Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Mandalam Season 2025 – 2026 – Opening - Closing Dates Of Mandala Kalam Pilgrimage
The world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala remains continuously open only during the famous Makaravilakku – Mandala Puja season (November – December – January). In 2025, the date of opening of the Ayyappa Temple
The two month pilgrim season, popularly known as Mandala Kalam, attracts millions of devotees to this hill shrine dedicated to Sastha or Ayyappa. The annual pilgrimage begins in mid November and ends in mid January with the Makaravilakku.
The two month pilgrim season, popularly known as Mandala Kalam, attracts millions of devotees to this hill shrine dedicated to Sastha or Ayyappa. The annual pilgrimage begins in mid November and ends in mid January with the Makaravilakku.
Schedule for the Sabarimala Pilgrimage in 2025 - 2026
Mandala Pooja Mahotsavam Begins on November 16, 2025 at 1730 hrs.
Mandala Masam or Mandala Kalam begins on November 17, 2025 - the 41 day Mandalam Season begins. The Shrine is open on all days.
Mandala Pooja is on December 27, 2025.
The shrine then closes for a brief period and reopens for Makaravilakku festival.
Makaravilakku is on January 14, 2026. The famous Makara Jyothi sighting also will take place on this day.
Daily Puja Timings
The Usual Puja Timings are as follows when the temple is open:
Temple opens at 0300 hrs (3: 00 AM)
Nirmalya Darshan is at 0305 hrs
Maha Ganapathi homam is at 0315 hrs to 1145 hrs
Neyyabhishekam from is at 0315 hrs to 1145 hrs
Usha Puja (Morning puja) is at 07:30 hrs
Uccha Puja (Afternoon Puja) is at 12:30 hrs
The Temple closes afternoon at 13:00 hrs (01:00 PM)
Deeparadhana (Evening puja) is at 18:30 hrs
Pushpa Abhishekam is at 19:00 hrs
Athazha Puja is at 23:00 hrs
Harivarasanam – at 23:30 hrs
The Temple closes for the day at 23:45 hrs
Nirmalya Darshan is at 0305 hrs
Maha Ganapathi homam is at 0315 hrs to 1145 hrs
Neyyabhishekam from is at 0315 hrs to 1145 hrs
Usha Puja (Morning puja) is at 07:30 hrs
Uccha Puja (Afternoon Puja) is at 12:30 hrs
The Temple closes afternoon at 13:00 hrs (01:00 PM)
Evening Puja
In the evening Temple opens at 15:00 hrs (3: 00 PM)Deeparadhana (Evening puja) is at 18:30 hrs
Pushpa Abhishekam is at 19:00 hrs
Athazha Puja is at 23:00 hrs
Harivarasanam – at 23:30 hrs
The Temple closes for the day at 23:45 hrs
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is located in the forests of the Sabari Hills of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 meter. Pamba is the important base camp on the way to Sabarimala temple and from here one has to trek 5 km to reach the temple.
A pilgrim visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple during the Mandala Pooja period observes certain austerities for 41 days. The pilgrim should abstain from non- vegetarian habits, should not indulge in sex and should wear the special Rudraksha mala.
Some people don’t shave or cut their hair during the period. Some ardent devotees only wear black or saffron dress and avoid wearing footwears.
Pilgrims set out in groups and each carry the Irumudikettu, a cloth bundle containing traditional offerings to the temple which includes coconut, ghee, malar, rice etc.
People of all religions can visit the Sabarimala temple and there is no restriction of caste or creed. But there are certain restrictions on women. Only those women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty are allowed in the shrine. This restriction has been removed by the Honorable Supreme Court of India.
Free food is provided during the period in Pampa
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