Sabaripeedam is a holy spot on the way from Pampa to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Pampa
It is believed that Sabari lived and observed austerities at this spot in the forest. It is here Lord Ram symbolically explained to the world that what is more important is devotion and not the value of the offerings.
Sabari, a very old lady, was an ardent devotee of Lord Ram. During his search for Mata Sita, Lord Ram along with Lakshman reached the hut of Sabari in the forest.
The old lady who was overwhelmed with joy had nothing to offer to the Lord. Tears trickled from her eyes and then she remembered about fresh fruits that she had collected the other day.
Sabari was not sure whether the fruits were tasty, sour or poisonous. So she tasted them first a little and threw away all that was sour and not good.
So when she went to get them she realized that she had bitten all the fruits. She did not want to offer the half-eaten fruits to Lord Ram.
Lord Ram who realized this asked Sabari to share the half-eaten fruits. Thus Lord Ram proved that it is not the condition or value of the offering that matters but devotion of the devotee who offers it.
Some devotees break a coconut at Sabari Peedam. Light of camphor here is considered auspicious. Another offering her is Vedi Vazhupadu or lighting of cracker.
The Ayyappa devotees who could not offer the Sharakol and Karuppukacha at the Sharam kutti offer it at Sabaripeedam.
The annual procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam to the Ayyappa temple passes through the Sabaripeedam.
It is also believed that there were seven forts in the forest and Sabaripeedam was one among them.