Pilgrimage to Sabarimala  is the most cherished desire of devotees of Lord Ayyappa, who resides there above the sacred 18 steps called Ponnu Patinettampadi. Under the guidance of a Guruswamy, the devotees undertake the Vrata, that is, penance for 41 days controlling their worldly desires and needs, to guide their minds towards the Lord by Nityanushtanam, Puja, Japa, and Namagosham and start trekking through forests and mountains chanting Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa – “O Lord! We take refuge in thee” – expressing the Sharanagati Tattvam, the total surrender to the Lord. 

The devotees must observe the Vrata and carry on their head, the Irumudi to qualify themselves to tread on the Ponnu Patinettampadi – the sacred 18 steps. The Sabarimala temple perhaps the only temple where such an importance is given to the sacred steps leading to the sanctum. All the steps are of the same size, about five or six feet long and eight inches wide. In 1986, the granite steps, which were worn out, were covered with Panchaloha. 

These 18 represent Truth – Satyam, the unchangeable, the one which needs no support. The 18 steps are considered 18 Puranas – evolution of Vedas (Sruti) and Smriti. 

The 18 steps represent 5 Indriyas, 8 Ragas, 3 Gunas, Vidya, and Avidya. Philosophically, it is indicated that a Jivatma has to cross through these elements to reach the Lord. In fact, the words “Tat Tvam Asi” displayed on climbing the 18 steps form the Mahavakya, the sentence sublime, which literally translated means, “That Thou Art.” That you are not alien to God is the purport of this sublime sentence. After ascending the 18 steps, a devotee gets a feeling as if the Lord communicates with him, “O dear! You are no one else but Me.” 

Devotees consider the Patinettampadi to be the steps to heaven and subsequent Darshan of the Lord leading to Moksha. The serene looking 18 steps lead to the shrine of the deity which is about 30/40 feet above the ground, facing the East. The right leg is to be placed on the first step of Patinettampadi while climbing up. A coconut is broken while climbing up and again after Darshan of Ganapati, Nagaraja, Malikappurathu Amma, and other shrines. “Padi Puja” is an important Puja at Sabarimala. 

The Sabarimala pilgrimage is unique in its character. It cultivates Bhakthi, an attitude to renounce or at least control worldly desires, and a sense of equality, openness, and tolerance. The bliss and solace one gets after the Darshan of the Lord is something one has to experience. 

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!