Mandalakala 2025 Start and End Date: When is Mandala Pooja at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, and All You Need to Know

Mandalakala 2025 Start and End Date: When is Mandala Pooja at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, and All You Need to Know

Mandalakala 2025: The sacred Mandalakala season 2025 at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple begins on Monday, November 17, 2025, and concludes with the Mandala Pooja on Saturday, December 27, 2025. This divine period marks one of the most auspicious times for devotees of Lord Ayyappa, who undertake a strict 41-day vratham (austerity) before visiting the holy shrine.

What is Mandalakala?

Mandalakala refers to the 41-day spiritual period dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, beginning on the first day of Vrishchikam Masam in the Malayalam calendar. During this time, devotees observe celibacy, maintain purity in thoughts and actions, and follow a vegetarian diet. The period prepares the devotees both mentally and physically for the pilgrimage to Sabarimala Temple.

Mandala Pooja at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

The Mandala Pooja 2025 will be observed on December 27, marking the end of the Mandalakala season. It is celebrated on the 11th or 12th day of Dhanu Masam and symbolizes the culmination of the devotees’ penance and devotion. On this day, the temple witnesses thousands of devotees offering prayers to Lord Ayyappa, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

Importance of the 41-Day Vratham

The 41-day Ayyappa Vratham is an essential part of the pilgrimage. Devotees begin this period by wearing the sacred Mala (holy bead chain), symbolizing their vow to Lord Ayyappa. They follow strict discipline, practice humility, avoid worldly pleasures, and chant the sacred phrase “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.” The vratham instills self-control, purity, and devotion, helping devotees purify their mind and soul.

Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku 

The Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku festival are the two major annual events celebrated at Sabarimala. After Mandala Pooja, the temple closes for a brief period and reopens in January for the Makaravilakku festival, when the sacred Makara Jyothi appears on the horizon — a divine moment awaited by millions of devotees.

The Mandalakala 2025 season holds deep spiritual meaning for every Lord Ayyappa devotee. It’s not just about observing rituals but also about inner transformation, discipline, and surrender to the divine. As the Mandala Pooja 2025 approaches, devotees across the nation prepare to embark on their sacred journey to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, carrying faith, devotion, and the chant of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.”