Makaravilakku – Makarajyothi is the most anticipated festival at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. It takes place on January 14 or 15, evening (Makara Sankrama Sandhya) – the time when the Dakshinayana Punyakalam ends and Uttarayan or Uttarayana Punyakalam starts. There are numerous stories regarding the origin and history of the Makarajyothi and Makaravilakku. The most popular legend is that after defeating demon Mahishasura, Ayyappa merged with the Dharma Shastha Murti at the Sabarimala Temple on the Makarajyothi day. Makaravilakku is the Jyothi that appears at Ponnambalameddu three times on Makar Sankranti day after evening puja. Makara Jyothi is the star that appears on the sky during the Puja. Another legend has it that Parashurama first lit the Makaravilakku after installing the murti of Ayyappa. It is also believed that the tribals who were harassed by the demon Mahishasura first lit the light to celebrate the slaying of their tormentor by Ayyappa. Another pop...

Petta Thullal at Erumeli is on the most important event during the Sabarimala Pilgrimage to the Ayyappa Temple . Erumely Petta Thullal 2026 date is January 11. Ayyappa devotees perform Petta Thullal – the dance of ecstasy – commemorating the victory achieved over Demon Mahishasura by Lord Ayyappa, Vavur Swami, Ambalapuzha Sangam (team) and Alancode Sangam. The entire ceremony is performed in front of the Erumeli Vavar Mosque and Pettah Sri Dharmasastha Temple . The Petta Thullal is performed to the chanting of Swami Ennakathom… Swami Thinthakathom. The Ambalapuzha team starts their journey from the Ambalapuzha temple a couple of days before the Petta Thullal day. They reach Erumeli after performing Aazhi Puja at the Manimala Bhagavati Temple . This puja is performed for the redemption of sins. Ambalapuzha Sangam starts their Petta Thullal after witnessing the Eagle flying round in sky. The popular belief is that Lord Vishnu arrives from Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple...

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi festival is observed on the first day of the Makara Masam as per traditional Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala. Sabarimala Makaravilakku 2026 date is January 14. The popular is that Lord Ayyappa merged with the main murti in the Sabarimala Temple on the day. On the Sabarimala Makaravilakku day, the evening deeparadhana is the most important puja. During the deeparadhana, Lord Ayyappa gives darshan fully attired in the Thiruvabharanam – gold ornaments – which is specially brought from the Pandalam Palace . Before the evening deeparadhana on Makaravilakku day, an eagle hovers over the Sabarimala Temple . Next the Makara Star appears on the sky – Makara Jyothi is the star that appears on the sky on the day in the evening. Next is the appearance of Makaravilakku – it is the light that appears three times in the distant hill at Ponnambalamedu. Related Sabarimala Makaravilakku And Makara Jyothi Festival - Reas...

Achankoil Sastha Temple , or the Dharmasastha Temple , is one among the five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala . Lord Ayyappa leads the Grihastha Ashrama life here – he is depicted as a family man or leads married life here. He is depicted along with his two wives – Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that the idol here was installed by Lord Parashurama. The Sastha Murti (Vigraham) in the shrine is unique as he holds sword and shield. He also wears colorful clothes.   The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for curing poisonous snake bites. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil Sastha Temple always holds ‘Chandan’ (sandalwood paste) and Thirtha (holy water). The Chandan and Thirtha are considered to have medicinal properties to cure snake bites. The temple complex also contains other deities associated with the Ayyappa legend. The festivals and rituals held here have strong Tamil roots. The subsidiary deities worshippe...

One has to climb the Pathinettam Padi or the eighteen steps to reach the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . There is deep symbolism associated with the eighteen steps. One can climb the eighteen steps only if one is carrying the irumudi. The widely accepted belief is that the eighteen steps represent the eighteen mountains in Sabarimala. Another popular belief is that Lord Ayyappa had placed each one of his eighteen weapons on the eighteen steps and entered the temple and merged with the murti in the temple. There is another belief which states that eighteen steps are the eighteen Puranas. Another belief is that the eighteen steps are associated with Yoga. Some people also claim the steps represent the eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. It is also believed that the first five steps represent five Indriyas or Panchandriya; The six to thirteen steps represents Ashta Roga – Raga, Dwesha, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya; The ...

