The Holy 18 Steps
Initially the 18 steps were made of granite.it was later covered with Panchaloha in the year 1985.
As per the tradition ,those who undertake the penance for 41 days and those who carries the IRUMUDI on their head are allowed to use the steps.
Some believe the eighteen steps denotes the 18 puranas. Others are of the belief that the first five steps denotes the indriyas (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin). The next eight steps signifies the ragas (tatwa, kama, krodha,
moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara. The next three steps signifies the gunas (satwa, rajas and thamas). The seventeenth and the eighteenth denotes vidhya and ignorance.
During the visit one should use these steps only twice,once climbing and the other while descending.
Those who successfully climb the holy steps 18 times ,carry a cocunut sapling to plant near Sannidhanam