Monthly pooja of Sabarimala Temple

Makaravilakku 2012 Pilgrimage:

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 30th December 2012
Makaravilakku : 15th January 2012
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 21 January 2012

February 2012 (Kumbham) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 13th February
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 18th February

March 2012 (Meenam) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 13th March
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 18th March
Sabarimala Temple Festival – Kodiyettam : March 27
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 5th April

April 2012 (Medam) :

Painkuni Uthram & Aarattu :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 5th April
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 18th April
Vishu Pilgrimage :
Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 9th April
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 18th April
Vishukkani Darshanam (Vishu 2012) : 14th April

May 2012 (Idavam) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 14th May
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 19th May
Prathishta Dinam 2012
Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 30th May
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 31st May

June 2012 (Mithunam) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 14th June
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 19th June

July 2012 (Karkkadakam) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 15th July
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 20th July

August 2012 (Chingam) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 16th August
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 21st August
Onam 2012 :
Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 27th August
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 31st August

September 2012 (Kanni) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 16th September
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 21st September

October 2012 (Thulam) :

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 16th October
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 21st October

November 2012 (Vrishchikam) :

Chithira Aattathirunnal

Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 11th November
Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 12th November
Mandala Pooja Pilgrimage 2012
Temple Opening (Nada Thurakkal) : 15th November
Mandala Pooja & Temple Closing (Nada Adakkal) : 26th Decemeber

Pilgrim season concludes today 20 january 2012

Kalabhabhishekom held at Sabarimala

The Kalabhabhishekom marking the culmination of the Neyyabhishekom ritual was performed at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple on Thursday.

Tantri Kandararu Maheswararu, assisted by Melsanthi N. Balamurali, prepared the Brahmakalasom for the Kalabhabhishekom in the forenoon.

Brahmakalasa puja

The Brahmakalasapuja was performed at the Eastern Mandapam of the Ayyappa temple.

The Brahmakalasom was taken out in a procession with the accompaniment of the Marapani and other traditional temple percussion to the sanctum sanctorum.

Pilgrims gather for Sabarimala ‘celestial light’, year after tragedy

Sabarimala, Jan 15 (IANS) A year after over 100 people died in a stampede after witnessing the Makara Jyothi, pilgrims in large numbers were stationed in and around Kerala’s Sabarimala temple to witness Sunday evening the ‘celestial light’ that appears on the horizon on Makara Sankranthi.
The light appears soon after dusk and to see this ‘miracle’, devotees, mostly from different parts of southern India, have taken vantage position at the temple top besides the surrounding hillsides.
Several measures have been taken by the administration taking into account the tragedy that took place at Pullumedu - a hillock near the famed temple - in which 102 pilgrims died in a stampede soon after devotees returned witnessing the celestial light last year.
“Police have made all the required arrangements to see that things are in place,” said an official attached to the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the custodian of the Sabarimala temple.
Special parking lots have been arranged, barricades set up and an estimated 3,000 security personnel are on duty to make the religious event a success.

Court directive to ensure pilgrim safety

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the State government to ensure that disaster management measures were put in place at Sabarimala and prompt action taken in the event of any eventuality.

Hundreds witness Erumeli pettathullal

The nearly 500-strong Ambalappuzha team this year was led by Kalathil Chandrasekharan Nair. This is his 14th consecutive term as the Samooha Periyon (team leader). The team members waited till they sighted the kite (Krishna Parunthu) in the noon skies. They made their offerings before the deity at the Sri Dharmasastha Temple - Cheriambalam before commencing the Pettathullal. Their slow rhythmic movements soon picked up momentum and they moved to the Nainar Mosque (Vavar Palli) across the road where they were received warmly by the local Jamaat authorities.

They entered the precincts of the mosque and paid obeisance to Vavar. After circumambulating the mosque, they moved along with the jamaat leaders towards the Sri Dharmasastha Temple - Valiambalam, nearly a kilometre down town.

Sabarimala getting ready for Makaravilakku

മകരവിളക്കിന്റെ തിരക്കിലേക്ക് ശബരിമല. വിളക്കിന് ഏതാനും ദിവസങ്ങള്‍മാത്രം ശേഷിക്കെ അന്യസംസ്ഥാനത്തുനിന്നുള്ള കൂടുതല്‍ തീര്‍ത്ഥാടകസംഘങ്ങള്‍ എത്തിത്തുടങ്ങി.

