Traditional Route

The traditional forest path stretching 51 km from Erumeli to Pampa is of much significance. A number of holy places fall along this route enhances its importance further. The holy places along this route include Peroor Thodu, Irumboonnikkara, Arasumudikotta, Kalaketti, Azhutanadi, Kallidamkunnu, Inchipparakotta, Mukkuzhi, Kariyilam Thodu, Karimala, Valiyanavattom and Cheriyanavattom. From Erumeli to Kalaketti the total distance stands at 11 km and from here to Azhutha is two and half kilometers and from Azhuta to Pampa its 37 km. From Peroor Thodu to Irumboonnikkara the distance is of 3 km and from here to Arasumudikotta also stretches to 3 km. Kalaketti is at a distance of 5 km from Arasumudikotta.

Erumeli is one of the holy places close to Sabarimala where the pilgrims reach first on their way to Sannidanam. Here one can find a Sastha temple built by Rajasekhara Pandian, the erstwhile king of Pandalam. Within a short distance from this temple lies the mosque of Vavar, a close confident of Lord Ayyappan. The pilgrims who begin their journey from Erumeli by foot reach Peroor Thodu and proceed further after taking rest here. And further, the pilgrims negotiate places such as Irumboonnikkara, Arasumudi to reach Kalaketti. There is a temple at Kalaketti and the pilgrims offer prayers at this shrine and move towards the banks of Azhuthanadi and take rest there. The following day they take a bath at Azhuthanadi to proceed towards Kallidamkunnu. As they go towards Kallidamkunnu the pilgrims carry with them a small stone from Azhuthanadi onlyto be dropped at Kallidamkunnu. Further the pilgrim go ahead to reach Mukkuzhi and take rest for the day only leave for the foothills of Karimala after crossing Kariyilam Thodu. The place attains its name from the soil of the place which is black in colour. And it’s from Karimala that the pilgrims begin the most strenuous journey of their pilgrimage and reach the banks of River Pampa after passing through places like Cheriyanavattom and Periyanavattom.