Photo 1 / 3Main temple entrance arch. Photo: Ambannan007, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
About the Temple
Erumeli, in Kottayam district, is the gateway to the traditional forest route to Sabarimala. It has two Sastha temples about 0.5 km apart, the Petta Sastha temple or Kochambalam and the larger Valiyambalam, which the Travancore Devaswom Board administers. Through the month of Dhanu pilgrims dance the Petta Thullal from the Kochambalam past the Vavar mosque to the Valiyambalam, a custom that recalls Ayyappa's victory over Mahishi and his friendship with Vavar.
Why visit
- Join or watch the Petta Thullal, the pilgrims' ritual dance in Dhanu.
- Start the traditional forest walk to Sabarimala where the custom begins.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 4:30 AM – 11:00 AM
- Evening
- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Reported by oneindia.com, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
These hours come from a temple directory, not from the Travancore Devaswom Board. They may not apply to both temples, and hours in the pilgrim season may differ. Confirm locally. Petta Thullal runs through Dhanu (mid-December to mid-January), with the Ambalappuzha and Alangad groups on 27 Dhanu, usually a few days before Makaravilakku. The ten-day annual festival falls in Kumbham (February).
Before You Go
- Time to allow
45 minutes to 1.5 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Pilgrims on the way to Sabarimala wear black or blue and carry the Irumudi. Dancers in the Petta Thullal smear sandal paste and ash. A dress rule for other visitors was not confirmed; ask at the entrance.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
A current rule on phones inside the temples was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
Step counts, ramps and wheelchair routes were not confirmed. Kerala Tourism puts the Vavar mosque, between the two temples, about 300 m from the KSRTC bus stop and 40 m from Erumeli town junction.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- Petta Thullal
Pilgrims smear sandal paste and ash, wear leaf crowns, hold arrows and carry vegetables on a stick as they dance. The procession starts at the Kochambalam, pays respects at Vavar's mosque and moves on to the Valiyambalam.
- Vavar mosque (Vavar Nada)
Pilgrims on the traditional route pray at the mosque of Vavar, remembered as Ayyappa's companion, before climbing to Sabarimala. It is a mosque, not a temple, and its Chandanakudam festival opens the Petta Thullal season.
- Two Sastha temples
The Valiyambalam, the larger temple in the town centre, is about 0.5 km from the Kochambalam. The Travancore Devaswom Board provides pilgrims with lodging, food and water here.
- Start of the forest route
The traditional path runs from Erumeli to Pamba and then to the Sannidhanam, about 61 km in all, crossing Karimala. Forest Department passes are needed beyond Irumboonikkara, and pilgrims may not cross the Azhutha stretch after dark.
Sources: keralatourism.org, keralatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org, keralatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
- By air: Cochin International Airport (COK) · about 119 km
- By train: Tiruvalla (TRVL) · about 40 km
- By road: Erumeli lies about 60 km north-east of Kottayam town, per Kerala Tourism; a routing estimate gives 48 km from Kottayam station and 41.5 km from Tiruvalla station. The KSRTC bus stop is about 300 m from the Vavar mosque. From Erumeli the road runs on to the Nilakkal base camp (about 29 km by routing estimate), where pilgrims change to KSRTC buses for Pamba.
Sources: keralatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Vavar mosqueThe mosque of Vavar that pilgrims visit as part of the Erumeli custom; not a temple.0.5 km away
- Petta Sastha temple (Kochambalam)The smaller Sastha temple where the Petta Thullal begins.0.5 km away
- Nilakkal base campThe Sabarimala base camp and parking ground, with KSRTC buses on to Pamba.29 km by road
- Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha TempleThe hill shrine of Ayyappa, the goal of the pilgrimage.27 km away
Sources: keralatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org, router.project-osrm.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
What are the Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple timings?
4:30 AM – 11:00 AM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Reported by oneindia.com, checked 23 Oct 2026. Petta Thullal runs through Dhanu (mid-December to mid-January), with the Ambalappuzha and Alangad groups on 27 Dhanu, usually a few days before Makaravilakku. The ten-day annual festival falls in Kumbham (February).
Is there a dress code at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple?
Pilgrims on the way to Sabarimala wear black or blue and carry the Irumudi. Dancers in the Petta Thullal smear sandal paste and ash. A dress rule for other visitors was not confirmed; ask at the entrance.
Can I take my phone inside Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha Temple?
A current rule on phones inside the temples was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
What is the Erumeli Petta Thullal?
A ritual dance by Sabarimala pilgrims, who smear sandal paste and ash, carry arrows and dance from the Kochambalam to the Valiyambalam. It recalls Ayyappa's victory over Mahishi; the main day is 27 Dhanu.
Why do Sabarimala pilgrims visit the Vavar mosque at Erumeli?
Vavar is remembered as Ayyappa's companion, and pilgrims on the traditional route pay respects at his mosque before entering the forest. By custom the Ambalappuzha group enters the mosque and the Alangad group does not. The mosque is not a temple.
How far is Erumeli from Sabarimala?
Kerala Tourism describes the traditional route from Erumeli to Pamba and on to the shrine as about 61 km on foot over Karimala. By road, a routing estimate puts the Nilakkal base camp about 29 km from Erumeli.
What are the two temples at Erumeli?
The Petta Sastha temple, or Kochambalam, beside the Vavar mosque, and the Valiyambalam about 0.5 km away. Both are temples of Ayyappa; the Valiyambalam is a Travancore Devaswom Board temple.