Sabarimala Temple: Timings, History & Online Ticket Bookings

Sabarimala Temple is one of the oldest pilgrim centres in India. The Sabarimala Temple sits in the Western Ghats mountain range at an elevation of 914 meters above sea level, but it is only 4 kilometres away by foot. People dedicate the Sabarimala Temple to the Lord of Hindu Sree Ayyappa.

From mid-November through mid-January is the pilgrimage season. The two main pilgrimage events are Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku. The Temple closes for the rest of the year except for the first five days of each Malayalam month and during Vishu (April).

The Sabarimala temple is located 210 km from Kochi, 191 km from Thiruvananthapuram, and 72 km from Pathanamthitta town. This site is one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites in the nation, and people know it as the “Sacred Abode of Lord Ayyappa.”

The typical route to Sabarimala is a 40-kilometre drive from Erumeli. There are more routes via Plappally from Vandiperiyar, Uppupara, and Chalakkayam. These paths are well-known for their breathtaking scenery and mythological significance.

The sacred shrine at Sabarimala sits amidst thick trees in the rough Western Ghats, populated by a variety of animal types. During the most taxing festivals, known as “Vishu Vilakku ” in April, “Mandala Pooja” in the months of Vrischika Dhanu (Nov. – Dec.), and “Makaravilakku” in mid-January, which coincides with Sankramam, millions of pilgrims from all over the country congregate here.

Sabarimala Temple And Pooja Timings

The Sabarimala Temple And Pooja timings during mandala pooja mahotsavam are mentioned below: 

Morning Pooja Timings:

Opening of Sanctum Sanctorum,  Nirmalyam, Abhishekam = 3:00 AM
Ganapati Homam= 3:30 AM
Neyyabhishekam from 3:30 AM to 7:00 AM
Usha Pooja from 7:30 AM
Neyyabhishekam from 8:30 to 11:00  AM
Neyyabhishekam / Using Ghee deposited in ‘Neythoni’ = 11:10 AM
Ashtabhishekham (15 nos) from = 11:00 to 11:30 AM
Ucha Pooja = 12:30 PM
Closing of sanctum sanctorum = 1:00 PM

Evening Pooja Timings:

Opening of sanctum sanctorum = 3:00 PM
Deeparadhana = 6:30 PM
Pushpabhishekam 7:00 to 9:30 PM
Athazha Pooja from 9:30 pm
Harivarasanam / Closing of sanctum sanctorum = 11:00 PM

About the Deity Of Sabarimala Temple

Vishnu and Shiva’s child, Lord Ayyappa, holds primary reverence in South India and is considered a well-known Hindu god. People also call him Ayyappa.

Legend has it that Ayyappa, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, emerged from the union of the mythical Mohini and Lord Shiva.

Ayyappa is also recognized as “Hariharan Puthiran,” which translates to the son of Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Shiva).

Why is Sabarimala Temple Famous?

Sabarimala temple, dedicated and worshipped to Lord Ayyappa, stands out as the most sought-after among all pilgrimage locations. Lord Parasuram (Incarnation of Lord Vishnu) founded five temples, and Sabarimala temple is one of them.

This temple ranks as the second biggest religious site in the world, with Mecca in Saudi Arabia claiming the first spot.

History Of Sabarimala Temple

The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, Sabarimala, is known for its great ceremonies and traditions, where devoted individuals worship. Worshippers worship the Lord according to rigid laws and regulations while dressed all in black.

This temple practices numerous ceremonies and offerings. Additionally, several tantric poojas are performed in this temple.

The Sabarimala temple, also known as Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, is devoted to Lord Ayyappa, who is thought to be the son of Shiva and Mohini, the feminine manifestation of Vishnu. The temple is located at a height of 3000 Feet on the Sabarimala mountain.

Among all the Sastha temples in Kerala, it is the most well-known and significant. Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and other Ramaa traditions all come together in Sabarimala’s traditions.

An old temple serves as Sabarimala’s shrine. The prince of the Pandalam dynasty, an avatar of Shasta, meditated and attained union with God at the Sabarimala temple. The Manimandapam is where the prince meditated.

One of the five Shasta temples established by Lord Parasurama, according to legend, is the Shasta temple at Sabarimala. The other four temples are the PonnambalaMedu, Aryankavu, Achankovil Shastha, and Kulathupuzha Ayyappa Temples.

