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Punyam Poonkavanam
Protect the Lord's Garden with a green pilgrim pledge
The Sabarimala route passes through the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Every pilgrim carries the duty to keep the Pamba, the forest path, and the temple surroundings free from plastic, chemical pollution, and careless waste.
Strict no-go list
No single-use plastic:
Do not carry or discard plastic bottles, carry-bags, sachets, or foil in the forest belt or temple-side movement zones.
No clothes in Pamba:
Discarding old clothes in the river is not a sacred act. It pollutes the river and harms the ecosystem.
No plastic malas or chemical colours:
Prefer natural materials such as Rudraksha, Tulsi, turmeric, sandal, and natural camphor.
No feeding wildlife:
Do not feed monkeys, elephants, or other animals. Food waste attracts dangerous movement toward the pilgrim path.
Eco-friendly yatra habits
Reusable bottle:
Carry a refillable bottle and use the water or Chukku Vellam support points instead of disposable bottles.
Natural offerings:
Use only natural turmeric, sandalwood, and related offerings that do not stain or poison the rocks and soil.
Join one hour of seva:
Punyam Poonkavanam volunteers encourage pilgrims to offer one hour of cleaning service in the temple surroundings every morning.
Stay on the path:
Do not leave the marked trail or create shortcuts through the forest.
River protection
Soap, oils, detergents, and discarded clothing in the Pamba are strictly prohibited because they damage the river and its dependent life systems.
Wildlife ethics
Silence and orderly movement in the forest reduce the risk of disturbing elephants and other wildlife along the route.
Carry back what you carry in
Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but blessings. Waste should return to Nilakkal, Pamba, or the designated collection points.
Official environmental disclaimer
Statutory Notice: The pilgrimage route lies within the ecologically sensitive Periyar Tiger Reserve. In line with the working High Court and Forest Department directives for the 2025-2026 season, pilgrims must observe the zero-plastic mandate, protect the Pamba from soaps, oils, detergents, or discarded clothing, and avoid disturbing wildlife under the applicable forest and wildlife laws.
Participation in Punyam Poonkavanam cleaning service is strongly encouraged. Help us keep the Lord's Garden pristine.