Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Pathanamthitta (Sabarimala), Kerala
Photo: Brindha sakthivel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Timings

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is open 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:50 PM, daily.

Lord Ayyappa (Dharma Sastha), regarded as the son of Shiva and Vishnu's Mohini avatar · Pathanamthitta (Sabarimala), Kerala

ShivaVishnuAyyappaHigh confidence
Darshan hours (as published)
5:00 AM - 1:00 PM · 6:30 PM - 9:50 PM (temple closes shortly after Harivarasanam)
Open/closed status loads once the page finishes rendering.

Set in Pathanamthitta (Sabarimala), Kerala, Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is a shrine to Lord Ayyappa (Dharma Sastha), regarded as the son of Shiva and Vishnu's Mohini avatar. It is also known as Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy Temple.

One of the most famous and heavily attended annual pilgrimages in the world, and notable for being open to people of all religions. Ayyappa is revered here as the protector of dharma who meditated on the hill. The temple, once called the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a divine warrior and protector of dharma, and takes its name from the Shabari Hills.

Kerala carries a distinct temple identity of its own: God's Own Country, where copper-roofed shrines and centuries-old rituals draw pilgrims to Vishnu, Krishna and Ayyappa.

Darshan hours and daily worship

SessionTiming (as published)
Morning5:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Evening6:30 PM - 9:50 PM (temple closes shortly after Harivarasanam)

The temple is NOT open year-round - it opens only during the 41-day Mandala-Makaravilakku season (mid-November to mid-January), the first five days of each Malayalam month, and days such as Vishu and Onam; see ritualSchedule for the daily pooja sequence on days it is open, confirmed directly from the Travancore Devaswom Board's own website (travancoredevaswomboard.org, page last updated by TDB on 13 March 2024). The exact hours can shift on festival days. Note: the TDB's own online 'Sabarimala Temple Calendar' page has not been updated with specific 2025-26 or 2026-27 opening/closing dates as of this research (September 2026) - its most recent published cycle only runs through Makaravilakku in mid-January 2025 - so exact upcoming dates should be confirmed closer to the season via travancoredevaswomboard.org or sabarimalaonline.org rather than assumed from prior years.

Poojas and daily rituals

Usha Puja (around 7:30 AM), Ucha Puja (noon) and Athazha Puja (night).

Daily aarti and pooja schedule

RitualTime
Temple opens5:00 AM
Nirmmalya Darsan5:05 AM
Ganapathi Homam5:30 AM
Neyyabhishekam (first session)5:30 AM - 7:00 AM
Usha Pooja7:30 AM
Neyyabhishekam (second session)9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Ucha Pooja12:30 PM
Temple closes (midday)1:00 PM
Temple reopens / Deeparadhana6:30 PM
Padipooja & Pushpabhishekam6:45 PM
Aththazha Pooja & Harivarasanam9:50 PM
Weekly or monthly auspicious daysThe first five days of every Malayalam month, plus Vishu and Onam.
Signature annual eventsThe 41-day Mandala Kaalam season and the Makaravilakku festival.

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

FestivalPeriodWhat happens
Mandala PoojaNovember-DecemberMarks the end of the 41-day Mandala Kaalam, the peak pilgrimage period.
MakaravilakkuMid-JanuaryThe grand closing of the season, when devotees witness the sacred Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu and the Thiruvabharanam procession reaches Sabarimala.

History and architecture

Built or establishedOrigins are traditionally dated thousands of years back; in the 12th century a Pandalam prince, Manikandan, believed by many to be an incarnation of Ayyappa, rediscovered the path to Sabarimala.

Architecture

Set on a hilltop in the Shabari Hills at about 3,000 feet above sea level, approached by the 18 sacred steps (Pathinettam Padi). Near the shrine, east of the Sannidhanam, is the abode dedicated to Vavar, a close friend of Ayyappa.

History

The temple, once called the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a divine warrior and protector of dharma, and takes its name from the Shabari Hills. In the 12th century the Pandalam prince Manikandan rediscovered the route to the shrine and is believed to have merged with the divine there. Ancient rituals such as carrying the Irumudi Kettu and climbing the 18 sacred steps have long been observed.

Planning your visit

Dress codeTraditional attire is expected (dhoti/kurta or formal wear). Devotees observe a 41-day vratam of austerity and celibacy beforehand, and only those carrying the Irumudi Kettu on their head may climb the 18 sacred steps. No electronics inside; no non-vegetarian food or alcohol before or around the temple.
Best time to visitDuring the main season from mid-November (Mandala Kaalam) to the Makaravilakku in mid-January; the temple is closed outside its designated opening periods, so check the Malayalam calendar before travelling.
NearbyMalikappuram Devi Temple, Pampa Ganapathi Temple, Pandalam Palace and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to reach

The base is Pamba, the nearest road point (buses bookable via services like redBus); pilgrims then trek uphill. Nearest railway stations are Chengannur, Kottayam and Ernakulam; nearest airports are Cochin and Trivandrum International Airports.