10 മുതല്‍ നൂറും അതിലധികവും പേരുടെ സംഘങ്ങളാണ് വന്നുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നത്. ഭജന, മേളം, കര്‍പ്പൂരതാലം എന്നിവയുടെ അകമ്പടിയോടെ എത്തുന്ന ഇവര്‍ ദിവസങ്ങള്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞേ മടങ്ങൂ. ഭക്തരുടെ എത്ര വലിയ സംഘം എത്തിയാലും ദര്‍ശനത്തിന് വലിയ പ്രയാസമില്ല. തീര്‍ത്ഥാടകരെ കയറ്റിവിടുന്നത് അത്രയ്ക്ക് കൃത്യതയോടെയാണ്.

മാളികപ്പുറത്തും പ്രസാദകൗണ്ടറുകള്‍ തുറന്നത് സൗകര്യമായി. തൊഴുതുമടങ്ങുന്ന ഭക്തര്‍ ഇവിടന്ന് പ്രസാദംവാങ്ങി ബെയ്‌ലി പാലംവഴി മടങ്ങാനാണ് ദേവസ്വം ബോര്‍ഡിന്റെ നിര്‍ദ്ദേശം. നേരത്തെ താഴെ തിരുമുറ്റത്തുമാത്രമായിരുന്ന കൗണ്ടറുകള്‍ക്കുമുമ്പിലെ തിരക്ക് ഇതോടെ ഒഴിവാകുന്നു.

More water to pamba due to makaravilakku

ശബരിമല: മകരവിളക്കിന് പതിവിലും കൂടുതല്‍ തീര്‍ത്ഥാടകരെത്തിയാല്‍ പമ്പാനദിയിലേക്ക് കുള്ളാര്‍ ഡാമില്‍നിന്ന് കൂടുതല്‍ വെള്ളം ഒഴുക്കുമെന്ന് ഇറിഗേഷന്‍ വകുപ്പ്.

കുടിവെള്ളക്ഷാമം ഉണ്ടാകാതിരിക്കാന്‍ എല്ലാ കരുതലുകളും എടുത്തെന്ന് വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിട്ടി.
കുള്ളാറില്‍നിന്ന് ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഒഴുകുന്ന 50,000 ഘനമീറ്റര്‍ ഒരു ലക്ഷമാക്കാനാണ് തീരുമാനം. 14, 15 തിയ്യതികളില്‍ ഒരു ലക്ഷവും പിന്നീട് മുക്കാല്‍ ലക്ഷവുമാക്കും.

പണ്ടാരക്കയത്ത് വെള്ളം ശേഖരിക്കാമെങ്കിലും കക്കിയില്‍നിന്നുള്ളത് സംഭരിക്കുന്നില്ല. കെ.എസ്.ആര്‍.ടി.സി. ബസ് സ്റ്റേഷനുസമീപം കക്കൂസുകള്‍ ഇല്ലാത്തതിനാലുള്ള ശുചീകരണപ്രശ്‌നം മൂലമാണിത്. ഇവിടെ ഉയര്‍ത്തിയിരുന്ന വേലികളൊക്കെ പൊളിച്ചുകളഞ്ഞു. തീര്‍ത്ഥാടകര്‍ക്ക് സ്‌നാനത്തിനാവശ്യമായ വെള്ളം തടയണകെട്ടി നിര്‍ത്തുന്നു. മലിനീകരണ ഭീഷണി ഭയന്നാണ് കൂടെക്കൂടെ പമ്പയിലെ വെള്ളം തുറന്നുവിട്ട് കോളിഫോമിന്റെ അളവ് കുറച്ചത്.

Devotees queue up for Thiruvabharanam darsanam

The Srambickal Palace at Pandaalm has been witnessing heavy rush of devotees to worship the Thiruvabharanam kept at the palace strong room ever since the beginning of the Makaravilakku festival.

The strong room was reopened on December 30 for the devotees to worship the Thiruvabharanam, sacred attire of the presiding deity at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. The darshan time is from 5.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Thiruvabharanam will be taken out in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala for the Makaravilakku festival.

Holiday plans hit as trains to Kerala are running full

 The aggregate revenue earnings in the ongoing mandalam-makaravilakku season at Sabarimala rose to Rs 114.66 crore on Monday, breaking the previous season's record of Rs 94.78 crore. According to the Travancore Devaswom Board, the income from the sale of aravana prasadam was Rs 48.97 crore and the hundi collection during the period touched Rs 41.58 crore.

