Sabarimala Makaravilakku Maholsavam

Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Kshethram, situated in the green exotic forest on the slopes of Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta district, attracts milions of pilgrims every year from all over India. Two important camps at Sabarimala are one at Pamba and the other at Sannidhanam (the temple premise). The main season for pilgrimage starts from 2nd week of Nov. to the end of Makaravilakku Maholsavam. Makaravilakku is celebrated on 14th Jan. Womens between the age 10 - 50 are not allowed after pamba. Pilgrims who have erumudikkettu (a parcel of holy items to be carried on head) are only allowed entry through Pathinettam Padi (18 holy steps).

Erumeli - Petta Kettu

Petta Kettu by the team from Ambalappuzha is most prestigious and is held on 11th Jan.05. The unique features of Ambalapuzha Petta Kettu is that is starts only after seeing an Eagle, encircling in the sky at Kochambalam. Over 500 devotees participate in this procession.Pettakettu is a ritualistic procession observed by Sabarimala pilgrims on the way to Sabarimala at Erumeli in Kotayyam district. Pilgrims usually in black clothes, coloured facial makeup carrying symbolic weapons accompained by drumbeats, move in groups from Kochambalam (the small temple of Lord Ayyappan) to Vavar mosque and ends at Valiyambalam (the main temple). This is conducted by almost all pilgrim groups going via Erumeli and can be seen during the main season of Sabarimala pilgrimage (15th Nov.' 04 to 26th Dec.' 04 and 1st to 20th Jan.' 05).Erumeli is a small village situated 56km from Kottayam.

Sabarimala thiruvabharana ghoshayathra

It is a holy procession carrying the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyapan, which starts from Valiyakoyikkal Dharmasastha Kshethram at Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district. The procession by walk reaches Sabarimala on Makaravilakku day (14th Jan) so as to adorn the ornaments on the idol of Lord Ayyappan. The representative of Pandalam Raja also accompany the procession. The wooden box in which the glod ornaments kept is pyramid shaped. There are two more boxes of square shaped. One with Pooja articles and vessels and the other contains the flags of the tribal Gods who protect the mountain ranges. All these are used keep at Srambikkal Palace, near the Valiyakoyikkal Kshethram.

Opening days
12 - 17 Feb 05	Pooja in the Malayalam month Umbham
14 - 19 March 05	Pooja in the Malayalam month Meenam.
24 - 25 March 05	Painkuni uthram
10 - 18 Apirl 05	Pooja in the Malayalam month Medam and for Vishu celebrations on 14th Apr.
14 - 20 May 05	Pooja in the month of Malayalam Edavam. Lastday is celebrated as Prathishta Dinam, the day of establishmant of the deity

Ettumanoor ulsavam

Kodiyettu on the first day - Aarattu on the last day; Other temple arts and cultural programmes are staged. 17th Ezharaponnana Ezhunnallathu. Ezhara means seven and half and Ponnana the golden elephant. Each of the seven elephants is two feet high and the eight one is of one foot only. Hence they are together called seven and half elephants. Statues of these elephants were offered to the temple by the then ruler of Travancore, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The Ezhara Ponnana procession is held on the eight hand tenth day of the festival. Ettumanur is 12km north of Kottayam town.

Pakkil Sree Dharmasastha Kshethram - Ulsavam

Kodiyettu, Temple arts, Cultural programmes are conducted. Aarattu is on the last day. After Sabarimala, this is the only temple having the Goddess Malikapurathamma as subsidiary deity. The temple is situated 1.5km from Pallam Jn. on Kottayam.