The secular aspect of the temple is best exemplified by the existence of the "Vavar Nada" in honour of a Muslim saint at the close proximity to the main temple (Ayyappa Swami Temple) at Sabarimala by the side of Holy Pathinettampady. The pilgrims worship in this place also. The pilgrims on their sojourn to Sabarimala worship at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and conduct "Petta Thullal". They also worship in the mosque at Erumeli as a part of their pilgrimage. Ayyappa cult gives much importance for the secularism and communal harmony and has turn out to be a model for the whole world. Another significant aspect of the pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims whether rich or poor, learned or illiterate holding position or not master or servant are all equal before LORD AYYAPPA and all address each other as AYYAPPA.

The pilgrimages to Sabarimala begin in November and last up to January. This is when the temple is inundated with devotees from all across India, and everything- from accommodation to flowers and coconuts- is at a premium.

Throughout the year, monthly poojas are held at the temple, usually within the first week of each month. The shrine, therefore, is open only for the first five days of every month and for the pilgrimage season, between mid-November and mid-January.

Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthpuram, is the most convenient base from which to get to Sabarimala. The airports closest to Sabarimala are at Thiruvananthpuram (149 km from Erumeli) and Ernakulam /Cochin ( 78 km). Both have frequent connections to other major airports in India.

The nearest train stations are Chengannur (62 km from Erumeli), Thiruvalla and Changanasseri. From Thiruvananthpuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam or any of the other railheads, you can get a bus to Chalakayam, Vandiperiyar or Erumeli - the three starting points for the trek up to Sabarimala.

The Chalakayam is the easiest and the shortest route- it’s just 8 km from here to Sabarimala.

The Vandiperiyar route starts along the Kottayam Kumili road, about 13kms short of Sabarimala.

Erumeli is the most popular route, and it is believed that the god himself followed this path to the summit of the hill. It’s also the most arduous, as it’s all of 61 km long- and winds through forested hills. All along the Erumeli Route are shrines, at Kalaketti, Inchipparakota, Karimala and Pampa. The Pampa river is considered as sacred as the Ganga, and devotees believe that a dip in the river can wash away the sins of a lifetime.

From Pampa, the 6 km trek up to the Sabarimala shrine culminates in the `18 steps’- the Patinettampadi- a flight of steps which lead up to the shrine, where pilgrims are rewarded with a darshan of the deity.

All along the route to Sabarimala are a range of accommodation facilities, both operated by the Travancore Devaswom Board as well as state-run. The PWD, the Forest Department, the Water Authority and a few other government departments have guesthouses, but nearly all are off-limits to anybody who doesn’t qualify as a `VIP’. Most pilgrims end up staying at the guesthouses of the Travancore Devaswom Board, at Pampa and Sannidhanam. Room tariffs are between Rs 100 to 600 per night; accommodation can be booked by writing to the Devaswom Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board, Nathankode, Thiruvananthpuram, Kerala. It’s essential to book rooms in advance, especially at the time of the annual pilgrimage.

Further information and assistance can be obtained from the Pilgrim Centre (Tel: 91-473-5592042), the Devaswom Manager (Tel:91-473-5592038 or 91-473-5593442 ) or the Devaswom Commissioner (Tel: 91-473-5592004). The Ayyappa Seva Sangam (Tel: 91-473-5592043 at Sabarimala and 91-473-5593409 at Pampa) can also provide information.