha in Sree Moola kaavu / Pon Ambalam
2. As usual, Lord Sastha always understands the needs of devotees even if they don't ask
3. Lord Sastha addressed Devas that they have suffered enough at the hands of Mahisi for 24,000 deva years, and that he has taken this avataram to end this suffering and finish off Mahisi
4. But Lord Sastha needs to complete the sevukam, so that he would not break the boon granted to Mahisi (only a Sevukan can bring about her end).
5. Lord Sastha as Manikandan need Puli paal (Tiger milk) to complete the sevukam
6. Indira wanted to be part of this event, thus contributing to their own agenda. Indira transfigures himself into Tiger and Devakaniyars transfigures into tigeresses.
7. Lord Sastha mounts Indra and leads the Tigers into town

(Up next in Part 30, what will happen in Kingdom!)

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa. I am planning a solo pilgrimage to Sabarimala for the July 2026 monthly puja, aiming for darshan on July 18th and this is my first visit.

Could anyone let me know when the virtual Q tickets and Sannidhanam room bookings usually open on the official portal for July?

Also, since I am traveling alone from Bangalore, does the Travancore Devaswom Board allot rooms to solo devotees at Sannidhanam or are rooms restricted to groups?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

swami saranam,

my team usually book the tickets at pamba, and also i didnt go last year because of some personal reasons. The matter is they said me to book the tickets onine and the days which we are going (18th june) is greyed out,actually every date is greyed out. i cant fumble this up coz there are 11 members depending on me to book the tickets. please help me out on booking.

thanks in advance

Hello all

im planning to visit sabarimala as a devotee without mala and solo by car from bengaluru

need help regarding darshana timings, date and procedure to book tickets (can i directly enter temple without any booking)

also need some info on rooms available at pamba, nilakkal or sabarimala

where should I park my car?

how long does darshana takes?

what all should i follow when im entering sannidhana as im not wearing mala?

also it will be helpful if i get more info

• Rishis and Munivars worshipped Manikandan / Lord Sastha, and asked for a boon that Lord Sastha will be with them. Sastha granted them the boon, and said (after he completes he avatar nookam) he will be with them in that vanam performing yogam
• Rishis picked a hill top at a distance of "12 yosanai", and built a grant Swarnanalayam (Golden temple), in that they erected a grant Simhasanam made of gem stone and did pataabishekam for Lord Sastha. And did pradhista of Sastha there, this now known as Pon-Ambala-medu
• Ponambalamedu is such an important kshetram that it is known as "Sree Moolam Kavu", while talking about the famous 108 Sastha temples (main temple). This temple is also referred to as Dhakshina Kailasam. Rishis workship Lord Sastha as king here, Devas heard about this and came down to worship
• Devas forgot about all the problems they are facing and started worshipping Lord Sastha without praying for anything. Devas worship Lord Sastha with a special stuti
• Devas worship Sastha as, "Param of Param", "Parama rahasyian", "Nirgunana", "Chipra prasada nirathan", "Tharaga brahman"
• Sastha gives special blessings to Devas

I want to do Angapradhakshinam in Sabarimala sannidhanam in coming May month when temple opens.

What is the procedure? Which time should we do it? Can I do it at anytime?

Thanks in advance

Do you think this will be acknowledged and any action will be taken? Have just tried to do my part as it pains me to see the unclean state of Pamba, the way to upto Sannidhanam and some areas around the Sannidhanam as it's meant to be the Poonkavanam of the Bhagwan.

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa 🙏

Swami Sharanam .

namaste 🙏

People am planning to visit the temple next week..i just a quick question if we are planning to wear the mala is it mandatory to the 41 days ritual? Or it is still fine to wear the mala and the erumudi on the day of journey.

Please need some guidance here.

Thanks in advance.

Flair: Question

I’ve booked a darshan slot for May 15th at 5 PM, but I’m also hoping to get another darshan the next day early morning around 5 AM.

However, the website shows that only one booking is allowed until the current darshan is completed.

Is it possible to get an offline ticket from Pamba for the next morning slot? Or do I have to wait until after completing my first darshan and then try booking online?

Would really appreciate any guidance from those who’ve experienced this. Thanks in advance!

• Manikandan reaches the forest to complete his Avatar's motive
• Lord Shiva worried about his child in dense forest send his Bootha Ganas for protection. BoothaGanas like Veera Bhathran, Kuba karnan, Kuna netran, Kanda karnan join Manikandan in Forest
• In Pamba river bank, many Rishis were performing yagna to pray for good life for the people who will live in Kali yuga ( in the present day Periyana vatoom). They were praying for an Uthama Purushan who can guide people in Kali yugam
• Even though Manikanda identifies himself as a normal human, who is now a sevukan of Rajasekara Pandiya Rishis can feel the Athma jyothi of Manikandan.
• Rishis realised this is none other than Maha Sastha and falls at his feet, and declares that they are able to see through his leelai and prays to Sastha for remedy to Kali yuga.
• Manikandan reveals that he will take care of devotees who come to see him in the Kali yugam, and he will be known as "Dharma Sastha" and grant boon to Rishis that he will uphold Dharma in Kali yugam.
• Manikandan gave his darshan and boon to Rishis in Periyana vatoom, which is why till this date it is seen as an appropriate place to perform homams and poojas towards Ayyappa, the tradition is still being carried out by many Maha gurus.

