About Pathinettampadi

Built on a plateau about 40 feet high, the Ayyappan temple commands a lofty view of the mountains and valleys all around. The ancient temple has been rebuilt after a fire in 1950, consisting of a sanctum sanctorum with a copper-plated roof and four golden finials at the top, two mandapams, the belikalpura which houses the altar, and the flag-staff Replacing the earlier stone image of the deity is a beautiful idol of Ayyappa in panchaloha, an alloy of five metals, about one and a half feet tall. There are several explanations regarding the significance of the Patinettampadi, but in all of them, the emphasis is on the number 18. One popular belief is that the first 5 steps signify the five indriyas or senses, the next 8 the ragas, the next 3 the gunas, followed by vidya and avidya. Crossing these would take the devotee closer to self-realisation. Originally it was granite stone of 5 to 6 feet wide. Now it is covered by panchloha in the year 1985. The steep steps are so important and holy, no one can climb them without fasting for 41 days and carrying the holy irrumudi on head.

There are many mythology associated with the holy Patinettampadi. Some believe the eighteen steps denotes the 18 puranas. Some say that 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappa destroyed the evil denotes the 18 steps. Others are of the belief that the first five steps denotes the indriyas (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin). The next eight steps signifies the ragas (tatwa, kama, krodha, moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara. The next three steps signifies the gunas (satwa, rajas and thamas). The seventeenth and the eighteenth denotes vidhya and ignorance. The Patinettampadi can be used only twice - once for ascending the temple and once for descending below leaving the hill. Before ascending or descending the steps, pilgrims break coconut as an offering to the steps. One needs to have the sacreIrumudi on head while going up or down the 18 steps. While descending the steps the devotees climb down backwards facing the sanctum sanctorum.

One who climbs the Patinettampadi for 18 times shall plant a sapling of coconut in Sabarimala.

Accommodation at Sabarimala, Sannidanam and Pamba

ACCOMMODATION AT SANNIDHANAM & PAMBA

Devaswom Guest House at Sannidhanam
Guest House	No. of Rooms	Rent	Phone
Maramath – Complex	22	225 to 450	04735-202027
Donor House I	24	250	04735-202041
Donor House II	16	150	“
Hall	2	600	”
Donor House III	24	250	“
Donor House IV	24	250	“
Donor House V	19	400 to 750	“
Pilgrim Centre I	103	150	“
Pilgrim Centre II	115	250	“
G.K.D. Charity Trust Hall	2	700	“
Poorna Pushkala Hall	1	450	“
Cottages (5)	51	600 to 1000	“
Malikappuram Building	16	100	“
Hall	1	100	“
Sabari Nivas	64		04735-202321

Accomodation For 3 Persons 375 Remit

" 4 Persons 600 Rs.50/- for

" 5 Persons 700 Extra bed

For Advance booking for accomodation in Devaswom guest houses contact:

Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board, Nanthancode,
Thiruvananthapuram. Phone: 0471-2315156, 2316963, 2317983

For Booking from Sabarimala Contact:

Accomodation Office at Sannidhanam Phone:04735-202049
Pilgrims can book rooms in advance in the guest house of Forest Department and Kerala State Electricity Board:

Sannidhanam Forest IB Phone: 202074 / 202075

6 Room Rs.300 per day Contact:
Field Director, Project Tiger Kottayam, Kerala Phone:0481-2565940
Sannidhanam KSEB IB Phone: 202024

3 Rooms Rs.20/- per person. 1 Hall: Rs.10/- Per person
Contact: Board Secretary, Vaidyuthi Bhavan
Thiruvananthapuram, Phone:0471-2448989
Forest Department has also an IB Dormitary at Pamba. IB has 3
Rooms (Rs.300 per day). Accomodation is available in the Dormitary for Rs.50 per person.

* Rate mentioned may change without notification. We take no responsibility for correctness of the rates mentioned. Please contact Travancore Devasom Board for current rates.

The Makara Jyothi and Makara Vilakku

Main event at Sabarimala is the Makara Jothi (usually on January 14th). Thiruvabaranam or the sacred jewels of the Lord (presented by Padalam King) arrives at Sabarimala in three boxes. On the arrival of the jewel boxes the whole mountain reverberates to the chanting of 'Saranam Ayyappa' by millions of devotees gathered there to watch the event.

The Thiruvabaranam box - still the private property of the Pandalam royal family, starts it journey two days before Makara Jothi day from Pandalam. The person who carries the box dances in a trance that can be believed only by who witnesses it.Thiruvabaranam travels through Valiakoikkal Sastha temple at Pandalam, Ayiroor Puthia Kavu Temple, Perunattil temple, Vlakkai, Nilaikkal Siva temple, Vellachimala,

Pamba and Sabari Peedam before reaching at Sannidhanam around 6.00 PM ontheMakara Jothi day. Every year a Garuda hovers and flies above the Thiruvabaranam boxes as if to guard them.On reaching the Sannidhanam the Melshanthi and Thandhri receive the sacred jewels amidst of thundering echoes of Sarana ghosham. The Thiruvabaranam box contains a diamond crown, golden bracelets, necklaces and a sword. The priests adorn the Lord with these and perform arathi.

At the same moment a brilliant light of amazing magnificence appears in the northeastern side to the temple at opposite mountain in a place called Kantamala (the home of devas and rishis). It is believed that this brilliant flame of light is the arathi performed by the rishis and the devas. This event marks the culmination of the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

Makara Vilakku :

After the jothi, that night Malikappurathuamma, mounted on an elephant comes in a procession to the Patinettampadi (18 steps ) and returns back to her abode. This is the beginning of the Makara Vilakku festival. This festival lasts for seven days. Many pilgrims stay back till this festival is over and Kuruthi pooja (offering of water mixed with chunnambu and turmeric powder to the forest deities) is performed.

Even some who leave Sabarimala after witnessing the Jothi observe fasting till the Makara Villaku and Kuruthi pooja is complete at Sabarimala.

Other festivals :

Onam, Mandalapooja, Pankuni Uthram (Lord Birthday) and Vishu are the other festivals celebrated in Sabarimala with pomp and glory.