Sannidhaanam, the Divine Presence

 
    

Sannidhaanam, the Divine Presence

Climbing the Sacred steps, the pilgrim reaches the focussing point of his austerities, the very goal of his pilgrimage – the Presence (Sannidhanam). He stands immersed in Bliss in the glorious Presence of Lord Ayyappa vibrant with Divine Grace. The doors within open to Eternity and the reassuring Grace Divine, which makes him more free, harmonious and peaceful.

Now the pilgrim moves towards the shrine of Lord Karthikeya, for worship. Then he

proceeds southwards to worship the Divine Mother, Maalikappuratrh-amma, whose shrine is located a little away towards the left side of Lord Ayyappa’s shrine. The main offering here is the rolling of the coconut around the shrine. Behind the shrine of Malikappurath-amma, a little away towards the east is a structure called Manimandapam, where the representative of the king of Pandalam takes rest on his arrival in Sabarimala. On its left is the seat of the Deities, Kochu Kadutha Swami and Karuppa Swami. There are also places of worship of the Divine Serpents and the nine Planetary Deities.

Towards the south-west corner is a compartment within which is a sculptured figure of a goat and an inscription ‘Shiva-thejomayam’.

After the worship, the pilgrim prepares for a symbolic pouring of his love and his very being into the Supreme Source of all existence, represented by the splendours idol of Lord Ayyappa, by the libation of it with the ghee contained in the Nei-thenga that he has brought. This is called Neiabhishekam.

The pilgrim settles at a convenient place in the sacred precincts and opens the Irumudikettu. The coconut filled with ghee is taken out from it. He breaks the coconut and drains out the ghee into vessel. Carrying this vessel, he joins a separate queue meant for Neyyabhishekam.

The spiritual disciplines during the austerities, the journey through mountain terrains

breathing fresh air and the mind absorbed in thoughts on the Lord, reinforces the whole being of the pilgrim. The experience gives him a deeper vision about life. And if he intensifies this awakening through further spiritual expansion, it will bring about profound evolutionary transformation of life. 

Every pilgrim will certainly gain a cultural and spiritual refinement, which may of course, vary with different individuals according to the range of receptivity.

Other routes to Sabarimala

Pilgrims going to Sabarimala from different parts reach Plappally; from there, there is only one way to Pampa.

From Kottayam to Pampa: There are the following routes: 

[1]   Changanacherry-Thiruvalla- Pathanamthitta 127 kms 

[2] Changanacherry-Thiruvalla-Kozhencherry-RanniBlockpadi- Vadasserikkara-Pampa 119 kms 

[3] Kodungoor -Chamampathal-Manimala-Placherry-Chethomkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa 105 kms 

[4] Kangazha-Pathanad-Manimala-Placherry-Chethomkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa 104 kms 

[5] Karukachal–Manimala-Mukkada-Edamon-Athikayam- Perunad-Pampa 100 kms 

[6] Ponkunnam-Erumely-Mukkottuthara-Pampavali-Plappally -Pampa 90 kms.

Erumely to Pampa: 

[1] Karimkallummyzhy-Thulappally -Plappally -Pampa 56 kms (Because of the steep ascent, this route is not suitable for heavy vehicles) 

[2] Mukkuda -Athikkayam-Perunad-Pampa 64 kms 

[3] Vechuchira-Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa 57 kms 

[4] Erumely-Placherry-Chethornkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa 69 kms. From the north, pilgrims can reach Pampa via Erumely without touching Kottayam by taking the route via Ettumannor -Pala -Ponkunnam-Erumely -Chethomkara- Athikayam-Perunad-Pampa 153kms. Many Pilgrims from Ernakulam region take the route via Alappuzha-Changanacherry- Thiruvalla–Pathanamthitta -Mannarakulanji-Vadasserikara-Perunad-Plappalli-Nilackal-Chalakayam- Pampa 69 kms.

Chengannur to Pampa: 

[1] Aranmula-Thekkamala-Pathanamthitta -Vadasserikkara-Pampa 93 kms.

[2] Aranmula -Ranni Blockpady-Vadasserikkara-Pampa 69 kms. Chengannur is the nearest railway station to Sabarimala.

Pandalam to Pampa: Kaippattur-Omallur-Pathanamthitta-Vadasserikkara-Pampa 84 kms.

Thiruvanathapuram to Pampa 

[1] Ayoor-Punalur-Pathanamthitta to Pampa 184 kms 

[2] Kottarakkara-Adoor-Pathanamthitta and onwards179 kms.