Initiatives To Purify River Pampa

Lakhs of Lord Ayyappa devotees take mandatory dip in River Pampa before proceeding to the shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala in the state during their annual pilgrimage. The flow of devotees remains incessant between November and January every year, and during this period the river gets highly polluted because of clothes, garlands, flowers, and other items being discarded by these devotees. 


 Over the years, the pollution level in this river has been increasing, and the government has envisaged a plan to purify the river water by setting up water purification plants at important points. People living in various places around Sabarimala Hills depend upon River Pampa for their requirements, both for consumption and agriculture. 


Therefore, there is an emergent need to maintain cleanliness of river water. If the plan of the government moves ahead as envisaged, the devotees, who were facing the need to take bath in contaminated water annually during the pilgrimage, will be able to have the satisfaction of taking bath in clean water in about two years time from now. PJ Joseph, Kerala water resources minister, says that Israel has been in the forefront in using modern technology for water purification. He points out that this technology, adopted to cleanse River Yamuna, has been found to be successful.

Cops back with ropes in Sabarimala

In the wake of the heavy rush of devotees, police officials are using ropes to stop devotees at several points, especially from Marakkoottam to Saramkuthy in the queue, despite a High Court directive against this.


“Police started using ropes as per the High Court directive allowing the use of ropes in emergencies, following requests from Special Officer P. Vijayan and ADGP P. Chandrasekharan,” said S. Jagadeesh, special commissioner.


The High Court banned the use of rope to control devotees when two devotees died after getting trapped in the rope in the rush last year.


Measures to control and direct pilgrims went haywire in many points as the crowd tried to break the queue and make their way to the hill shrine. The huge turnout of devotees has forced police officials to bring back the rope system for the first time this season.


Since iron bars are not there at many points to check the influx of crowds, police blocked the crowds at more than ten points using ropes. Devotees were allowed to advance in the queue batch by batch from Marakkoottam to Sannidhanam.


‘We have no other way to control the crowd. Many are reaching the Sannidhanam by infiltrating through jungle paths. It is impossible to control them with two or three policemen, said a police officer manning a point in the queue line.


Devotees had a hard time in the long queues as there was no arrangement to provide drinking water to them. Those who collapsed were taken to nearby hospitals by volunteers of the Ayyappa Seva Sangham.

Sabarimala plastic ban dissolves in pilgrim influx

Though Sabarimala has been declared plastic free, the jungle paths to the hill shrine as well as Sannidhanam have been lined with piles of plastic bottles and polythene waste.


All the efforts of the authorities to prevent devotees from littering have come to a nought.


According to a senior official, the agencies that signed a contract with Devaswom Board to distribute drinking water at Sannidanam were bound to dispose of the empty plastic bottles as well. However, none of these agencies had turned up to clear the Sabarimala roads and temple premises.


“We are taking steps to remove the plastic bottles from the waysides and have deputed more people to collect plastic waste from the jungles,” said Devaswom Board executive officer, Sathish Kumar.


Devaswom authorities, however, have made no steps to prevent the devotees from littering the plastic materials except having erected some sign boards against the plastic menace.


Devotees on their way to Sannidhanam were found leaving empty bottles and polythene covers in the jungles and on the wayside as there are not enough bins to collect the waste. There are also no security officials to check the luggages of the devotees and nobody prevented them from throwing the plastic materials in the open space.


“It is sad to see that people are recklessly dumping plastic materials in the Sannidhanam and jungles. The officials must come with a stringent measure to curb this practice that destroys the forest,” said Dheeraj, a devotee from Kannur.

Sabari In Grip Of Infection Fear

Fear of contagious diseases breaking out anytime now has gripped Sabarimala after incessant rains in the last two days ruined efforts to keep the premises of the hill shrine clean.


Filthy water and waste materials from higher areas like Pandithavalam are flowing down on to the temple premises following the rain.


One can see overflowing sewage lines and broken slabs from the Annadana Centre of Akhil Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sanghom and the area is stinking.


The situation near the Aravana counter is no better. Devotees hardly use the newly built Bailey bridge so as to avoid the nauseating stink rising from the drainage canal.


