Ayyappa Temple Kerala is quite a famous shrine of Kerala. It is located in Sabarimala village, in eastern Kerala. So, the temple is also well-known as Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Here are all the facts you need to know about Ayyapa Temple:
Sabarimala Temple History
Sabarimala Temple history is related to Lord Ayyappa. Lord Ayyappa was the son of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. As per the legend, at the Sabari Hills base, the deity was placed by Lord Parasurama. In the holy book ‘The Ramayana’, this fact has been inscribed. Vaishnavism and Shaivism, the two Hinduism branches came together to take the form, Lord Ayyapa. Lord Ayappa is quite famous as Dharma Shasta and Lord Buddha, although there is no verified data about it.
Sabarimala name was actually derived from ‘Shabari’, the one who did self-mortification rigorously to meet Lord Rama.
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple at Various Locations
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is present at various locations in India. The main Shrine is Ayyappa Temple Kerala, however, others are, Ayyappa Temple Bangalore, Ayyappa Temple Faridabad, Ayyappa Temple Pune etc. So, one can take advantage of pious glimpses of deity, Lord Ayyappa in any areas mentioned above and get a permanent relief from daily stress.
No discrimination for Entrance
Unlike other Kerala temples, there are no discriminations at all on the terms of religions. However, the women from 10 years to 50 years of ages were prohibited to enter the temple premises. Well, the honorable Supreme Court has passed the verdict in favor of women entry to the shrine, of all age groups. Now all are allowed to get blessed by entering and getting pious glimpses of deity.
Sabarimala Temple Opening Time
Morning: 3:00AM – 1:00PM
Evening: 3:00PM – 11:00PM
These are Sabarimala Temple opening times for each day.
Neyyabhishekam Timings are:
3:30AM – 7:00AM
8:30AM – 11:00AM
Sabarimala Temple Opening Dates 2018-19 with timings:
This temple doesn’t remain open for all the days of the month. Here’re the details of its opening dates of each month:
| MONTHS | POOJA DETAILS | OPENING DATE | CLOSING DATE |
| January | Makara Vilakku Day | 14-01-2018 | |
| February | Kumbham (Monthly Pooja) | 12-02-2018 5:00PM | 17-02-2018 10:00PM |
| March | Meenam (Monthly Pooja) | 14-03-2018 5:00PM | 19-03-2018 10:00PM |
| Utsavam | 20-03-2018 5:00PM | 30-03-2018 10:00PM | |
| Kodiyettam | 21-03-2018 | ||
| Utsavam Aarattu-Panguni Uthram | 30-02018 | ||
| April | Vishu Mahotsavam-Meda | 10-04-2018 5:00PM | 18-04-2018 10:00PM |
| Vishu Darshan | 15-04-2018 | ||
| May | Edavam (Monthly Pooja) | 14-05-2018 5:00PM | 19-05-2018 10:00PM |
| Pratishtha Dinam (Idol Installation Day) | 24-05-2018 5:00PM | 25-05-2018 10:00PM | |
| June | Midhunam (Monthly Pooja) | 14-06-2018 5:00PM | 19-06-2018 10:00PM |
| July | Karkkidakam (Monthly Pooja) | 16-07-2018 5:00PM | 21-07-2018 10:00PM |
| August | Chingam (Monthly Pooja) | 16-08-2018 5:00PM | 21-08-2018 10:00PM |
| Onam Pooja | 23-08-2018 5:00PM | 27-08-2018 10:00PM | |
| Onam Day | 25-08-2018 | ||
| September | Kanni (Monthly Pooja) | 16-09-2018 5:00PM | 21-09-2018 10:00PM |
| October | Thulam (Monthly Pooja) | 17-10-2018 5:00PM | 22-10-2018 10:00PM |
| November | Sree Chitra Atta Thirunal | 5-11-2018 5:00PM | 6-11-2018 10:00PM |
| Mandala Pooja Mahotsavam | 16-11-2018 5:00PM | 27-12-2018 10:00PM | |
| December | Mandala Pooja | 27-12-2018 | |
| Thirunada reopens (For Makara Vilakku Mahotsavam) | 30-12-2018 5:00PM | 20-01-2019 | |
| January 2019 | Makara Vilakku Day | 14-01-2019 |
How to Reach Sabarimala Ayyapa Temple
You can reach there by any mode of transportation air, train and road, you are comfortable in. at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports are located having the distance of 106 km and 115 km from Sabarimala. If you want to reach via railways, then, railway stations are located at Chengannur and Kottayam. Buses ply from all the major cities to Sabarimala. By any transportation mode, you can reach Pampi which is the last destination. After that, you need to pass the distance on foot, which is about 5kms.
We all need a place to stop the negativity and unending flaws. It’s time to act and visit a place having powers to keep the negativity under control, just as Ayyappa Temple.