Christmas and New Year holiday travellers to Kerala are finding it tough to get train tickets as a large number of people who usually travel by bus are opting for the railway because of road blocks along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border over the Mullaperiyar dam issue. Last minute travellers are the worst hit.

Tickets on popular trains and special trains are on waitlist for Friday, a day before Christmas. Railways has stopped reservations for trains to Kochi because of the long waitlist.

Lightining strike on Aravana plant earns record income

A lightning strike by daily-wage workers at the Aravana plant and packing unit at Sabarimala on Tuesday partially affected the functioning of the Prasadom unit at Sabarimala.

The workers began their strike at half past noon, demanding a written assurance from Travancore Devaswom Board president M. Rajagopalan Nair that their daily wage would be increased from Rs.250 to Rs.300.

M. Sathishkumar, Devaswom Executive Officer, told The Hindu that he had proposed a revision of the wage and the board had accepted it in principle.

The workers approached Mr. Rajagopalan Nair with the demand. He assured them that the board meeting on Wednesday would approve the revision, and asked them not to go on strike.

Mandala Pooja performed

A large number of pilgrims and devotees thronged Sri Vallabai Ayyappa temple at Ragunathapuram near here on Tuesday on the occasion of Mandala Puja.

As many as 550 persons, who were on fast during the last 48 days, took part in the “Pettaithullal” event , which commenced at Muthunachiamman temple and ended at Vallai Ayyappa temple.

Special abishegams and pujas were performed to the presiding deity, which was attended by more than 5,000 devotees, including women and children, from different parts of the district. A common feast was also organised.

R.S. Mohan, “Gurusamy” of the group of “Ayyappa Swamis,” said “Pettaithullal” was organised at the temple next only to Irumeni. His team would leave for Sabarimala on December 31.

Mala Arayans observe hunger strike for their rights to light 'Makara Vilakku'

Members of the Mala Araya community from Sabarimala observed a day-long hunger strike in front of the Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters here on Wednesday demanding restoration of their right to light the 'Makara Vilakku' on the Makarasankranti Day at Ponnambalemedu.

The protesters marched from Kowdiar junction to Devaswom Board junction, and the strike was accompanied by bhajans and folk arts presentations. Rahul Eashwar, grandson of Sabarimala Tantri (on his daughter’s side), addressed the protestors.

The Mala Araya community mostly inhabit the hillocks surrounding the Sabarimala pilgrim centre. Representatives of the community said that as per age-old tradition, it was the duty and right of Mala Araya community to light the Makara Vilakku on Makarasankranti. However, once the Travancore Devaswom Board was formed, it took away the right from the community. The Board had even fabricated the theory that Makara Vilakku was a super natural phenomenon.
Source:The Hindu

Different Ways to sabarimala and distances from different places - ശരണവഴി

അയ്യപ്പ ദര്‍ശനത്തിന് അധിക ഭക്തരും റോഡ് മാര്‍ഗ്ഗമാണ് എത്താറുള്ളത്. പത്തനം തിട്ടയില്‍ നിന്ന് പ്ലാപ്പിള്ളി, സീതത്തോട്, ചാലക്കയം വഴി പമ്പയിലെത്തി അവിടെ നിന്നും സന്നിധാനത്തിലെത്തുന്നു. എരുമേലിയില്‍ പോകുന്നവര്‍ അവിടെ നിന്നും പരമ്പരാഗത പാത വഴി കാല്‍ നടയായോ പമ്പാവാലി വഴി വാഹനങ്ങളിലോ പമ്പയിലെത്തുന്നു. പമ്പയില്‍ നിന്ന് നീലിമല, അപ്പാച്ചിമേട്, ശബരീപീഠം, ശരംകുത്തി, മരക്കൂട്ടം വഴി സന്നിധാനത്തേയ്ക്കുള്ള ഏഴ് കിലോമീറ്റര്‍ ദൂരം കാല്‍ നടയായി മാത്രമേ പോകാന്‍ കഴിയൂ. പമ്പയില്‍ നിന്നു തുടങ്ങി മരക്കൂട്ടം വരെ ചെല്ലുന്ന, കുത്തനെയുള്ള കയറ്റം കുറഞ്ഞ സ്വാമി അയ്യപ്പന്‍ റോഡിലൂടെയും മല കയറാം. 'സ്വാമി അയ്യപ്പന്‍'' സിനിമയില്‍ നിന്ന് ലഭിച്ച വരുമാനം കൊണ്ട് ശ്രീസുബ്രഹ്മണ്യം ട്രസ്റ്റ് പണിതീര്‍ത്തതാണ് ഈ റോഡ്. കുത്തനെ കയറ്റമുള്ള അപ്പാച്ചിമേടില്‍ ഭക്തര്‍ക്കു വേണ്ടി വൈദ്യസഹായം ഒരുക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.

