Sabarimala
Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Ayyappa, and the temple was established in the 12th century. According to the tradition, Ponnambalamedu is the ancient Moolasthanam of Sabarimala, where Lord Ayyappa took His final residence in a cave. The present Sabarimala Temple remains spiritually connected with this ancient sacred site.
Lord Ayyappa is revered in the Bala Yogi form, with His age at the time of His final residence traditionally associated with 14–16 years. This youthful ascetic form is an important aspect of the Ayyappa tradition and represents His spiritual state as a divine Bala Yogi.
Bhagwan Ayyappa is known by various names, including Arayan, Manikandan, Mani, and Aiappan.
On Makara Sankranti, the sacred Thiruvabharanam is adorned on Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala as a representation of the ancient temple and sacred presence at Ponnambalamedu. Therefore, immediately after the sanctum sanctorum at Sabarimala is opened following the Thiruvabharanam adornment, Deeparadhana is conducted at Ponnambalamedu, symbolically connecting the present shrine with its ancient Moolasthanam.
Ponnambalamedu also has the Lakshmi-Narayana Chakra bearing the Malayalam "Om" Bijakshara, reflecting its ancient Vaishnavite association. The 2018 Devaprasnam further revealed that a Vaishnavite shrine existed at Ponnambalamedu in ancient times.
The Ayyappa tradition is rooted in the Guru–Shishya Parampara, with Bhagwan Ayyappa revered as Parabrahman—the Supreme Reality beyond Shaiva and Vaishnava distinctions.
Lalitha Tripura Sundari manifested as Malikappurathamma (Lalithambika) in the Cheerappanchira family. She represents the Motherly (Universal Mother) concept in Sabarimala.
She is also revered in the Bala Swarupa of Lalithambika, as she too took her final residence at a young age.
She is Considered as “Sri Chakra Raja Simhasaneshwari.”
Some evil forces falsely claimed a love bond between Malikappurathamma and Ayyappa, but this is utterly false and baseless.
Sree Kochu Kadutha Swamy was a warrior who played a key role in defeating Marvar Army backed By Chola.
According to the Malamel family, the traditional custodians of Kochu Kadutha, their long-standing ritual practices continued until 1973, when a dispute arose with officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) regarding ritual rights. During this period, the family states that certain officials took the golden idol of Kochu Kadutha from their custody, assuring them that it would be kept safely in a strongroom. Later, when the family sought confirmation, they were reportedly informed that the idol was not found in the strongroom.
The annual festival is conducted every year in March–April, beginning with the Dwajarohanam and continuing with the Sabarimala Ulsavam (Vārṣikōtsavam or Thiru Ulsavam).
