ERUMELI

Erumeli (Means killing the buffalo, the symbol of Ego)

The first pilgrim spot is the Erumeli. It is believed that the place derived its name ‘Erumely’ from the Malayalam words ‘Eruma kolli’.  (Eruma means she-buffalo, and kolli, the place of killing). The slaying of the buffalo here has a deeper connotation, that of eliminating or transcending the Ego.  At Erumely there are three sacred spots, which the pilgrims visit. They are the two shrines of Lord Dharma Saastha, the Kochambalam (small shrine) and the Valiambalam (bigger shrine) and the mosque of Vaavar (Vavar Muslim palli).

The pilgrims who go to Sabarimala via Erumely reach this place in vehicles and after participating in a ritualistic dance called petta -thullal and worship at the shrines either proceed to Pampa in vehicles or by foot through the forest path.