“The rain had affected the sanitation works but we have resumed the cleanliness drive on Monday morning,” said a senior officer of the Devaswom Board.


At Sannidhanam, pilgrims are left at the mercy of rain gods as there are not enough shelters for them following the demolition of viripanthals and makeshift rest rooms.


“We have no place to take rest or keep our things. Last night we slept on the staircase near the post office at Sannidhanam and were forced to have food in the open place which is surrounded by filth and is stinking,'' said Mr Saravanan, a pilgrim from Tamil Nadu.


Excise officer dies of heart attack
Muraleedharan Nair (55), an excise preventive officer from Nedumangad range who was deployed at Sabarimala, died after suffering a heart attack on Monday morning.


He had collapsed during duty at Sannidhanam in the previous night and had been admitted to Sahas Cardilolgy Centre near Sannidhanam.

SABARIMALA YATHRA

PADI POOJA IN SABARIMALA

Ayyappa Harivarasanam latest 2011 Excellent

Young Andhra woman held near holy steps

A 32-year old woman from Andhra Pradesh climbed Sabarimala to reach Sannidhanam on Sunday in an apparent attempt to climb the 18 holy steps which is barred for menstruating women.


The woman, identified as Devi, was arrested by Sannidhanam police while she was taking rest near the aravana counter.


She was in the guise of a man, wearing a black shirt and black pants. However, she told the police that she did not step on the holy steps. She had come to Sabarimala along with her husband Naidu.


Only women below 10 years and above 50 years are allowed to climb Sabarimala. Since the Sannidhanam police station did not have any woman police official, Devi and Naidu were later taken to the Pampa police station.

Melam Kottatum _Swamy Ayyappan HD

Loka Veeram Mahapoojyam Song - Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa Devotional Stotra

Sabarimala Makarajyothi On Jan.15

This season’s ‘Makarajyothi’ will be observed at the Lord Ayyappa temple on January 15, a day later than the usual time of the festival being celebrated every year, even as tight security measures are being made at locations near the hill shrine from where the celestial star can be sighted.


A total of 102 devotees were killed and over 55 injured in a stampede at Pulmedu last year when pilgrims converged in huge numbers began to disperse after the auspicious sighting of the ‘jyothi.’


“We are identifying similar ‘danger’ areas like Parunthenpara and setting up safety measures like erecting steel barricades of sufficient strength. In Pulmedu, barricades will be set up at southern end of the Uppupara hillock demarcating the area up to which pilgrims can go to view “jyothi,” additional chief secretary Mr K. Jayakumar said, adding he would personally visit the tragedy site to oversee safety measures.


The government approved 30 safety suggestions of Justice Hariharan commission inquiring into the tragedy. Accordingly, other than stalls put up by the Eco Development Committee, no shops will be allowed on one side of the route.


Further, sufficient lightings using the ASKA electric light, running on battery power, are being provided in these areas and additional police personnel deployed there.


“We have rolled out draft security manual which is being distributed to various department personnel like police, fire force and forest,” the official said.


Meanwhile, Makara Jyoti festival this season falls on January 15. “Though Samkranti falls on both 14 and 15, but the later day has the minimum six nazhika,” former chief priest Sasi Nampoothiri said.


Makara Jyothi is a celestial star which is worshiped as a part of ritual in Sabarimala Temple in the day of Makara Samkranti (winter solstice). The sight is considered auspicious by Hindus.


Schedule of Thiruvaabharanam (sacred jewels) procession


Jan. 13:
Around 1 pm, the procession starts from Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sree Dharma Sasta Temple after sighting of Sreekishna Parunthu. Covers Aranmula Temple and halts at Airoor Puthiyakavu.


Jan. 14:
Covers Vadasserikara, Perunadu Ayyappa temple and halts at Laha.


Jan. 15:
Proceeds via Plappally, Nilackal, Pampa, and Neelimala before reaching Sannidhanam by evening.

Ayyappa Road A Nightmare

Pilgrims reaching Sabarimala, the Devaswom officials, the police and the workers at Sannidhanam have only one prayer now - 'Let the rain god be calm throughout the season.'


The reason for the prayer is the poor condition of the accident prone Swami Ayyappan Road from Pamba to Sannidhanam.


