On this page
Names and the limits of a universal list
| Stage | Name and context |
|---|---|
| First pilgrimage | Kanni Swamy / Kanni Ayyappan; Kanne Swamy in Telugu usage. |
| Second observance in some regional lists | Kathi / Katthi Swamy. |
| Third observance in some regional lists | Ghanta / Ganta Swamy. |
| Fourth to seventeenth | Lists differ between regional and teaching traditions; one universal sequence is not established here. |
| Eighteenth in some regional lists | Narikela Swamy. Associated customs need guidance from the group’s Guruswamy. |
| Experienced guide | Guruswamy: traditionally associated with eighteen pilgrimages and the responsibility to guide others. |
Years, Deekshas and visits
Count these carefully. A year of observance, a period of Deeksha and a visit to the temple are not necessarily the same thing. Follow the counting tradition explained by your Guruswamy rather than treating repeated visits as an automatic qualification.
Why the complete list is not fixed here
A recorded teaching by Brahma Sri Bhargava Guru Swamy gives a sequence of annual titles that differs from other circulating lists. Any future complete list on this site must identify its tradition and reviewer. These titles also differ from the meanings assigned to the eighteen sacred steps.
Associated customs
Do not plant a coconut sapling, enter forest land or perform a special act at Sabarimala simply because an online account describes it. Obtain current permission and guidance for any such observance.
Sources & editorial notes
Edited 27 October 2026. References provide traditional or practical context; this is not a live service feed. Confirm dates, access, bookings and prices with the authorities. Regional customs are identified where relevant. No priestly or native-language review is claimed.
Kerala Tourism · Guruswamy and observance ↗Brahma Sri Bhargava Guru Swamy · recorded regional teaching (TeluguOne) ↗Our sourcing and corrections approach →