A great time at Periya Pathai to Sabarimala

We started our journey from Tirupur to Kottayam at 10:30 PM on 25th November. After reaching Kottayam, we freshened up and took a bus to Erumeli. Once we arrived, we explored the town for a while before beginning the Periya Pathai trek.

Our first stop on the trail was the Koyikkakavu Forest Check Post. Up to this point, the pathway is mostly urban with temples along the route and well-laid roads. This is where the true forest trek begins. The distance from Pamba to this point is 6.5 km, and from here to Pamba it stretches to 25 km.

The forest trekking experience is truly exceptional—surrounded by lush greenery, streams, waterfalls, the sounds of birds and insects, and fellow pilgrims along the way. Since mobile network coverage is almost nonexistent, it creates a great opportunity for genuine conversations and bonding within the group.

Our next halt was the Kalaketty Sree Sivaparvathy Temple, a beautiful and simple structure reflecting Kerala’s traditional architecture. It was an ideal place to rest.

We then headed towards the Azhutha River. After enjoying the scenic view and refreshing ourselves, we began the steep ascent. Until this point, the gradient is mild, but the climb from Azhutha to Kallidamkunnu is notably steep.

From Kallidamkunnu to Pudussery, the trail becomes gentler with minor inclines. Since the Pudussery check post closes at 3 PM, we stayed overnight there. The center offers only basic accommodation, so I had carried a jerkin and blanket to ensure a comfortable rest. The check post reopens at 7 AM the next morning.

The following morning, we resumed our trek from Pudussery towards Karimala, crossing four hills in about an hour. This stretch is known for leeches, so we applied a mixture of salt and raw camphor blended with coconut oil on our legs and feet. It worked well in preventing leech bites. Though a couple of people did get bitten, they removed the leeches quickly. Carrying additional salt helps, as it neutralizes leeches instantly. Some trekkers also use neem oil as an alternative.

The ascent towards Karimala is quite steep. After reaching the top, we paused to refresh ourselves with snacks and juice before moving ahead.

From Karimala, we descended towards Valayanvattam and Cheriyanavattam. While ascending is easier with enough energy, descending takes more time due to the need for caution and grip. After Cheriyanavattam, we finally reached the Pamba river.

From Pamba, we began the final climb towards Sannidanam. The route covers two steep hills—Neelimala and Apachimala—over a 3 km ascent. We saw 2 snakes while travelling. Beyond these sections, the path evens out. I experienced leg pain after trekking about 4 km from Pamba, but eventually managed to reach Sannidanam and took some rest. After a fulfilling Ayyappan Darisanam and receiving the Aravana Payasam, we started our return journey.

Overall, it was an excellent trekking experience.