Goods, including provisions for Sabarimala, are carried by tractors via Swami Ayyappan Road. The road is also being used by the pilgrims who prefer a short cut to the shrine. Though the Devaswom officials had plans to repair the road before the commencement of the season, nothing has been done so far.


"It has become a really dangerous road now. Last year, we witnessed seven mishaps in nine rainy days. A young child was killed too. The season before that also witnessed an accident death. This year, it'll get worse if it rains. We have no clue how to keep ourselves safe," said Dali, a tractor driver.


The pilgrims too prefer Chandranan road to Swami Ayyappan road now, considering the safety.
“We were informed that the Swami Ayyappan road is damaged. Chandranan stretch may be steeper, but it is safer,” said Mr R. Rajashekharan, a pilgrim from Hyderabad.


The Swami Ayyappan road was built in 1985 by film producer Neela Subrahmaniam. Profit from his movie Swami Ayyappan, was used forbuilding the road.

Sabarimala Roads Rurn Treacherous

Sudden heavy rain played havoc at Sabarimala on Saturday with roads to Sabarimala turning treacherous for the pilgrims.


As there are not enough shelter homes at Sannidhanam, thousands of pilgrims were left with no choice but to be at the mercy of weather gods. Areas from Sannidhanam to Pampa received sheets of rain during the rain.


The Swamy Ayyappan road, connecting Pampa to Sannidhanam, turned out to be extremely dangerous, and many pilgrims got injured while climbing down.
The slippery road was also abandoned by the tractor drivers as they found it impossible to manoeuvre.


Later, the pilgrims left the road and took the woods-path to climb down, as they had at least trees to hold. Many pilgrims also took the lengthier Chandranan Road to reach the Sannidhanam.


“It was a journey between life and death. I and my kids slipped many times on the way down. The Devaswom Board will have to spend some money from our offerings and should resurface this road with concrete,” said Mr Santhosh Kumar, a pilgrim, after reaching Pampa.


DC had earlier reported about the pathetic condition of Swamy Ayyappan Road. The rain worsened the conditions as trees were also uprooted on the way.


Sannidhanam was under cloudy sky for the past two days. It had also witnessed drizzle on Friday. However, it rained cat and dogs from 9 am on Saturday for hours.


The overstaying Ayyappas also found it difficult to find a place to sleep in the night.


No respite from power disruption
Following power outage at Onnam Madukku on Swamy Ayyappan Road, which continued for the third consecutive day on Saturday, climbing down from Sabarimala in night has turned out to be a risky adventure.


Police said four unidentified men waylaid a porter on Friday night and robbed him. Power was disrupted when trees fell across power lines here.

NDF members try entering Sabarimala in disguise; Cops free them later

Police allegedly set free members of National Development Front (NDF) who made a bid to enter Sabarimala.


NDF is alleged to have links with Pakistan's ISI and has been under the watch of Union home ministry since 2005. Sources said the NDF members came by a vehicle, disguised as a police car, to Pampa on Monday and it was stopped by security officials.


But it is not immediately known why they came to Pampa, that too disguised as cops, and why the police allowed them to go without a proper investigation. However, the police sources said that the case had been settled at “higher levels,” as the incident can create scare among the pilgrims.


“We have got clear information that the travellers in the car were NDF members," said a police source at Pampa.


However, many police officials are reported to be not happy with the release of the NDF men. Alarmed at the security breach, the police also has beefed up the security at Pampa and Sannidhanam. An under vehicle scanner was also installed at Pampa, following the incident.


The two men, identified as NDF members, were reportedly released bythe Pampa police.


However, the top police officials have denied the report and said that the area is under tight vigil.
The police is also aware of the terrorist threats at Sannidhanam, and has decided to intensify the security measures.


The National Security Guard (NSG) commandos and Rapid Action Force have been deployed at Sannidhanam to ensure safety.

Sabarimala: Emergency road to be opened by CM today

The new emergency service road at Pampa, built by the Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangam, will be thrown open on Saturday by the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy.


Meant for emergency purposes, the road will not be open for general pilgrims. But pilgrims who need hospital care will be taken out through this route.