Significance Of Sabarimala Temple

The primary temple of Lord Ayyappan stands on a platform approximately 40 feet high and is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Sabarimala. After vandals set it on fire in 1950, the temple underwent reconstruction.

Two mandapams, the “Kodimaram” or flagstaff, the “Belikalpura,” which houses the altar, and a copper-plated ceiling with golden finials are all features of the sanctum sanctorum. The artisans fashioned the one-and-a-half-foot-tall Ayyappa deity out of Panchaloha, a combination of five metals, instead of stone.

The shrine dedicated to Kannimoola Ganapathi lies southwest of the Sannidhanam. Goddess Malikappurathamma stands to the left of the main Sannidhanam. During a Sabarimala tour, the Lord’s assistants, Vavar and Kadutha, stand at the foot of the main Sannidhanam, and visitors can see the 18 Holy stairs (Pathinettu Thrippadi) that lead to the main sanctuary.

Pathinettu Thripadikal: 18 Sacred Steps

The Pathinettu Thripadikal or the 18 sacred steps is the main staircase leading to the temple. No pilgrim may ascend the 18 sacred stairs without an “Irumudikettu,” according to tradition.

The 18 stages were included in Panchaloha’s 1985 service. According to the 1991 decision of the Kerala High Court, those without an “Irumudikettu” may enter through the northern gate.

The temple is closed on all other days of the year, excluding the first five days of each Malayalam month. The devotees participating in Ayyappa Vratam, also known as Ayyappa Maala, carry Irumudi Kettu containing daily sacrifices made to the Lord.

The two most significant festivals held at the temple are Mandalapooja (November 17) and Makaravilakku (Jan 14). The busiest day at this temple is when Makara Jyothi, a celestial star, makes an appearance on January 14. The closest road point to Sabarimala is Pamba, which is 8 kilometres away on foot.

One of the very few Hindu temples in India that is accessible to people of all religions is the Ayyappa Temple. Males of all ages can come to the temple, but they do not allow women between the ages of 10 and 50.

How To Book Sabarimala Online Ticket

Devotees can visit the official website (i.e. sabarimalaonline.org) of the temple to book the Sabarimala Online Ticket for darshan. Also to learn more about the cost of obtaining a Sabarimala darshan online and the availability of virtual queue slots for the pilgrimage in 2025.

• To visit the official website of Sabarimala temple to book online darshan tickets https://sabarimalaonline.org is the first step.
• Return to the webpage and click the link for registration.
• After that, input your email address by clicking the Sabarimala Darshan online booking registration Link.
• Fill out the Name, Address, and Mobile Number areas with details about ID proof.
• Clicking the submit button will buy your tickets to Sabarimala.
• The darshan tickets can now be printed or downloaded for your records.

Deity	Lord Ayyappa (Lord Dharmasastha)
Location	Pattanamthittu, Kerala
Entry Fee	General Darshan: Free
Darshan Timings	4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Poojas	Padi Pooja, Neyyabhishekam, Harivarasanam
Best Time to Visit	November to January
Festivals	Vishu, Makara Jyothi

 

Dress Code Of Sabarimala Temple

Men who want to seek the Lord’s blessings must adhere to an extremely rigorous dress code at the Sabarimala Temple. The dress code prohibits any type of upper clothing, such as shirts or vests. To see the Lord, individuals must dress in a dark blue, orange, or black dhoti.

It is prohibited for women between the ages of 10 and 55 to visit Sabarimala. Inside the temple grounds, women over the age limit should wear a saree.

Sabarimala Temple Festivals

Vishu:

The Malayali New Year, also known as Vishu, is observed in mid-April. People adorn their homes with lights and put on new clothing. Devotees Offer Payasam, Appam, and milk sweets to God. They arrange rice, fruits, areca nuts, canna flowers, mirrors, and coins ritualistically and present them to the Lord, followed by the performance of pooja. Children set off firecrackers to celebrate New Year’s birth after the morning rituals of the day.

Onam:

Kerala observes its national holiday in the month of Chingam (Aug.-Sep.). The people celebrate the three-day big celebration. The day marks the birth of Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar and the subsequent return of King Mahabali. It is also regarded as a harvest festival.

