| Temples & Legends Of Kerala |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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SABARIMALA |
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Then there is
the long arduous trek through mountains, valleys and forests abounding in wild animals the
three routes available to reach the sanctum, the one via Erumeli is the longest-about 72
km.-and the arduous. This is also the most sacred because it is believed to have been
traversed by Ayyappa Himself. The easiest route, however, is via Chalakayam near Pampa
upto which vehicles ply nowadays. From Pampa 001': one mountain-Neelimala-is to be
crossed. Hence is preferred by the majority of pilgrims nowadays.
Peculiar again are the eighteen steps (Pathinettampadi) leading to the sanctum sanctorum.
Nowhere the steps of a temple are held as sacred as those at Sabarimala. Only those who
observe the 41-day austerities and carry the Irumudi can climb these steps. |
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