It will also be used to transport goods and vegetables. The service road is the first project implemented under the new Sabarimala Master Plan. Connecting Triveni Bridge to the police dormitory, the road is 1.25 km long.


“This road will be really useful to transport pilgrims to hospitals in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. During Makaravilakku, the normal road will be jammed, and there is little space to transport goods too. Last year during Makaravilakku, goods for prasadam and annadhanam were stuck at Pampa for days. There won't be any issues this season, as the service road will help the officials,” said Mr Damodaran, the emergency captain of Ayyappa Seva Sangam.


The road costs nearly Rs 1 crore, and is made of concrete. “We haven't used tar to surface the road, as concrete will last longer at places like Pampa. It is built with future developments of Sabarimala in mind,” Mr Damodaran added.


The Ayyappa Seva Sangam took nine months to complete the construction of the road. “It was expected to get completed sooner. But, the monsoon ruined our plans. However, we are happy that we could finish it during this season,” he said.

HC bans toll on Sabari roads

The Kerala High Court on Friday prohibited Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) from collecting toll from vehicles on any of the roads leading to Pampa.


“The concept of toll and the eligibility of a person to collect toll are regulated by laws. There is no notification issued by any competent authority under the Tolls Act authorizing TDB to collect toll,” a division bench comprising Justices Thottathil. B. Radhakrishnan and K.Vinod Chandran said in the order.


Sabarimala special commissioner S. Jagadees in his report had submitted that a total of Rs 2.4 crore was being spent for road maintenance every year. The court asked the Board to hand over the amount to the contractor.


Meanwhile, counsel for TDB pointed out that the court had earlier directed the police to provide adequate police protection for toll collection at Chalakkayam.


To this the court observed that the police protection meant to meet any law and order problem and the prohibition on toll collection would stand.


The bench, however, allowed the Board to collect parking fee from vehicles at Sabarimala.


Recently, a protest rally by Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of BJP, against toll collection at Chalakkayam had turned violent when the agitators numbering around 200 smashed signboards and office.


The Yuva Morcha had alleged that the toll collection amounted to exploitation of pilgrims.

Ayyappa Devoteez Get Irumudi Shock

A group of Ayyappa devotees taking the quick route of flying to Sabarimala was in for a rude shock on Monday, with airport authorities denying them permission to carry irumudi (a specially designed sacred travel kit) as hand luggage.


The two-layered irumudi typically contains coconuts, ghee, honey and jaggery rice and incense sticks.


The team comprising doctors and educationists, which was to take an early morning flight to Kochi for a 170-km onward journey to Sabarimala, had to deposit their irumudis as a registered baggage to make the journey.


Airport officials said recent Bureau of Civil Aviation Security instructions prohibited coconuts inside aircraft. They said miscreants could also use irumudi to smuggle prohibited goods.


“By not allowing it [irumudi] inside the cabin, where passengers can have access to baggage, we make sure safety regulations are followed,” the officials said.


A lot of Ayyappa devotees in the city are nowadays taking flights to shorten the Sabarimala trip.
“We used to take one-week leave to visit Lord Ayyappa. Now, we take only 24 hours for the return journey,” said Dr S. Muthukumar.


Planning journeys well in advance helps the devotees get flight tickets cheap and save expensive van travel. “We have booked this trip to Sabarimala and back for only Rs 5,600,” said Mr V. Santhanam, who runs an education trust.

Vazhinadai Saranam

Vazhinadai is the set of rhyme sung by Ayyappa devotees while trekking to Sabarimala. The first Ayyappa says the first verse (example: Swamiye). All the other Ayyappas respond with (Ayyappo).


