pampa

[Guest guest]

Pamba is the most important and holy spot on the way to Sannidhanam. It is here Lord Ayyappa was found by King Rajasekara.ThePampa river is as holy as the ganges. The Pampa water purifies one from curse and evil. Pamba: Where the devotees take their holy bath at the confluence of the three rivers(Triveni ). This is created by the Lord as parallel to the Ganga ( "Dakshina Ganga" ). All pilgrim should take a dip in the Pamba river before and after trekking the holy

sabarimala. The pilgrims should also perform "Pitru tarpanam" (offering to ones departed souls) at Pamba before the trekking . Triveni Sarasthadom is about 6 kms. Road transport facilities are available only up to Pampa (Triveni) on the southern bank of Pampa river. There are two bridges across the river at Triveni, one is pucca concrete footbridge and the other is a motorable bridge. Traffic through the latter bridge is not permitted during festival seasons. On the upper side of the north bank of the river shrines of Sree Mahaganapathy. Sree Rama, Sree Anjaneya and goddess Parvathy are situated. There is a big Nadapandal adjacent to the shrines where the pilgrims take rest after worshipping these shrines. From Pampa temple premises, foot of the Neelimala hills is at a distance of about 200 meters to the western direction of the temple. Neelimala is a very steep hill. There are two routes from here to climb Neelimala. One is the old conventional route of climbing the hills through the straight and very steep path via Appachi medu, Sabaripeedom and the other is a pathway through the slopes of Neelimala with lesser gradient but about one more kilometer in length known as Swamy Ayyappan Road constructed by Sri Subramaniam Trust. Both these Roads meet at Mara Koottam (beyond Sabaripeedom in the first route). There after the road again bifurcates one through SARAMKUTHY and the other through the lower slopes of Saramkuthy hills and meets again near the NADA PANDAL at SABARIMALA. During peak season the pilgrims are allowed to proceed to Sabarimala temple through Saramkuthy road and return through the lower road. For

avoiding stampede due to heavy rush & also to facilitate smooth passing of pilgrims recently a subway has been constructed. Pampa Feast : Pampa Annadhanam (feast) and Pampa Vilakku are important rituals followed at the Pampa bank. Pilgrim groups prepare feast with the provisions taken from the Irumudi of the pilgrims.Thousand of pilgrims are fed at Pampa. When a group of pilgrims are ready to feed the fellow pilgrims they display a large papad outside their cottage. It is usually the kanniswamy who are fed first, as they are considered to be Lord Ayyappan himself. After the feast the Guru is honoured by way of prostration and offering of Gurudakshina by the pilgrims. Kanni Ayyappas move from kitchen to kitchen collecting the ashes which are considered to be very sacred. It is done with the belief that Lord Ayyappa would have had the feast in one of the cottages in the disguise of a pilgrim.The ash is considerded as prasadam. Pampa Vilakku : On sunset pilgrims believe that Lord Ayyappan will be present at the banks of Pampa and the cottages are decorated with lights and candles. Small floats are decorated with lights called Pampa Vilakku are sailed in the Pampa river. At Pampa also there are a few pilgrim sheds. There are three

Hospitals (one Allopathy, one Ayurveda and one Homeopathy) functioning during the festival period. At Appachi Medu also one First Aid Centre functions during the peak days of festival period. One information Centre is working at Pampa Anjanayar Auditorium.There are number of information Centres at pumba for the help of Pilgrims. Pamba sadya and Pamba vilakku are famous among the pilgrims during Makara Jyothi season. WITH WARM REGARDS MANO RAJ

Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games.