Sabarimala Season 2026-27: Dates, Timings and Rules
The Sabarimala season is due to begin on 17 November 2026, says Deccan Chronicle. The temple board has not posted its 2026-27 dates yet. So the dates for Mandala Pooja (27 December) and Makaravilakku (15 January 2027) come from a calendar site and may change by a day.
Are you planning to climb to Sabarimala this season? Then you need dates that are firm.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has not posted its 2026-27 dates. We mark each date below as expected or listed, and we say where it comes from.
When is Sabarimala Mandalam and Makaravilakku Season 2026-27?
Dates marked expected follow the pattern of earlier years on the board's own calendar page. Treat them as a guide only.
| What | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Temple opens for the season (expected) | Monday, 16 November 2026 | The board's calendar page shows 16 November in 2023 and 15 November in 2024. Not confirmed for 2026. |
| Season day 1 (Mandalakala begins) | Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | Deccan Chronicle says the season is scheduled to begin on this day. The Drik Panchang Kerala calendar lists it too. |
| Mandala Pooja (expected) | Sunday, 27 December 2026 | Some calendars say 26 December. The board's page showed 27 December in 2023 and 26 December in 2024. |
| Temple reopens for Makaravilakku (expected) | Wednesday, 30 December 2026 | The board's page shows 30 December in both 2023 and 2024. |
| Makaravilakku | Friday, 15 January 2027 | Many sites say 14 January. The board has not announced the date. |
| Season closes (expected) | Wednesday, 20 January 2027 | The board's page showed 20 January in 2024. Not confirmed for 2027. |
What is Sabarimala Mandalam and Makaravilakku Season 2026-27?
Sabarimala is the hill temple of Lord Ayyappa in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The temple is not open all year. It opens during Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku, Vishu and on the first days of each Malayalam month (Kerala government site).
The Mandala-Makaravilakku season is the main pilgrim season. It has the 41-day Mandala period, then the Makaravilakku festival in January.
Many pilgrims keep a 41-day vow (Mandala Vrutham). They wear a bead chain (Mala), live simply, and avoid smoking and alcohol. Black clothes are recommended (Kerala government site).
Do temples change their timings on Sabarimala Mandalam and Makaravilakku Season 2026-27?
The Kerala government's site lists this daily timetable for the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. It is the yearly practice, not a 2026 notice.
- Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
The sanctum opens at 3:00 AM. Neyyabhishekam is from 3:30 AM to 7:00 AM and from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Ucha Pooja is at 12:30 PM. The sanctum closes at 1:00 PM and reopens at 3:00 PM.
Deeparadhana is at 6:30 PM. Pushpabhishekam is from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Harivarasanam and closing are at 11:00 PM (timetable).
Here are the visit rules from the Kerala government's page. Take rests during the climb and follow the queue system. Do not jump the queue or use mobile phones in the temple.
Break coconuts only at the marked places. Do not bring firecrackers or weapons.
Only pilgrims who carry the Irumudi kettu (a bundle with a ghee-filled coconut) on the head climb the 18 holy steps (source). Other devotees use a different path.
The board's online booking site is sabarimalaonline.org, and the Kerala site has a Virtual Q menu (board's page). We could not confirm whether virtual queue booking is compulsory in 2026-27.
Tips for your visit
- Wait for the board's notice before you book travel.
- Look for the virtual queue rules on the official sites, not on forwarded messages.
- Plan rest stops on the climb, as the rules advise.
Sabarimala Mandalam and Makaravilakku Season 2026-27 questions
When does the Sabarimala season start in 2026?
It is scheduled to begin on 17 November 2026, says Deccan Chronicle. The temple board has not posted its own notice yet.
When is Makaravilakku 2027?
The Drik Panchang Kerala calendar lists 15 January 2027. Many sites say 14 January, and the board has not announced it.
Is the Sabarimala temple open all year?
No. It opens for the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, Vishu and the first days of each Malayalam month, says the Kerala government site.
Do I need to book a virtual queue?
We could not confirm the 2026-27 rule. Check the board's own site before you go.
Quick summary
The season is due to begin on 17 November 2026, but the board has not posted its dates.
Use the expected dates as a guide only, and watch the board's own site.
The season is due to begin on 17 November 2026. The board has not posted its dates, so the later dates are expected only.
More festivals coming up
- Navratri and Durga Puja 2026 (11 to 21 October 2026)
- Dussehra 2026 (20 to 21 October 2026)
- Diwali 2026 (6 to 11 November 2026)
- Dev Deepawali and Kartik Purnima 2026 (Tuesday, 24 November 2026)
- See the full festival list