Swamiye ----- Ayyappo
Ayyappo ----- Swamiye


Swami Saranam ----- Ayyappaa Saranam
Ayyappaa Saranam ----- Swami Saranam


Devane ----- Deviye
Deviye ----- Devane


Bagavaane ----- Bagavathiye
Bagavathiye ----- Bagavaane


Easwarane ----- Easwariye
Easwariye ----- Easwarane


Sankarane ----- Sankariye
Sankariye ----- Sankarane


swami saranam ----- ayappan saranam
ayappan saranam ----- swami saranam


Devan Saranam ----- Devi Saranam
Devi Saranam ----- Devan Saranam


Eswaran Saranam ----- Eswari Saranam
Eswari Saranam ----- Eswaran Saranam


Bagawan Saranam ----- Bagawati Saranam
Bagawati Saranam ----- Bagawan Saranam


Sankaran Saranam ----- Sankari Saranam
Sankari Saraman ----- Sankaran Saranam


Pallikattu ----- Sabarimalaikku
Sabarimalaikku ----- Pallikattu


Kallum Mullum Kaalukku Methai
Kaalukku Methai Kallum Mullum


Kundum Kuzhiyum ----- Kannukku Velicham
Kannukku Velicham ----- Kundum Kuzhiyum


Irumudikattu ----- Sabarimalaikku
Sabarimalaikku ----- Irumudikattu


Kattum Kattu ----- Sabarimalaikku
Sabarimalaikku ----- Kattum Kattu


Yaarai Kaana ----- Swamiyai Kaana
Swamiyai Kandaal ----- Moksham Kittum
Eppo Kittum ----- Ippo Kittum


Deha Balam Thaa ----- Pada Balam Thaa
Pada Balam Thaa ----- Dega Balam Thaa


Aatma Balam Thaa ----- Mano Balam Thaa
Mano Balam Thaa ----- Aatma Balam Thaa


Aethi Vidappa ----- Thooki Vidappa
Thooki Vidappa ----- Aethi Vidappa
Mano Balam Thaa ----- Aatma Balam Thaa


Ney Abhisekham ----- Swamikke
Swamikke ----- Ney Abhisekham


Karpoora Deepam ----- Swamikke
Swamikke ----- Karpoora Deepam


Paneer Abhisekham ----- Swamikke
Swamikke ----- Paneer Abhisekham


Avalum Malarum ----- Swamikke
Swamikke ----- Avalum Malarum


Swami Paadham ----- Ayyappan Paadham
Ayyappan Paadham ----- Swami Paadham


Devan Paadham ----- Devi Paadham
Devi Paadham ----- Devan Padham


Easwaran Paadham ----- Easwari Paadham
Easwari Padham ----- Easwaran Paadham


Villali Veerane ----- Veera Manikandane
Veera Manikandane ----- Villali Veerane


Bhooloka Naathane ----- Bhoomi Prabhanjane
Bhoomi Prabhanjane ----- Bhooloka Naathane


Sadguru Naatha ----- Ayyappa
Guruvin Guruva ----- Ayyappa
Kaliyuga Varada ----- Ayyappa
Kaanana Vaasa ----- Ayyappa
Kann Kanda Deivame ----- Ayyappa


Swami Thintakka Thom Thom ----- Ayyappa Thintakka Thom Thom
Ayyappa Thintakka Thom Thom ----- Swami Thintakka Thom Thom

Airline separates Ayyappa devotees from Irumudis

CHENNAI: Just as the Sabarimala pilgrim season is gaining momentum, a group of Ayyappa devotees were taken aback at the airport here when they were reportedly not allowed to carry their irumudis (kit with offerings for the deity) on a Kochi flight by the Jet Airways staff.
Santhanam, along with eight others, was all set to depart for his yearly pilgrimage by a flight at 6.55 am on Monday when the incident occurred. “Of the 34 years that I have been making the pilgrimage, the last seven years have been by air. Never before has anything like this happened,” he said. According to him, they proceeded to the check-in counter with their irumudis and were getting their boarding cards when the airline staff allegedly intervened.
“They said that for security reasons our offerings will not be allowed on board as hand baggage,” he told Express from Kerala. Airport sources confirmed that all attempts by the party to persuade the airline to allow them to carry the kits were futile. These kits contain the coconut filled with ghee along with beetel nuts and other consumables meant to be carried by the devotee all the way up till the puja for the deity was performed. Apparently, they were then given the alternative of ferrying the kit as registered parcels on the same flight. “We understand that they have security concerns and so we accepted,” he added Sources in other airlines, however, said none of them have insisted on separating devotees from their ceremonial bags. As there was no metal or plastic, the security risk was non-existent, added an official in civil aviation security. All they insisted on was that the parcel was scanned and checked by security, before boarding. Though he was not overtly troubled, Santhanam agreed that the religious sentiments of others in the group were somewhat offended.

