The short answer
Pathinettampadi (the Eighteen Steps): what visitors should know first
Treat the steps as the emotional centre of the visit, not a photo stop. Only irumudi-bearers climb them, and they are managed by police and volunteers in a steady flow. Follow instructions, do not stop, and do not break coconuts here.
History and context
The story behind Pathinettampadi (the Eighteen Steps)
Wikipedia records that the eighteen steps were covered with panchaloha, an alloy of five metals, in 1985. A 1991 Kerala High Court judgment is cited for the north gate being open to those without an irumudi.
Useful facts
Pathinettampadi (the Eighteen Steps) facts at a glance
- Location
- In front of the Sabarimala shrine, Sannidhanam
- Faith
- Hindu
- Deity/dedication
- Gateway to Sree Dharmasastha (Ayyappan)
- Visitor note
- Irumudi-bearers only; others use the north gate
- Built
- Panchaloha cladding added 1985
Why it matters
Why Pathinettampadi (the Eighteen Steps) is worth your time
In pilgrim tradition, the eighteen steps are the threshold a devotee crosses after weeks of preparation, and explanations of what each step stands for vary, so listen to guidance on the day rather than rely on a fixed reading.
The steps were covered in panchaloha in 1985, giving them the gold-coloured look familiar in photographs. Only those who have observed the vratham and carry the irumudi may climb them, which is why they carry such weight: they mark who has completed the preparation and who is simply visiting.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Flanking shrines
Valiyakadutta Swami's shrine stands on the left and Karuppu Swami's on the right as you climb.
- 02
The irumudi
The cloth bundle on each pilgrim's head is the visible mark of the vratham that earns the right to climb.
- 03
The metal cladding
The panchaloha covering gives the steps a golden gleam that catches the lamps at dusk.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The steps rise in front of the shrine and are reached after the long queue complex at the Sannidhanam. Pilgrims arrive carrying the irumudi kettu on their heads, a cloth bundle of offerings prepared before the journey.
The flow is deliberate and fast: volunteers and police guide each batch up the steps, and one is expected to keep moving. Many pilgrims touch the steps, or each step in turn, in reverence. Shrines flank the ascent: Valiyakadutta Swami's to the left and Karuppu Swami and Karuppai Amma's to the right. The Board advises breaking coconuts only at designated spots, not on the steps.
If you are not carrying an irumudi, you will be sent through the north gate. Do not treat that as a lesser route; it is the officially sanctioned alternative, and the view of the steps from the side is still memorable.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Carry the irumudi on your head only if you are a pilgrim
- Do not stop or turn around on the steps
- Break coconuts only at designated spots
- Follow volunteers and police instructions without argument
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Front of the main shrine, Sannidhanam, Sabarimala
- Time needed
- A few minutes to climb; the wait to reach them is the long part
- Best time
- Monthly opening days for calm; early morning in season
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The steps are steep and wide only enough for a continuous line, with volunteers assisting. Elders who cannot climb them can be directed to the north gate. Take a steady grip on the railing and expect to be moved along quickly.
- Tickets and access
- No separate ticket, but access is limited to pilgrims carrying the irumudi, who must have entered through the official queue. Those without irumudi use the north gate. Photography and conduct are regulated; follow signage and police instructions.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Pathinettampadi (the Eighteen Steps)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The steps are steep and wide only enough for a continuous line, with volunteers assisting. Elders who cannot climb them can be directed to the north gate. Take a steady grip on the railing and expect to be moved along quickly.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can anyone climb the eighteen steps?
Only pilgrims carrying the irumudi bundle climb them. Others are directed through the north gate.
Are the steps really gold?
They are covered with panchaloha, an alloy of five metals, added in 1985, which gives a golden look.
Can I break a coconut at the steps?
No. The Board's guidance for 2025-26 was to break coconuts only at designated spots, not on Pathinettampadi.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Sabarimala Temple
- Kerala Tourism: Sabarimala pilgrim centre
- Onmanorama: Sabarimala virtual queue and routes, 2025-26
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