Sabarimala Pilgrimage 2025 – 2026 – opening and closing dates based on traditional Hindu calendar followed in Kerala. The world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala remains continuously open only during the famous two month pilgrimage season (November – December – January). In 2025, the date of opening of the  Ayyappa   Temple  for Mandalam season is November 17. Here is the schedule for the Sabarimala Pilgrimage in 2025 - 2026:  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. 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. Temple  closes after Mandala Po...

One of the most important mantras chanted by Ayyappa devotees to Sabarimala is Swami Saranam. This mantra is uttered as a greeting when two Ayyappa devotees and pilgrims meet. Everything starts and ends in Swami Saranam. Swami Saranam literally means ‘the only hope is Ayyappa.’ But the two words that reverberates in mind of millions of Ayyappa devotees has a more significant and symbolic meaning. Swami Saranam -  Swa – the uttering of this syllable reminds one of the Parabrahma the ultimate source or the Supreme Being. M – represents Shiva. I – represents Shakti. The syllable ‘MI’ represents Shiva Shakti – creation. Sha – syllable in the mantra represents the destruction of all enemies like ego. Ra – represents knowledge, which purifies and puts us in the path of self realization. Nam – is Shanti and final merging in the Supreme Soul. The uttering of the mantra Swami Saranam installs piety and modesty in a devotee. He suddenly transforms ...

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  for Mandalam season is November 16. Here is the schedule for the Sabarimala Pilgrimage in 2025 - 2026: 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. 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. Temple closes after Mandala Pooja on December 27, 2025 at 2230 hrs. The shrine then closes for a brief period and reopens for Makaravilakku fes...

The annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala attracts nearly 50 million people. The pilgrimage is also famous for the worship of Ayyappa’s Muslim warrior friend Vavar and it is this aspect of the Sabarimala Pilgrimage that William Dalrymple, historian and internationally acclaimed writer of travel books, explores. William Dalrymple writes in Mail and Guardian Online The cult of Lord Ayyappa is notable in that it recognizes no distinctions of caste or creed. All pilgrims eat and travel together; and more remarkable still, at the small hill town of Erumeli , all the pilgrims -- the vast majority of whom are Hindu -- pray not only at the temple but also at the town's mosque. They do this in memory of the legendary assistance given to Lord Ayyappa by a Muslim warrior named Vavar. In a country that sometimes seems irreparably divided along lines of religion, this was something remarkable.  "Vavar was a good friend to Lord Ayyappa,...

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala is open for darshan only during certain specific periods in a year. Below are the dates on which the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple will remain open during 2025 – 2026. The temple is open for monthly pujas for five days from the first of Malayalam month on all months in year. Other days when the temple is open are for Sabarimala Shrine festival, Vishu, Ayyappa Idol installation anniversary puja, Onam puja, Sri Chithira Attam Thirunal, two months during the Mandalam Puja season (November – December) and finally during the Makaravilakku Puja (January) season. Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Calendar 2025 – 2026 September 2025 at Sabarimala September 17, 2025 to September 21, 2025  – Kanni Masam Pooja – Monthly Puja – The temple remains open for five days during the period. September 4, 2025 to September 7, 2025 -  Onam Puja. September 15, 2025   – Thiru Onam Puja October 2025 at Sabarimala October 18, 2025 to October...