Ayyappa Suprabhatham Full

12 advanced Ambulances start service in Sabarimala

      Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24: Twelve advanced life supporting ambulances with a Pilot and Emergency Medical Technician have started services at different locations within the vicinity of Sabarimala.
      Kerala Medical Service Corporation Limited (KMSCL), in association with Ziqitza Health Care Ltd, has started an exclusive Medical Helpline service for the Sabarimala Pilgrims, official sources said here today.


     The helpline centre would provide support to pilgrims in three languages-- Malayalam, Tamil and English with regard to any Medical Aid.


     The call centre started operations 24x7 from November 17.


     The pilgrims who want to avail the Medical Service Information and Medical AID in addition to access fully equipped Advanced Life Support Ambulance can dial the short code 1298 from any mobile or land line number and the call centre personnel would be available for assistance.


     The call centre would immediately activate the nearest ambulance for any kind of emergency.


    The medical technicians would provide the patients with the first aid and if needed, would carry the patients to the nearest hospital for further treatment.
--UNI

Villali Veerane Veera ManiKantane Ayyappan Video Song

PALLIKATU SABARIMALAIKKU VIDEO SONG

Ellorum sernthu sollungo(Veeramani Ayyappan song)

Stale Food Seized In Sabarimala

The food inspection sqad seized stale and half cooled food for devotees from two hotels functioning at Pandithavalam. The inspection has done based on the complaints of Pilgrims. The first raid was conducted at 7.30 pm on Friday at Shree Shasta hotel, run by a Kollam native. “Primary inspection found the food smelling rotten. It will be sent to the government lab in the capital for detailed inspection. The shop is temporarily shut down,” the official said.
Soon after the first raid, the officials got complaints about the food from another hotel, ‘Sannidhanam’, raided it and issued them a strict warning. “The Annadanam given by the Devaswom Board meets only 10% of the total demand. We are left with no choice other than to eat from the restaurants, which are giving us below-par food, otherwise we have to go hungry for nearly 10 hours. We feel sorry for the children who are starving till they reach Pampa,” one of the pilgrims said.
It is reported that the shortage of low priced and good quality food at Sabarimala has become short, despite of the heavy rush witnessed in Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

Security At Sensitive Spots In Sabarimala

The police have decided to beef up security and arrange proper facilities for pilgrims at 20 vantage points, in the wake of last year’s Pulmedu tragedy which claimed more than hundred lives.


Proper lighting will be provided throughout the trekking path, including the conventional path. The checking of vehicles at Pamba will be made strict as it falls under the high security zone. No vehicle would be exempted from checking, the police said. Measures have been taken to arrange security and other facilities for the pilgrims at 20 vantage points during Makaravilakku.


Any faults in the machinery will be rectified immediately. The police are keeping vigil at the Sannidhanam. We are fully equipped to meet any urgent situation,” said P Vijayan, special officer, Sannidhanam.
The proposal for allowing women and kids to trek through the Swamy Ayyappan road is under consideration. Around 7,000 devotees have registered for online darshan. C Rajagopal, SP, Kottayam, has been appointed special officer at Erumely.


Candid cameras have been installed at the most vulnerable points in the forest and trekking paths. Police patrolling has been intensified in the Sabarimala forest areas. Around 300 National Disaster Response Force and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed for Sabarimala duty to meet any urgency. Officials, including 12 deputy superintendents, 23 circle inspectors and 56 sub-inspectors have been deployed to ensure safety of the hill top shrine. Besides, 600 constables have been deployed at the Sannidhanam. An elaborate crowd management system has been put in place at the Sannidhanam to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims.

Additional Trains To Sabarimala

     Southern Railways have announced additional Sabarimala/ Winter Special trains. Certain trains have also been sanctioned temporary stops at Chengannur and Thiruvalla till January 19, 2012, said an official release here on Wednesday.
      Advance reservation for the additional Sabari/ Winter special trains started on November 22. The trains are: Train no. 06009 Chennai Central-Kollam Weekly Special, 06010 Kollam – Chennai Central Weekly Superfast Special (via. Coimbatore, Kottayam).


