Ponnambalamedu Hill is located around four kilometers from
the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple at an altitude of 3839 ft. The famous Makaravilakku
is lit at Ponnambalamedu on January 14 or 15 and this marks the end of the annual
Sabarimala Mandala Makaravilakku pilgrimage. There is a popular belief that
Lord Parshuram had built a temple in the hill and this was known as Ponnambalamedu
Temple.
Ponnambalamedu means ‘hill of the golden temple.’ The name
is derived from the Malayalam words Ponnu (gold), ambalam (temple), medu (hill).
Legend has it that Lord Parshuram had built a temple here
dedicated to Ayyappa. It is the Adhi Moolasthanam – or the original abode of
Lord Ayyappa. He also made a pond named Seethakulam here.
The shrine was created after Ayyappa annihilated Mahishi and
Dharma was restored on earth. As per belief, the murti of Lord installed here
was Poorna Pushkala Sametha Maha Sastha. The area was then known as Sreemoolam
Kavu. It is believed that the original temple was made of gold.
As per one belief, the temple was accessible only to Yogis.
Ayyappa later asked a temple to be built in an area which was accessible to all
people. It was built on Mahayoga Peetam of the Garudadri hill. This later came
to be known as Sabarimala.
The original temple at Ponnambalamedu was later destroyed. But
tribals used to still perform worship here. The annual Makaravilakku is
performed here in memory of this event.