Erumeli
Erumeli is a small village located around 15 km from Kanjirappally. According to mythology, Lord Ayyappan followed the path from Erumeli to Sabarimala. The Erumeli Mosque and the Erumeli Sastha temple are the two famous shrines located in Erumeli. A few other shrines located in Pampa, Kalaketti, Karimala and Inchipparakota can also be visited on the way to Sabraimala from Erumeli. The Nainar Mosque, located at Erumeli is an old shrine dedicated to a Muslim saint Vavar, also known as Vavaraswami. The mosque was rebuilt in 1979 with a water tank carved out of a single piece of rock. Stone steps with ancient inscriptions and a few pillars are the prime attractions of the building. The place is visited during the Makara Vilakku season. The Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is the starting point for pilgrims going to Sabarimala. Here, pilgrims pay homage to Vavar at the shrine and a traditional ritual named Petta Thullal is performed. The presiding deity of the shrine is Sasthavu and the sub-deity is Bhagavathy.
Kerala, India