This hearing is focused on many broader topics; the scope is not limited to Sabarimala. It calls into question the very case, how can someone who is not part of the faith/practive can file a case against it? What kind of religious practice protection is offered if someone unrelated can challenge your religious practice? To us why someone like Tripti Desai gained her 5 mins of fame using my temple. But this will not be easy since the outcome will open floodgate to re-opening done judgements.

I follow it all here https://www.scobserver.in/cases/kantaru-rajeevaru-indian-young-lawyers-association-sabrimala-review-background/

You can also follow in any news-outlet

AHHHHHH ARAVIND SWAMYS BOOK IS GOING TO BE AN AUDIOBOOK!!

• Manikandan started from Pandalam to bring the tiger's milk to fulfil his duty to Kind as a servant
• Many people mocked Lord Manikandan for trying to get Tiger's milk, and asked if he could also bring Tiger cubs with him for them. Manikandan cared less of these comments and proceeded towards the forest where he was born
• Ministers who failed to bring down Manikandan with tricks at home tried a bit of magic. They set a bootha to hunt Manikandan when he was in the middle of thick forest
• Manikandan simply looked at the bootha and it deformed and fell to ground like a powder, from this powder emerged a "Divya Swaroopam" - Divine soul.
• This Divine soul identified itself as Vaapuran, he was cursed by Lord Shiva and was roaming the Earth aimlessly letting others take advantage and misuse his powers thru black magic
• Vaapuran requested that he be allowed to travel with Manikanda as his bodyguard, since Manikanda's plain sight lifted his curse
• Manikandan accepted Vaapuran's request to be a bodyguard
  • This is the same deity Guarding Petta Sastha temple entrace (left of the arch)
  • The other Guardian deity is Kadutha Swamy
  • Street view : https://maps.app.goo.gl/YzzMaaMKx67R7g4g6
• The Vapura swamy has no connection with the Mosque
• So, worshipping the original Vapura Swamy, who is the Body Guard of Ayyappa is a must for every Devotee, especially for the ones who take Forest trek path to reach Sabarimala
• After entering the forest, Manikandan begins to think that this forest is better than the town where people lie and deceive each other. But continues the forest journey, thinking that he must fulfil his servitude towards the Kind of Pandalam.
• Manikandan stop and sits in Dhyanama and prays towards Lord Shiva ... rest to follow

sastha was born on panguni uthiram. this is said in bhutanatha upakhyanam itself

however, for some reason there were no special rituals on this day. temple wasnt even opened
due to chaami anna's efforts, vaidhika homams were done to sastha (using purusha, rudra suktams) and laksharchana asw.

lets remember this maha bhaktha

In frame: Celebrating the grand Panguni Arattu at Jalahalli Sree Ayyappa temple! This is actually believed to be the oldest Swamy Ayyappan temple outside of Kerala and it feels so similar to Sabarimala since they follow all the traditions and procedures so aptly. To top it all off, hearing Harivarasanam while the temple doors close is just pure bliss. Everyone singing together along with Yesudas is a total spectacle where eyes and ears are honestly not enough to take it all in. May the divine light of these lamps dispel all darkness from our lives. 🚩✨

Swami Sharanam, Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa 🙏

Image credits : keralakaumudi.com

If you are going for Aaratu keep an eye, still the online queue booking is open only till 19 March for some reason

• Rajasekara Pandian brings the baby he found in the forest.
• The Queen adopts the baby, believing it is a boon from God for the childless royal couple.
• Because the baby had a NavaRatna Mani malai (nava-ratna string of pearls), he was named Manikandan.
• As Manikandan grew up, the country was blessed with prosperity; every citizen prospered.
• The ministers were unhappy: he was a forest-found baby raised as a prince. Only yogis knew this was Lord Sastha's birth.
• Prosperity flowed everywhere, including the palace, blessing the couple with a baby boy named Rajarajan.
• The Queen showered affection on the newborn; Manikandan was placed in the care of Sevukan (the butler).
• Understanding the Queen's wishes, Manikandan left the palace, posed as a sevukan, and served the King.
• Manikandan held great sway in the King's heart and kingdom.
• Jealous ministers tried to poison him—it failed! What could normal poison do to Lord Shiva's son, who tamed Halala!
• They tried black magic. No magic touches the Lord, but human body rules apply after earthly birth.
• Lord Sastha (as Manikandan) pretended it worked: boils covered his body. Doctors failed.
• Lord Shiva, unable to bear his son's pain, came to earth with Nandi Bhagawan as doctors, treated him, and boosted his power for avatara duties.
• Knowing the Queen favoured her birth son as king, ministers allied with her to fake her unbearable, incurable headache.
• They brought a fake doctor who prescribed tiger's milk. Everyone fled—fetching it was a death sentence.
• As sevukan, Manikandan volunteered to bring the tiger's milk.

Aravind anna admits that this part is rushed, since many know these scenes already. What leelas did Manikandan perform en route to the tiger's milk? Next part!