Nearby Towns

(Where one could establish a base camp, rest and then proceed to Sabarimala)

Pampa is the closest `base camp'. But it tends to get overcrowded (during prime seasons) and has inherent shortage of built up living accommodation. The other nearby towns are:-
Changanacherry

Chengannur

Erumeli

Kochi

Kottayam

Mavelikara

Pathanamthitta

Ranni

Vaikom

Nearest Railheads

A large number of trains operate along Kochi - Alapuzha - Kollam route and Kochi - Kottayam - Kollam - Thiruvananthapuram route. These trains pass through or close to most of the towns mentioned above and one could disembark at any of these railway stations. During pilgrimage seasons, ABASS camps are established at most of these railway stations. Please approach them for guidance on further travel.

Means of Conveyance

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operates regular bus services, from all important towns of Kerala  to Pampa and Erumeli throughout the year. The number of trips are well augmented during the pilgrim season. Private taxis, utility vehicles and mini buses are also available for hire from any point en-route.

Routes to Travel

From Erumeli, the pilgrim can, if he so wishes , trek on foot along the forests to reach Pampa. The trekking distance from Erumeli to Pampa is 43 Kms. The route is via Peroorthodu, Irumbunnikara, Arasumudikotta, Kaalaketti, Azhutha, Azhutha River, Kallidum Kunnu, Inchipara, Mukkuzhi, Kariyilam Thodu, Karimala, Valiyana Thavalam, Cheriyana Thavalam, Pampa.                              

The route from Pampa to Sabarimala (approx 6 kms) can be undertaken only on foot. as this portion of the route is unfit for vehicular traffic. The various road routes available to Pampa are:-

Erumeli - Karimkulumoozhi - Ranni - Perinad - Vadaserikara - Plapalli- Chalakayam - Pampa.

Erumeli - Karimkulumoozhi - Muktuthara - Kanamala - Thulapalli - Plapalli - Chalakayam - Pampa (This route is not commonly used by pilgrims because it is narrow and winding)

Another route sometimes followed by pilgrims coming from Tamilnadu is via Kottayam - Kumali (KK) road. When they reach Vanchiperiyar on the KK Road, they turn to Uppupara. After reaching Uppupara, they have to walk 6 Kms to Sabarimala.

Approximate Road Distances

From To Via Kms

Erumeli -Kottayam 56

Erumeli - Kumuli 70

Erumeli -Pampa * Ranni - Vadaseriakra 119

Erumeli -Pampa *Kanamala 56

Erumeli -Pampa *Athikayam - Perinad 64

Erumeli -Pampa *Chethonkara - Athikayam 69

Erumeli -Thiruvananthapuram  146

Pampa -Chengannur *via Aranmula 93

Pampa -Kochi *Manimala - Kottayam 200

Pampa -Kottayam *Ranni Blockpadi - Kozhencherry 119

Pampa -Kottayam *Manimala - Kodungur 105

Pampa -Kottayam *Athikayam - Manimala 103

Pampa -Kumuli *Erumeli -Vandiperiyar 180

Pampa -Pandalam *Vadaserikara - Pathanamthitta 84

Pampa -Punalur 105

Pampa -Shenkottah *Pathanamthitta - Punalur 170

Pampa -Thiruvananthapuram * Pathanamthitta - Adoor 175

Sabarimala -Kochi 210

Sabarimala -Kottarakara 111

Sabarimala -Kottayam 134

Sabarimala -Kozhikode 415

Thiruvananthapuram -Kochi 222

Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam 160

Thiruvananthapuram -Pathanamthitta 168

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa