Valiyakoikkal Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Chengannur railway station is the nearest rail station for reaching Pandalam. It is also named as the nearest station for Sabarimala.

Why devotees come here

Valiyakoikkal Temple stands at Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. It is the family temple of the Pandalam Royal Family, and its main deity is Ayyappan. The temple lies inside the Pandalam Palace premises, and every year the Thiruvabharanam procession to Sabarimala starts from here before Makaravilakku.

Valiyakoikkal Temple is the family temple of the Pandalam Royal Family. The Travancore Devaswom Board governs it, and it stands inside the Pandalam Palace premises. Its administration appears on the board's public notices as the Pandalam Valiya Koyikkal Devaswom. Legend holds that the Thiruvabharanam, the sacred ornaments, is made on the Pandalam King's orders. He had adopted Ayyappan as his child.

The temple is recorded as created by Raja Rajasekhara. It is built in the traditional Kerala style and sits at about 35.96 metres above mean sea level. The temple is located in Pandalam, in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.

Every year before Makaravilakku, the Thiruvabharanam procession sets out from this temple towards Sabarimala shrine. Millions of devotees visit the temple during the Makaravilakku festive season. The ornaments are kept at Srambickal Palace, close to the temple.

Festivals

• Makaravilakku festive seasonMakaravilakku

  The festive season draws devotees to the temple every year, in the millions.

• Every year before MakaravilakkuThiruvabharanam procession

  The procession towards Sabarimala shrine starts from this temple every year.

Tips for your visit

• Srambickal Palace, where the Thiruvabharanam is kept, is close to the temple.
• Millions of devotees visit the temple every year during the Makaravilakku festive season.

Questions people ask