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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.
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