കുമളിയില്‍ നിന്ന് കെ.കെ. റോഡ് വഴി വണ്ടിപ്പെരിയാറില്‍ എത്തി അവിടെ നിന്ന് ഉപ്പുപാറ വഴിയും സത്രം വഴിയും ആറ് കിലോമീറ്റര്‍ ദൂരം കാല്‍നടയായി മലയിറങ്ങി ശബരിമലയിലെത്തുന്നവരും ഉണ്ട്. തമിഴ്‌നാട്ടുകാരും ഇടുക്കി ജില്ലക്കാരുമാണ് പ്രധാനമായും ഈ പാത ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നത്.

വിവിധ സ്ഥലങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നും പമ്പയിലേക്കുള്ള ദൂരം ഇനി പറയുന്നു.

Helpline for devotees visiting Sabarimala

The Endowments Department is setting up an information centre to help devotees visiting Sabarimala. The centre would start functioning from December 24 in coordination with Travancore Devaswom Board at Sannidhanam of Sabarimala.The Centre would provide information relating to bus/train facilities, accommodation, darshan and helpline numbers of police, hospitals and about pilgrims in case of accidents. A helpline would also start functioning from December 20 in the Endowments Commissioner's office with toll free number -- 1800-425-6656. – Special Correspondent

35-year-old woman enters Sabarimala shrine

A purification ceremony was performed at the Lord Ayyappa temple here on Monday after a 35-year-old woman entered the shrine and offered worship in violation of the custom barring entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group.

The ceremony was performed at the 18 sacred steps (pathinettam padi) leading to the main temple, and near the sanctum sanctorum, temple administration officials said.

How to Book Online ticket to Sabarimala Darsanam

Here is a brief description of how to book online ticket for sabarimala darsanam.

THIS IS USER MANUEL FOR ONLINE TICKET REGISTRATION

•This facility is provided by Kerala Police as a part of Crowd Management which in turn saves precious time of the Pilgrims.
• The print out generated after registration (Q-Coupon) and Identity Card used for registration must be brought while coming for Darshan.
• The print out (Q-Coupon) and ID card are to be produced for verification by Police officials.
• Children aged below 15 do not require identity card but photograph is essential.
• The scanned passport size photograph must be in jpg / jpeg and size below 30 KB.
• Females aged between 10 to 50 are not allowed to perform pilgrimage at Sabarimala.
• Ensure that JavaScript and cookies of the browser are enabled before booking.
• Mozilla firefox and chrome browsers are recommended.
• Disable Pop-Up Blocker of the browser. 
Important Instructions to be followed in Queue Placement Coupon Booking.

   1. This facility is limited, to devotees who are coming to Sabarimala with Irumudikettu.
   2. If the web page is idle for more than 3 minutes the link will get disconnected.
   3. Before you start to register, please ensure that all the items mentioned below are available in your hand. 

             a) Identity Card

             b) Scanned passport size photo having size less than 30 KB.

                                  • Format of Picture should be JPG or JPEG only.

                                  • Face should be clearly visible

                                  • Photograph should not be taken wearing sun glasses.

    4. Do not use Refresh and Back button of the browser it will generate error.
    5. Identity card may be either of the following.

                                   • Passport

                                   • Electoral Photo Identity Card

                                   • PAN Cards

                                   • Driving License

                                   • Ration Card

                                   • Student Photo Identity Cards issued by Educational Institutions

                                   • Employee Identity Card

How to apply

*Click HERE to open Sabarimala Online ticket Booking Website

*On this website Click on "Q-Coupon booking"

*A pop-up window will appear (a picture that shown below) ,Here you can check the available dates for Q-coupon booking by selecting the months available in List-box and then click GO.

Pre-paid vazhipadu tickets from TDB Bus Service

The pilgrims availing the service of Devaswom Board’s bus to Sabarimala will be issued with Pre-paid vazhipadu tickets said Adv Rajagopalan Nair, President.

