Map: Routes to Sabarimala Temple
The normal itinerary of a Sabarimala pilgrim is to reach Erumely before
proceeding to Pamba through the Mannarakulanji-Chalakkayam Road and trekking the forest
road to reach the shrine. Following are a few routes that could be adopted by devotees:
1. FROM PATHANTHITTA: Mannarakulanji, Vadasserikkara, Perunadu,
Plappally, Nilakkal, Chalakkayam, Pamba. Distance: 69 km.
2. FROM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are two routes:
a. Ayoor,Punalur, Pthanmathitta and Pamba. Distance: 184 km.
b. Kottarakkara, Adoor, Pathanmthitta. Distance: 179 km.
3. FROM CHENGUNOOR: There are two routes to reach Pamaba from Chengunoor,
the nearest railway station to Sabarimala:
a.Chengunoor-Aranmula-thekkemala-Pathanamthitta-Pamba. Distance: 93 km.
b.Chengunoor-Aranmula-Ranni Blockupadi-Vadasserikkara-Pamba. Distance:
88km.
4. FROM KOTTAYAM: There are several routes to Pamba from Kottayam, one of
the main transit points in the pilgrimage. The important five routes are the
following:
a.Kottayam-Changanassery-Thiruvalla-Kozhenchery-Ranny
Blockupadi-Vadasserikkara-Pamba. Distance: 119 km.
b.Kottayam-Kodungoor-Chamampathal-Manimala-PLachery-Chethonkara-Athikkayam-
Perunadu-Pamba. Distance: 105 km.
c.Kottayam-Kangazha-Pathanadu-Manimala-PLachery-Chethonkara-Athikkayam-Peru
nadu-Pamba. Distance: 104 km.
d.Kottayam-Karukachal-Manimala-Mukkada-Edamon-Athikkayam-Perunadu-Pamba.
Distance: 100 km.
e.Kottayam-Ponkunnam-Erumely-Mukkuttuthara-Pambavalley-PLappally-Pamba.
Distance: 90 km. This is one of the easiest routes to reach Pamba.
5. FROM ERUMELY: There are four routes to Pamba from Erumely.
a.ERumely-Karinkallum Moozhy-Thulappally-PLappally-Pamba.
Distance: 56 km.
Resort to this route only if you are coming by a light vehicle as the road is
narrow and there are several steep climbs.
b.Erumely-Mukkada-Athikkayam-Perunadu-Pamba. Distance: 64km.
c.Erumely-Vechuchira-Athikkayam-Perunadu-Pamba. Distance: 57 km.
d.Erumely-Plachery-Chethonkara-Athikkayam-Perunadu-Pamba.
Distance: 69km.
6. FROM PANDALAM: There are two routes to reach Pamba from Pandalam, the
seat of royal family who adopted Lord Ayyappa. The devotee can see the thiruvabharanam,
the set of ornaments of the lord, exhibited at the Pandalam palace.
a.Pandalam-Kaipattur-Omallur-Pathanmathitta-Vadasserikkara-Pamba.
Distance: 84 km.
b.Pandalam-Kulanada-Ambalakkadavu-Muripara-Pathanthitta-Pamba.
Distance: 84 km.
7. FROM NORTH KERALA: Devotees from northern part of KErala can reach
Pamba without touching Kottayam. the main routes are:
a.Angamaly-Ettumanur-Pala-Ponkunnam-Erumely-Chethonkara-Athikkayam-
Perunadu-Pamba. Distance: 146 km.
b.Through the same route one can also reach Ranny and then
Vadasserikkara-Pamba. Distance: 153 km.
c.Ernakulam-Alappuzha-Chaganassery-Thiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Pamba.
Distance: 170 km.
8. FROM TAMIL NADU: The two main routes are:
a. Chengottai-Punalur-Pathanthitta-Pamba. Distance: 170 km.
b. Kumily-Vandiperiyar-Erumely-Plappally-Pamba. Distance: 180 km.
IN CASE YOU FORGET
There aren't any fuel stations on Vadasserikkara-Pamba route. Fill your tanks and store
enough quantities at Vadasserikkara. Though a fuel station is functioning at Pamba,
availability of petrol and diesel cannot be ensured.
Carry out minor repairs of your vehicles before you enter the ghat
section.
There are many workshops at Erumely, Pathanamthitta, Vadasserikkara, etc.
MUST: Keep important spare parts and tool kit with you.
And don't forget that extra tyre.