Makaravilakku – Makara Jyothi is an important festival at the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Legend has it that after defeating demon Mahishasura, Hariharasudhan Ayyappa merged with the Dharma Sastha Murti (Vigraham or Bhimbam or idol) on the Makara Jyothi day. It is also the most important and the last festival in the two-month Mandala Pooja – Makaravilakku Kalam at the temple. In 2026, the date of Sabarimala Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi Festival is January 14. Sabarimala Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi Festival is witnessed by thousands of Ayyappa devotees. The evening deeparadhana is the most important event on the day. On the day for deeparadhana, Hariharasudhan Ayyappa appears before the devotees fully attired in the Thiruvabharanam – gold ornaments – which is specially brought from the Pandalam Palace . Before the evening deeparadhana, an eagle hovers over the Sabarimala Temple . Next the Makara Star appears on the sky – Makara Jyothi is the ...

The Mandala Puja observed in the Malayalam month Dhanu marks the end of 41-day pilgrimage or the Mandala Kalam at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Sabarimala Mandala Pooja 2025 date is December 27. The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple which opens in mid-November remains continuously open for 41 days till the Mandala Puja. After the Mandala Pooja, the temple closes for a brief period of two to three days and reopens for Makaravilakku festival, which is observed on January 14, 2026. The Sabarimala Mandala Kalam begins in mid-November – on the first day of Malayalam month Vrishchikam. The 41 days conclude during the last week of December – in the Malayalam month Dhanu. The puja on last day is known as Mandala Puja and it is held in the evening. The puja is held by adorning the Thanka Anki (golden attire) which is brought in a procession from the famous Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple . Related Sabarimala Temple Calendar – 2025 - 2026 - Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Op...

Pamba River which follows through the base of Sabarimala Mountain is considered as holy as Ganga River . Performing Bali Tharpanam on the banks of Pampa is considered highly meritorious. Annually Ayyappa devotees who visit the Sabarimala Temple do Bali Tharpanam to dead parents, relatives and ancestors. The Bali Tharpanam is performed at Triveni – the Pamba River , Kallar and Njunagar meet here. Performing Tharpanam is like performing it at Prayag the confluence of Saraswati, Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad . Legend has it that Lord Ayyappa performed Tharpanam for the warriors who died in the war against Maravapada at Triveni. Some people perform Tarpanam in memory of this incident.

Pamba Ganapathy Temple , also known as Pampa Ganapathi Kovil, is dedicated to Ganesha. This is the first temple and holy spot on the way from Pamba to Sannidhanam – the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Prayers are offered here for a safe trek to Sannidhanam. The main offering at Pampa Ganapathi Temple is coconut. Devotees break a coconut here before climbing the mountain. Devotees visiting the Ayyappa Temple should carry an extra coconut to break it at this shrine. The temple also has subsidiary shrines dedicated to Nagarajavu (Serpent deity), Goddess Parvati Devi, Adimoola Ganapati, Hanuman Swami, and Bhagvan Sri Ram. The river bank or arat kadavu in front of the Ganapathi Temple at Pampa is the spot where the utsava murti of Ayyappa from Sannidhanam is taken for ceremonial purification at the end of 10-day Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple festival (March – April). On the same day after the purification ritual, the utsava murti or procession idol of Lord Ayyappa is...

The first time visitors of Ayyappa Temple (Kanni Ayyappas) throw Sharakol or Arrows at Saramkuthi. But why do Ayyappas carry arrows to Sabarimala? Legend has it that after defeating the Marava Pada (an army of bandits) and Udayanan (the leader of the bandits), Ayyappa, Vavar, Kadutha and the army crossed the Enjiparakotta and headed towards and reached Pampa . From here the warriors headed by Ayyappa went towards Nili Mala. And they reached the Sabari Peedam. Here Ayyappa asked his warriors to put down all the weapons. The warriors put down their bow, arrows, swords, spears and other weapons under a peepal tree. After that they entered the temple of Dharma Shasta (the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple ). First time visitors to Ayyappa Temple , known as Kanni Ayyappas, throw Sharakols or arrows in memory this divine act. Symbolically, one should enter the Sabarimala Temple with devotion only. The army then rebuilt the temple that was destroyed by the bandits....

