Pampa Ganapati Temple is Ganesha located in Pampa, Sabarimala, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. Pampa Ganapathi Temple at Pampa, 60 km from Pathanamthitta town and 8 km from Sabarimala. It is the first temple and shrine on the way from Pamba to Sannidanam. Prayers are offered here for a safe journey to Sannidanam. The main offering of the Pampa Ganapathi Temple is coconuts. Devotees break a coconut here before climbing the mountain. Devotees visiting Ayyappa Temple are required to carry an extra coconut to break at this shrine.
Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi are the other holy places. The temple also has subsidiary shrines dedicated to Nagarajavu (Serpent deity), Goddess Parvati Devi, Adimoola Ganapati, Hanuman, and Sri Ram.
The river bank or arat Kadavu in front of the Ganapathi Temple at Pampa is the spot where the utsava murti of Ayyappa from Sannidanam is taken for ceremonial purification at the end of the 10-day Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple festival (March – April).
On the same day after the purification ritual, the utsava murti or procession idol of Lord Ayyappa is taken to the namaskara mandapam of the Pampa Ganapathi Temple to enable devotees to offer nirapara.
The main Prasadam at the temple is Modakam – sweet ball – Modakam can be purchased from the counter near the Ganapathy temple at Pamp.
Sabarimala pilgrims from different route meet at Pampa and then proceed to Sannidhanam. During early days of the pilgrimage, pilgrims faced many difficulties at Pampa. On performing “Prasna chinda”, the presence of Ganapathi was found and a temple was consecrated. Based on “Jyothisha prediction, the deity of old Ganapathi was consecrated as “Adi Ganapathi” as lord of Sidhi and Budhi.
Pampa Ganesh Temple Timings:
The temple is open daily, unlike the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, which is only open during the Mandala kalam and during the monthly puja.
Morning:4:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 11:0 PM
Pampa Ganapathy Temple:
Pampa,
Sabarimala,
Pathanamthitta District,
Kerala – 689662.