     Train no. 06009, Chennai Central-Kollam Weekly Special would leave Chennai Central at 11.30 p m on Wednesdays from 23.11.2011 to 18.1.2012 and arrive at Kollam at 3.30 p m the next day. Train no.06010 Kollam-Chennai Central Weekly Superfast Special would leave Kollam at 9.10 p m on Thursdays from 24.11.2011 to 19.1.2012 and arrive at Chennai Central at 12.40 p m the next day.
Composition: 3 AC 2-tier, 3 AC 3-tier, 12 sleeper class, 2 general second class and 2 luggage-cum-brake van coaches.
Stops: Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrisur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam. T.No.06010 will stop at Perambur also.


       06011 Chennai Central – Kollam Superfast Weekly Special and 06012 Kollam – Chennai Central Weekly Special (via. Coimbatore, Kottayam): Train no. 06011 Chennai Central – Kollam Weekly Superfast Special would leave Chennai Central at 3.15 p m on Fridays from 25.11.2011 to 20.1.2012 and arrive at Kollam at 05.45 p m the next day. Train no. 06012 Kollam – Chennai Central Weekly Special would leave Kollam at 11.30 a m on Saturdays from 26.11.2011 to 21.1.2012 and arrive at Chennai Central at 3.40 a m the next day.
     Composition: 2 AC 2-tier, 1 AC 3-tier, 10 sleeper Class, 7 General Second Class and 2 Luggage-cum-brake van coaches.
     Stops: Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrisur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam. T.No.06012 will stop at Perambur also.

SANNADHIL KATTUM KATTI BY SRI HARI

General Informations

GENERAL INFORMATIONS

• Vehicles operated by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, Travancore Devaswom Board and Private parties are available to Pamba.
• 
  
•  Dolly service is available from Pamba to Sannidhanam for those who are unable to walk the heights.
• 
  
• There are Cardiology centres at Appachimedu (Phone No. 04735-202050 ) and Neelimala (Phone No. 04735-203384 ).
• 
  
• Stretcher service is available at Appachimedu (Phone No. 04735-203350 ).
• 
  
• Cigeratte and Beedi smoking, Alcholic drinks and plastic goods are prohibited at Pamba and Sabarimala.
• 
  
• As Sabarimala Ayyappa is 'Nithya Brahmachari' (celibate)women between the 10-50 age group are not allowed to enter Sabarimala. Such women who try to enter Sabarimala will be prevented by authorities.
• 
  
• Only pilgrims who have obsered Vrutham alone are allowed entry through the holly Pathinettampadi. They have to carry Irumudikettu (Pallikettu)also.
• 
  
• Placing Viri and halting in the upper Thirumuttam is not allowed during festival seasons.
• 
  
• Queue system have to be followed for Darsan, Abhishekam and at the Prasadam counters.
• 
  
• Purchase tickets for Vazhipadus from the respective ticket counters.

Food Rates In Sabarimala

Food Rates

Food Price at Sannidhanam,Pamba and Near by Hillstations
Item	Sannidhanam (In Rs.)	Price Pampa/Nilaikkal (In Rs.)	Laha (In Rs.)	Vadasserikkara/ Thulappalli/ Aangamoozhi (In Rs.)
Tea(150ml)	6.00	5.50	5.00	5.00
Coffee (150ml)	6.00	5.50	5.00	5.00
Instant Coffee(150ml)	9.00	8.00	7.00	4.50
Horlicks (200ml)	10.50	10.00	9.50	9.50
Bournvita (200ml)	10.50	10.00	9.50	9.50
Black Tea/ Black Coffee	4.50	4.00	4.00	3.00
Dosa(1) 50g	4.50	4.00	3.50	3.00
Idili(1) 50g	4.50	4.00	3.50	3.00
Ghee Roast(125g)	17.00	15.00	13.00	12.00
Masala Dosa(175g)	17.00	15.00	13.50	12.50
Chappathi (3) 150g	18.00	17.00	13.00	13.00
Poori (3) 150g	17.00	15.00	12.00	12.00
Uzhunnu Vadai 40g	5.00	4.50	4.00	4.00
Parippu Vadai 40g	5.00	4.50	4.00	4.00
Meals (Raw Rice)	28.00	25.00	22.00	22.00
Meals (Boiled Rice)	28.00	25.00	22.00	22.00
Kanji	20.00	15.00	15.00	15.00
Tapioca (Boiled)	12.00	10.00	10.00	10.00
Veg. Biriyani	28.00	25.00	22.00	22.00
Curd Sadom	28.00	25.00	22.00	22.00
Lemon Sadaom	28.00	25.00	22.00	22.00
Pongal	16.50	15.50	13.00	11.00
Banana fry	6.50	5.50	4.50	4.00
Bondai	4.50	4.00	4.00	4.00

