| Places around Sabarimala |
| Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple |
| An important pilgrim centre in Pathanamthitta district located 40kms from Nilambur, Achankovil is believed to be consecrated by Lord Parasurama. Dharmasastha temple attracts pilgrims from Kerala and Tamilnadu through out the year specially during the Sabarimala season dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Ayyappa the idol of the main deity here is called Rudraksha Shila. Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival held at 'Ravathi' (January-February) are the two important festivals of this temple. Snake bite treatment is also done in the temple as the sandal paste in the hands of the idol of Dharma Sasta is believed to have miraculous cure for snake toxin. |
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| Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple |
| On the banks of Achankovil river, is the Valiyakoyickal Temple of Sri Dharma Sastha located 15 kms away from Pathanamthitta. Ayyappa shrine here has been modeled on the Sabarimala temple. Before proceeding to Sabarimala pilgrims usually stop here to worship. The 'Makaravilaku' festival is the procession carrying the 'Thiruvabharanam' (sacred ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa from the Valiyakoyical temple to Sabarimala one of the major events associated with the temple performed three days prior to makaravilakku. |
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| Pampa Maha Ganapathi Temple |
| 60kms from Pathanamthitta town and 8 Kms from Sabarimala, has an important roll in the Sabarimala pilgrimage the Mahaganapathi Temple at Pampa is the main halting point. By climbing about 102 steps the temple is reached. The main offering here in the temple is breaking of coconuts. The other holy places close to the temple are Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi. |
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| Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam |
| About 16 kms from Pathanmathitta town in Kodumon panchayat Chilanthiyambalam is situated. Temple was constructed during the reign of the last king of the Sakthibhadra Kingdom. Irrespective of caste and creed the deity of the temple, Mahalakshmi is worshipped by all people. A Chilaanthikinar (Spider well) and the water from in the temple premises it is considered as the universal remedy for skin diseases. Kodumon is also the birth place of Sree Shakthi Bhadra, author of 'Ascharya Chudamani'. |
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| Malayalappuzha Devi Temple |
| 3000 years old, the Bhagavathy temple at Malayalapuzha located about 8kms from Patthanamthitta. The temple is famous of its beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings constructed in ancient style of architecture. The temple is situated atop a hill. Goddess Bhadrakali popularly known as 'Malayalapuzha Amma' the idol of the main deity is about 5.5 feet tall made of a mixture of molasses, clay and herbs. For the darshan of the Goddess, Tuesday and Friday are considered as the most auspicious days. Christians and Muslims visit the temple though it is a Hindu temple to seek the blessings of the Devi. A Shivalingam is present on the southern corner of the temple. |
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