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Where this information comes from

Confidence: High. The Travancore Devaswom Board's own official website was located and fetched directly, confirming the detailed daily ritual schedule with individual clock times (its 'Sabarimala Pooja Timing' page) and the structure of the seasonal opening calendar (its 'Sabarimala Temple Calendar' page). The seasonal pattern (Mandala-Makaravilakku, monthly 5-day openings, Vishu/Onam) is well corroborated, but the official calendar page itself is not currently kept current with the latest pilgrimage year's exact dates, which is disclosed above rather than guessed at.

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Frequently asked questions about Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

What is the timing of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is open 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:50 PM, daily. The temple is NOT open year-round - it opens only during the 41-day Mandala-Makaravilakku season (mid-November to mid-January), the first five days of each Malayalam month, and days such as Vishu and Onam; see ritualSchedule for the daily pooja sequence on days it is open, confirmed directly from the Travancore Devaswom Board's own website (travancoredevaswomboard.org, page last updated by TDB on 13 March 2024). The exact hours can shift on festival days. Note: the TDB's own online 'Sabarimala Temple Calendar' page has not been updated with specific 2025-26 or 2026-27 opening/closing dates as of this research (September 2026) - its most recent published cycle only runs through Makaravilakku in mid-January 2025 - so exact upcoming dates should be confirmed closer to the season via travancoredevaswomboard.org or sabarimalaonline.org rather than assumed from prior years.

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs 5:00 AM - 1:00 PM and evening darshan runs 6:30 PM - 9:50 PM (temple closes shortly after Harivarasanam). The temple is NOT open year-round - it opens only during the 41-day Mandala-Makaravilakku season (mid-November to mid-January), the first five days of each Malayalam month, and days such as Vishu and Onam; see ritualSchedule for the daily pooja sequence on days it is open, confirmed directly from the Travancore Devaswom Board's own website (travancoredevaswomboard.org, page last updated by TDB on 13 March 2024). The exact hours can shift on festival days. Note: the TDB's own online 'Sabarimala Temple Calendar' page has not been updated with specific 2025-26 or 2026-27 opening/closing dates as of this research (September 2026) - its most recent published cycle only runs through Makaravilakku in mid-January 2025 - so exact upcoming dates should be confirmed closer to the season via travancoredevaswomboard.org or sabarimalaonline.org rather than assumed from prior years.

What is the dress code at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Traditional attire is expected (dhoti/kurta or formal wear). Devotees observe a 41-day vratam of austerity and celibacy beforehand, and only those carrying the Irumudi Kettu on their head may climb the 18 sacred steps. No electronics inside; no non-vegetarian food or alcohol before or around the temple.

What is the daily aarti and pooja schedule at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Temple opens at 5:00 AM, Nirmmalya Darsan at 5:05 AM, Ganapathi Homam at 5:30 AM, Neyyabhishekam (first session) at 5:30 AM - 7:00 AM, Usha Pooja at 7:30 AM, Neyyabhishekam (second session) at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Ucha Pooja at 12:30 PM, Temple closes (midday) at 1:00 PM, Temple reopens / Deeparadhana at 6:30 PM, Padipooja & Pushpabhishekam at 6:45 PM, Aththazha Pooja & Harivarasanam at 9:50 PM.

Which festivals are celebrated at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Mandala Pooja, Makaravilakku. See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

What is the best time to visit Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

During the main season from mid-November (Mandala Kaalam) to the Makaravilakku in mid-January; the temple is closed outside its designated opening periods, so check the Malayalam calendar before travelling.

How do I reach Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

The base is Pamba, the nearest road point (buses bookable via services like redBus); pilgrims then trek uphill. Nearest railway stations are Chengannur, Kottayam and Ernakulam; nearest airports are Cochin and Trivandrum International Airports.

Who is the presiding deity at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Lord Ayyappa (Dharma Sastha), regarded as the son of Shiva and Vishnu's Mohini avatar

What is the history of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

The temple, once called the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a divine warrior and protector of dharma, and takes its name from the Shabari Hills.

How reliable is the information on this Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated high. The Travancore Devaswom Board's own official website was located and fetched directly, confirming the detailed daily ritual schedule with individual clock times (its 'Sabarimala Pooja Timing' page) and the structure of the seasonal opening calendar (its 'Sabarimala Temple Calendar' page). The seasonal pattern (Mandala-Makaravilakku, monthly 5-day openings, Vishu/Onam) is well corroborated, but the official calendar page itself is not currently kept current with the latest pilgrimage year's exact dates, which is disclosed above rather than guessed at.