Donations

         The Travancore Devaswom Board requests all Ayyappa devotees, other individuals, firms, organisations etc. to make donations to Sabarimala only through the offices cited below.


Donations may be send in the form of Cheque / Draft in favour of
The Secretary,
Travancore Devaswom Board,
Nanthancode.P.O
Thiruvananthapuram 695 003
Kerala, India
Phone : 0471 - 2315009


Donations in kind (rice, dhal, edible oil etc.) may be supplied in bulk at Sabarimala - Pampa at the following address :


The Executive Officer
Sabarimala Devaswom
Travancore Devaswom Board
Sabarimala - Pampa P O
Pathanamthitta District Kerala India
Phone 04735- 202026 , 202028


Donating Rooms:
        Presently the Travancore Devaswom Board has two projects under the Donor Scheme. Pilgrims can get rooms in Donor House No.VI and VII on remittance of Rs.2,50,000/- per room.
        The main attraction under the scheme is that the Donor is eligible to get free accommodation for 5 days in a calendar year distributed over three occasions, i.e., 2 days during Mandala Pooja season, 2 days in Makaravilakku season and 1 day during Vishu Festival.
For further details, please contact
      The Chief Engineer (General), Travancore Devaswom Board, Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 003, Phone 0471-2315873 .


Annadanam:
        Annadanam (giving free meals) is done at Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala Temple is known as 'Annadana Prabhu' and hence free distribution of food to devotees is considered Ayyappa Seva.
          The Travancore Devaswom Board took up the noble venture of Annadanam Service Scheme at Sabarimala Sannidhanam from the Mandala Pooja - Makaravilakku Festival season in 2002 - 03 onwards, for the benefit of the Ayyappa devotees. Devotees can liberally contribute in cash and in kind to this scheme.
Note: 
      The Travancore Devaswom Board(TDB) has not entrusted any individual or any private organisation to collect donations or to send vazhipadu prasadam on behalf of the Board or Sabarimala devaswom.

Accomodation Details In Sabarimala

ACCOMODATION

ACCOMODATION AT SANNIDHANAM AND PAMBA:


      The multistoried pilgrim complex is located adjacent to Nadapanthal. There are a few pilgrim shed on the northern side of Pandythavalam and beyond Pandythavalam. Beyond this area a series of public latrines are provided. There is a Government hospital and Ayurvedic Hospital functioning during festival seasons on the south eastern side near the Nadapanthal. Near Malikappuram temple complex there is a dispensary run by NSS. Near the Donor Complex there is a telephone exchange and public hall office with STD facilities.

Guest House	Rate/Room (in Rs.)	Phone
PALAZHI (DH I)	350	04735-202049
SOPANAM (DH II)	350	04735-202049
MANIKANTAN (DH III)	325	04735-202049
CHINMUDRA (DH IV)	325	04735-202049
SIVASAKTHI (DH V)	525  - 975	04735-202049
TEJASWINI (DH VI)	525	04735-202049
SREEMATHA (DH VII)	525	04735-202049
PRANAVAM (PC I)	325	04735-202049
SAHYADRI (PC II)	325	04735-202049
KAILAS (PC III)	200	04735-202049
GKD Hall	900	04735-202049
Poorna, Pushkala Hall	1275	04735-202049
Sabari Guest House 2 bed 3 bed 4 bed	1000   1500   2000	04735-202056
Forest IB Sabarimala	200/ bed + 50 / each additional	04735-202074 / 75
Forest Dormitory	80 / bed	04735-202074 / 75