Instructions to Sabarimala Pilgrims
The oldest and the traditional form of the journey for the Sabarimala pilgrimage are via road. First to reach Erumely and trekking the forest road to get to the shrine. But the forest road is not easy, and pilgrims who are not well should choose Pamba route.A chain service exists between Pampa and Nilackal base camp.
Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here, pilgrims begin the climb to reach the temple, situated about six kilometres from Pamba. They usually proceed in groups under a leader, who is known as Guru Swamy, who is usually the most senior member, a criterion based on the number of pilgrimages undertaken to Sabarimala.
Dos
- Take rest for 5 minutes after a walk of 10 minutes during the climb.Use the traditional path – Marakoottam, Saramkuthy, Nadapanthal – to reach Sannidhanam.
- Follow the queue system to reach Pathinettampadi.
- Use the Nadapanthal fly over for return journey.
- Ascertain the general crowd situation and then only proceed to Sannidhanam from Pampa.
- While using Dolly, make payment only at the Devaswom counter and keep the receipt.
- Subject yourself to the security check at security checkpoints.
- Approach police for any help.
- Inform police about any suspicious characters.
- Buy good items from licensed outlets only.
- Keep Pampa, Sannidhanam and the trekking paths clean.
- Park vehicles only at the allotted parking slots.
- Deposit waste in the waste boxes only.
- Avail the facilities of medical centres and oxygen parlours if needed.
- In the case of isolation from groups /friends, devotees may report at police aid posts.
- Cleanliness- Throw waste only in collection bins. Keep the temple premises and trekking paths clean;
- Fire –Keep matchbox & other inflammable materials away from children.
- Fire-if lighted should be put out immediately after use;
- Remove plugs from sockets after use
- Place ‘viri’ only in the designated parking areas
- Follow queue system- Do not jump queue segment- do not rush in queue\Approach police for help
- Security check- cooperate with staff
- Use only toilets for urination/bowel clearance
- ID cards with name/address/telephone number to be hung around the necks of children/aged and Malikappurams-report to police when lost in the crowd
- Return journey-FROM MALLIKAPPURAM TEMPLE,
- Use ‘SARANA SETHU’, the new exit way leading to CHANDRANANDAN ROAD
Dont’s
- Do not use mobile phones at the temple premises.
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs.
- Do not jump the queue.
- Do not rush while in the queue.
- Do not carry weapons or other explosives substances.
- Do not entertain unauthorised vendors.
- Do not urinate outside toilets and clear bowels outside latrines.
- Do not make the extra payment for any service.
- Do not hesitate to approach police for any help.
- Do not throw waste anywhere other than the trash bins.
- Do not break coconuts on the Pathinetampadi.
- Do not cut coconuts anywhere other than on designated places on both sides of Pathinettampadi.
- Do not kneel at Pathinetampadi while climbing the holy steps.
- Do not use any path other than Nadapanthal flyover for the return journey.
- Do not rest anywhere at Upper Thirumuttam or Thanthrinada.
- Do not use pathways for viris at Nadapanthal and lower Thirumuttam.
- DO NOT BRING PLASTIC CARRY BAGS BEYOND NILAKKAL
- Fire – do not cause forest fire – do not throw burned wood/camphor/incandescent sticks etc. carelessly
- Fire – do not carry inflammable liquids, firecrackers.Cooking gas, stoves, etc. are not be used in Sannidhanam area
- Fire – electrical appliances are potential source of fire – do not overload by putting multiple connections
- Fire – burnt matches – do not throw carelessly
- Fire – do not cook food inside ‘viri’ sheds
- Fire – do not light camphor in temporary sheds
- Do not carry knives and other sharp weapons
- Do not operate electrical equipment with wet hands
- Trekking – do not climb hurriedly
- Do not smoke in Pampa, Sannidhanam and along the trekking routes
- Makara Jyothi Darshan – do not climb trees and on unsafe buildings
- Begging – prohibited – do not encourage
- Do not rest anywhere at Upper Thirumuttom.