The pilgrims will be issued with sufficient number of pre-paid tickets for Appam, Aravana and Neyyabhishekam at Trivandrum itself.
Those who possess these kinds of tickets would be given all the offerings at the Devaswom Information Center at Valiyanadapanthal. The move would help the bus to run daily on time.

The bus has been running late for these days due to the rush at the counters of Aravana and Aravana. This move would help the pilgrims a lot in both reaching Sabarimala on time and from the rushes at the counters.

Sabarimala Revenue touches 77cr

SABARIMALA:The total revenue earnings at Lord Ayyappa temple during the period ended December 13 stood at `77.72 crore as against `58.78 crore during the corresponding period in the last pilgrimage season.
Revealing this, Travancore Devaswom Board president M Rajagopalan Nair said that the increase in the revenue was mainly because of around 20 per cent increase in the arrival of pilgrims during the ongoing season.

*Of the total revenue, the income from aravana sales stood at `33.68 crore during the period under review as against `24.25 crore in the same period last season.

*The hundi collection came to `26.64 crore during the period under review in contrast to `21.65 crore during the corresponding period last season.

*The income from the sales of appam stood at `7.25 crore as against `5.30 crore, he said.
Source: ibnlive.com

Heavy rush at Sabarimala

The Sabarimala temple witnessed a heavy influx of pilgrims, majority of them coming from the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, on Tuesday.

Pilgrims had to wait for nine to 10 hours on the traditional path and at the Valiya Nadappanthal for the holy Darshan.

Pilgrim dead

A 50-year-old pilgrim, identified as Rajendran of Orathanad in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu, died of heart attack on the Neelimala hill on Tuesday. The pilgrim had reportedly collapsed while climbing the Neelimala around 11 a.m. Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers rushed him to the cardiology centre at Neelimala-Top where he was declared dead.

The body was taken to Thanjavur.

Source: The Hindu PATHANAMTHITTA, December 14, 2011

Sabarimala Dolly services rate increased from Pamba to Sannidhanam

Sabarimala Dolly services

Tickets for ‘dolly’ from Sannidhanam to Pamba is now available from the Publicity Office situated at the Valiya Nadapandal. Till now tickets were only available from Pamba. Since no prior booking system was available at the Sannidhanam it had been bought to notice that sometimes devotees had to pay higher wages on the return trip to Pamba. This is why authorities decided to begin issuing tickets from the Publicity Office. The rate for a ‘dolly’ from Sannidhanam to Pamba is Rs.1000.
 ശബരിമല : dolly pre-paid services 
           തീര്‍താടകാരുടെ വ്യാപകമായ പരാതിയെ തുടര്‍ന്നു dolly ക്ക് pre-paid counter കള്‍ ആരംഭിച്ചു.പമ്പ ഗണപതി കോവിലിനു സമീപത്തെ ദേവസ്വം വക office കളിലും ചെളികുഴി,നീലിമല എന്നിവിടങ്ങലുമാണ് counter റുകള്‍.3 counter റുകളിലും പോലീസ് ,ദേവസ്വം ഉധ്യോകസ്ഥരുടെ സേവനം ലഭ്യമാകും.ഇ counter റുകളില്‍ ചുമട്ടുകാര്‍ register ചെയ്യണം.ഓരോ dolly ക്കും നമ്പര്‍ നല്‍കും.Register ചെയ്ത സ്റ്റാന്റ് കളില്‍ നിന്ന് മാത്രമേ തീര്‍ത്താടകരേയും കൊണ്ട് പോകാന്‍ പാടുള്ളൂ.അമിത കൂലി വാങ്ങുന്നു എന്ന പരാതിയെത്തുടര്‍ന്ന് സ്പെഷ്യല്‍ കമ്മിഷണര്‍ ദേവസ്വം അധികൃതരുമായി നടത്തിയ ചര്‍ച്ചക്കൊടുവില്‍ dolly ക്ക് കൂലി വര്‍ദ്ധിപ്പിക്കാനും തീരുമാനമായിട്ടുണ്ട്.സന്നിധാനം മുതല്‍ പമ്പ വരെ തിരിച്ചും Rs.1900 എന്നത് Rs.2300 ആയും ഒരു ഭാഗത്തേക്ക് Rs.900 എന്നത് Rs.1200 ആയും വര്‍ദ്ധിപ്പിച്ചു.