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Here are a few tips to select the right stations for traveling to Sabarimala by train. And the road connection options.

While booking your travel to Sabarimala by train, first opt for trains that stops at Chengannur (Station code : CNGR ). Many express trains stops at Chengannur ( like Bangalore-Kanyakumari Express).

Some trains doesn't stop at Chengannur. If thats case, book for Kottayam (KTM), a major station just before Chengannur. All express trains in this route stops at Kottayam. From Kottayam, take a bus connection to Pamba (95 km, 2½ Hours by bus to Pamba ).

Some southbound trains doesn't pass via the the Kottayam-Chengannur route (see the Sabarimala route map below). Such trains pass via Alapuzha (ALLP), a route parallel to Kottayam and re-joins the main route near Kollam ( at Kayamkulam Jn).

If you could book only on a train via Alapuzha, get-down at Alapuzha and take the road route to Sabarimala via Changanassery and Erumely (125km).

Or further down in the train route, get down at Kayamkulam Junction (KYJ) and take the road route via Adoor (105 km).

Also keep in mind many long distance trains ends at Ernakulam Junction (ERS). You'll get more choices of trains for Ernakulam Jn than Chengannur for other cities outside Kerala. The tradeoff is a longer road trip from Ernakulam to Pamba (150km) and a relatively less frequent bus connections than from Chengannur.

Use the same strategy for traveling from the south side ( Trivandrum side) to Sabarimala by train.

In short, book a ticket to Chengannur if you can get its. This is the first choice. Kottayam (KTM) is the second option. Book to Ernakulam as the third option.

[#road]Also see the Road Routes to Sabarimala. How to travel from Karnataka to Sabarimala.