Malikapurathamma is the Goddess that is worshipped in a subsidiary shrine at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Malikapurathamma Temple is visited after having darshan of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . As per the story of Malikapurathamma, she is Demoness Mahishi who was annihilated by Ayyappa. When Mahishi – the buffalo-headed demon – was killed by Ayyappa, she changed into a beautiful woman. Mahishi in her previous birth was the daughter of Sage Galvan. She was cursed by a student of Galvan to become a buffalo headed demon. With Ayyappa killing Mahishi, she attained reprieve from curse. The beautiful woman wanted to marry Ayyappa. But Ayyappa told her that he is a Brahmachari. Ayyappa asked her to reside near his temple in Sabarimala. Her temple in time came to be known as Malikapurathamma Temple . Ayyappa also told her that He will marry her when no first timer (kanni Ayyappa) comes to Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Related Story of Mahishi

The most important offering to Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is Ghee. Ayyappa loves Abhisheka and he is therefore also known as Abhisheka Priyan. The most popular abhishekam is using Neyyu or ghee. Devotees bring ghee to the temple by felling it inside a coconut. This coconut is known as Neythenga or the coconut filled with ghee. This coconut is carried from home in the Irumudi kettu. The ghee symbolizes the human soul and through the abhishekam of the ghee on Lord Ayyappa the soul merges with the Supreme Being. The jeevatma is ghee and the paramatma is Lord Ayyappa. Once the ghee is removed from the coconut, then the coconut symbolizes Jadam or dead body. This is the reason why the coconut is then offered in the huge Aazhi or fire in front of the temple.

A darshan of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is only complete when it is made after climbing the 18 holy steps. Atop the 18 steps is the shrine of Lord Ayyappa and below the 18 steps is the Aazhi or the huge bonfire lit using coconut. There is a popular belief that the 18 steps symbolically represent the 18 Puranas. Another symbolism suggests that the 18 steps are a combination of Pancha bhutas, Ashta Ragas, the three gunas, vidya and Avidya. There are also many scholars who suggest that the significance of the 18 steps is based on Yoga – as Lord Ayyappa is sitting in a yoga posture at the temple. As per yoga, in a human body the sushma nadi marga has six chakras and each has three steps. After passing these 18 steps the kundalini Shakti is believed to merge with the Brahman. So those people who believe that the significance of the 18 steps is based on yoga suggest that the huge bonfire or Aazhi on the base of the 18 steps is the Kundalini energy in...

This is an important question asked by many devotees of Hariharasudhan Ayyappa. As you might be well aware that the temple remains continuously open annually only for two months starting from November 16 to January 20. At other times you need to make the visit during the 5 day pujas held in the beginning of a Malayalam month that is around 15 to 19 of every month. Apart from this you can also visit the temple when there is the 10-day Vishu puja (April 10 to April 18), the yearly festival (March) and during the Thiruvonam puja. How many times can we visit Sabarimala in a year? The answer is you can visit any number of times you want when the temple is open. There is no restriction regarding the number of visits. There are staunch Ayyappa devotees who visit the temple every month. Some devotees visit during month in which they have some special puja. Some devotees visit in alternative months. 

Can I use shampoo while bathing at the time of Sabarimala Vrat? This a query that many devotees of Hariharasudhan Ayyappa have. The vrat is observed for a period of 41 days in November and December. Cleanliness is an important aspect of Hinduism. By cleanliness it is meant both internal and external cleanliness. A devotee taking Sabarimala Vrat can use shampoo there is absolutely no problem. This does not result in the failure of vrat. Some staunch devotees avoid commercial shampoo and use ‘shikakai’ or other natural substances. This is because they believe that in the making of commercial shampoo living beings are harmed.  Some believe that one should be completely natural during the 41-day Ayyappa vrat period and therefore use natural substances for soap and shampoo.