| SABARIMALA |
 Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sanctum sanctoram nestles 914 m above sea level, amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western Ghats. 
The Village of Sabarimala is named after Shabari who did severe penance in order to meet Rama who granted her wish for her devotion and faith during her penance. The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. Regardless of caste, creed, colour, they wear black dhotis and carry on their heads, bundles containing traditional offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice.
 Chengannur railway station is the nearest station to reach Sabarimala.
Chengannur to Pamba (Via Aranmula) is 93 Kms
Pampa to Sannidhanam (Via Neelimala - Appachimedu - Sabaripeedom ) is approx 7 Kms
KSRTC bus service is available from the railway station to Pampa every half an hour. |
Chengannur, a beautiful town in 'God's own country', Kerala. Chenganoor, situates at the extreme east part of Alappuzha district. 117kms north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the Main Central Road (MC Road). Nammalwar of the 1st millennium CE, describes Chenkunrur or Chenganoor as a town where the smoke, emanating from the Vedic ritual yagna, fills the sky and as a place surrounded by rich lush vegetation (of bananas and coconuts).
Mahadevar Temple In Chengannur is one of the oldest and famous temple. It is a sprawling temple complex with a circular Sanctum. Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi are the main investitures of this temple. There are two main Shrines in this temple. Lord Shiva facing East and Devi facing West. The main shrine is a conical copper plated one. Devi's main Idol is made with an alloy of five metals "Panchalokham". The other sub-investitures of the temple are Ganapathi, Lord Ayyappan, SreeKrishnan, Chandikeswaran, Neelagrivan, Ganga, and Naagar. 
It is here that Mar Gregories Metropolitan the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church take his eternal rest . The ormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November, is very famous at this time a large number of people flock to this place for worship. The Travancore Devasam board has setup here a collage known as pampa college
The famous Parthasarathi temple on the banks of the holy river Pamba, 8kms from Chengannur is dedicated to Lord Krishna attracts large number of devotees. The annual commemoration of the installation of the deity falls on the last day of the Onam festival .It is as part of this celebration that the aranmula boat race is held on this day.
The river Pampa at Aranmulla.is the venue of this famous snake boat race.
12kms far from Chenganoor, a mammoth religious convention of Christians,but attended by people belonging to all communities, is held at Maramon, near Kozencherry, every year on the vast sandy beds of the river Pamba. The conventions takes place in February in an atmosphere of devotion and lasts for a period of seven days. Addressed by speakers of international repute and attended by devotees innumerable, this is the largest Christian convention in the world. The centenary celebration of the convention was held in February 1995.