Sabarimala Pilgrimage Booking 2025: Temple Opening Dates, Darshan Timings, Vratham Rules, and Key Guidelines for Devotees

Sabarimala Pilgrimage Booking 2025: Opening Dates, Timings & Rules

Sabarimala temple in Kerala opened for the 2025 Mandala–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season on Sunday, November 16, 2025, with thousands of devotees arriving at the hill shrine. The Mandala Pooja Maholsavam, which commenced on November 16, marks the start of one of the biggest annual pilgrimages in the country.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced detailed arrangements, extended darshan timings, and mandatory online booking procedures to ensure smooth crowd management over the next two months.

Sabarimala Temple Now Open for 2025 Pilgrimage

The temple was opened at 5 pm on Sunday, November 16, by outgoing Melshanti Arun Kumar Namboothiri, in the presence of Thantri Mahesh Mohanaru. After lighting the ceremonial fire, the outgoing priest descended the sacred 18 steps, formally marking the start of the new pilgrimage season.

By 6.30 pm, the Thantri consecrated the new Sabarimala Melshanti Prasad Namboothiri at the Sopanam. The consecration of the new Malikappuram Melshanti Manu Namboothiri followed soon after. As per longstanding tradition, no poojas were performed on the opening day.

Pilgrimage officially began at 3 am today (November 17, Monday), coinciding with the start of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam.

Sabarimala Mandala Pooja Dates 2025

• Mandala Season Opening: November 16, 2025 — 5:00 PM
• Mandala Pooja: December 27, 2025
• Temple Closing (Mandala Season): December 27, 2025 — 10:00 PM

Morning

• Temple Opening – 3:00 AM
• Ganapathi Homam – 3:20 AM
• Usha Pooja – 7:30 AM
• Neyyabhishekam – 3:20–7:00 AM and 8:00–11:00 AM
• Pushpabhishekam – 11:00–11:30 AM
• Ucha Pooja – 11:45 AM
• Temple Closing – 1:00 PM

• Temple Opening – 4:00 PM
• Deeparadhana – 6:30 PM
• Pushpabhishekam – 7:00–9:30 PM
• Aththazha Pooja – 9:00 PM
• Harivarasanam – 10:50 PM
• Temple Closing – after Harivarasanam

Mandala Vratham: What Devotees Should Know

As the pilgrimage begins, thousands of devotees across India are observing the traditional 41-day Mandala Vratham. The Vratham begins on the day they wear the sacred Mala (chain) — an act of spiritual commitment called Malayideel or Maladharana.

• Devotees wear black robes, signifying detachment from material life.
• A Guru Swami or temple priest must place the Mala.
• Many begin Vratham on Saturdays or the Uthiram star day, considered auspicious for Lord Ayyappa.
• The Vratham encourages discipline, purity, self-control, and simple living.

Preparation of the Irumudi Kettu, a twin-compartment offering bag, is an essential ritual performed under a Guru Swami’s guidance.

One key ritual is filling a coconut with ghee, done by draining the coconut and refilling it. This symbolizes emptying the mind of worldly attachments and filling it with spiritual intention.

Only those carrying the Irumudi on their head are allowed to climb the sacred Padinettam Padi (18 steps).

Online Booking Mandatory for Darshan

To manage the huge influx of pilgrims, TDB has mandated online booking for all devotees.

Booking Details

• Official Portal: sabarimalaonline.org
• Online Passes Available Daily: 70,000
• Spot Booking Counters: Pamba, Nilackal, Erumeli, Vandiperiyar, Sathram & Chengannur

Authorities have also clarified that no fee is charged for online or spot bookings. Any attempt to charge must be reported to police or TDB Vigilance.

Important Instructions for Pilgrims (2025–26)

• Do not throw clothes or belongings into River Pamba — the act has no ritualistic basis.
• Minimise plastic usage, especially in Irumudi items.
• Report on time at the police verification counters.
• Devotees should follow eco-friendly practices during the trek and in Sannidhanam.