Makara Vilakku:

The shrine is currently observing one of the most significant festivals. The event starts on Makar Sankranti day and lasts for seven days. On this specific day, they thought that they placed the statue of Lord Ayyapan in the temple.

From the Valiya Koyikkal Sastha Temple in Pandalam, priests adorn the god with priceless jewellery. On the platform of the Mani Mandapam, there is a statue of the Lord riding a tiger.

The procession carries the idol of Malikapurathamma behind an elephant up to the sacred 18 steps before circling the temple to bring it back.

How To Reach Sabarimala Temple

By Plane:

To get to Sabarimala Temple by plane, you need to book a trip to Cochin International Airport (COK) in Kochi, Kerala. Once you get to the airport, you can take a cab or a bus to the base camp at Pamba, which is where the journey to Sabarimala begins.

You can also choose to take private transportation from the airport straight to Pamba. Since the temple is on a hill, you will need to keep walking or take a local bus to get to the base of it from Pamba. It’s important to know the rules and laws for entering the temple before you go.

By Train:

To take a train to the Sabarimala Temple, you need to buy a ticket to Kerala’s Chengannur Railway Station. After you get to Chengannur, you can get a ride to Pamba, which is the starting point for pilgrims going to Sabarimala Temple.

From there, you can walk or take a local bus to get to the temple, which is on top of a hill. Before making a trip to the temple, you should find out what the rules are and what you need to do to get in.

By Road:

For the convenience of Sabarimala pilgrims, KSRTC has begun providing bus services from Pampa to Coimbatore, Palani, and Thenkasi.

The governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also received permission to operate buses to Pampa. There is a chain service running between Pampa and Nilackal base camps.

If you choose to go by road to Sabarimala temple, Pamba is the nearest place which is 5 KM away. Visit 99Pandit for more information related to it.

Important Facts Of Sabarimala Temple

1. Since 1500 years ago, devotees have been living celibate lives.
2. A colour code governs followers.
3. Lord Ayyappa conquered the demoniac at the site where they have now situated the temple.
4. There are 18 hills surrounding the temple. There are 18 steps in total.
5. Within proximity to the temple is a mosque.
6. The name of the shrine is a nod to the enduring Ramayana.
7. Before entering the shrine, devotees must follow a strict fasting regimen.
8. When visiting the Sabarimala Temple, devotees must follow specific guidelines.
9. Pilgrims participate in the Neyyabhishekam ritual.
10. Priests in Sabarimala earn more than a crore rupees.
11. The area offers Prasadam, which is also a regional speciality.
12. The most important religious site in the entire globe is a well-known Hindu temple in India.
13. There are only a few days of Makara Jyothi when the temple is open.

Final Glimpse

Sabarimala Sree Ayappa temple is one of the sacred and religious places for people coming to seek the blessings of the divine. The temple is located in the western Ghat mountain area of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala; this is one of the few hindu temples in India which is available to all faiths.

The temple is devoted to Lord Kartikeya in the South region. Every small detail we have discussed in the article regarding cost, vidhi, and benefits. You can even read the details of how you can reach the temple by air, road, and bus.

So if you are planning to visit the temple, plan it according to the given details.

Frequently Asked Question

Q.Where is Sabarimala temple located?

A.Sabarimala temple is located on the mountain ranges of the western ghats at an altitude of 914m above sea level but that could be accessible only by foot pamba (4 km).

Q.What is the dress code of Sabarimala temple?

A.Men should wear inside the temple one needs to be dressed in a dark blue, orange, or black dhoti. Inside the temple grounds, women over the age limit should wear a saree.

Q.What is the main festival of Sabarimala temple celebrated?

A.The two most significant festivals held at the temple are Mandalapooja (November 17) and Makaravilakku (Jan 14). The busiest day at this temple is when Makara Jyothi, a celestial star, makes an appearance on January 14.

Q.Who is the main deity of Sabarimala temple?

A.Vishnu and Shiva’s child, Lord Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa is revered primarily in South India and is thought to be a well-known Hindu god. Ayyappa is the name used to refer to him as well.

Q.How is Onam celebrated in Sabarimala temple?

A.Kerala’s national holiday is observed in the month of Chingam (Aug.–Sep.). The three-day big celebration is celebrated. The day marks the birth of Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar and the subsequent return of King Mahabali. It is also regarded as a harvest festival.