Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India and is believed to be the divine abode of Lord Ayyappa Swamy. Located deep within the dense green forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, this holy shrine draws lakhs of devotees every year. Pilgrims undertake the Sabarimala yatra with strict discipline, devotion, and spiritual dedication, making the journey as meaningful as the darshan itself.
Unlike most temples in the country, the Sabarimala Temple does not stay open throughout the year. The temple strictly follows the traditional Malayalam calendar and opens only on selected auspicious days for mandala pooja, makaravilakku, monthly poojas, and other important occasions. Due to this limited opening schedule, knowing the correct Sabarimala opening dates and darshan timings for 2026–27 is extremely important for devotees planning their pilgrimage.
This complete Sabarimala temple opening calendar for 2026–27 is designed to help pilgrims plan their visit with ease. It reduces confusion, helps avoid last-minute issues, and ensures devotees remain spiritually prepared for a smooth and peaceful darshan of Lord Ayyappa.
Sabarimala Temple Timings
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple follows a fixed daily schedule that every devotee should know before planning a visit. Since the temple is located deep inside the forest hills, Sabarimala temple timings are strictly followed to manage crowds and ensure safety. The temple does not remain open throughout the year and follows the Malayalam calendar for deciding opening days. Knowing the correct Sabarimala opening and closing time helps pilgrims plan a smooth and peaceful darshan of Lord Ayyappa Swamy.
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Darshan Timings
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Sabarimala Temple Opening Time | 5:00 AM |
| Morning Darshan Time | 5:30 AM |
| Afternoon Break Time | 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Evening Darshan Time | 4:00 PM |
| Sabarimala Temple Closing Time | 10:00 PM |
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple usually opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM on darshan days. However, Sabarimala darshan timings may change during Mandala season, Makaravilakku festival, and other special pooja days. Devotees are advised to check the latest Sabarimala temple timings today before starting their pilgrimage.
The holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa Swamy is located deep inside dense forests, which makes it impossible to keep the temple open all year. Due to weather conditions and long-followed customs, the temple opens only on selected days. The Sabarimala temple opening dates and closing dates are decided strictly as per the traditional Malayalam calendar.
Sabarimala Temple Opening Dates 2026–27
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple does not remain open every day like most temples. It opens only on selected holy days, monthly poojas, and major festivals as per the Malayalam calendar. Because of this limited schedule, knowing the correct Sabarimala temple opening dates 2026–27 is very important for devotees planning their pilgrimage.
The month-wise opening and closing calendar below gives clear and reliable information so pilgrims can plan their darshan without confusion.
Sabarimala Temple Opening and Closing Calendar 2026–27
| Month | Occasion / Pooja | Temple Opens | Temple Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Makaravilakku Day | 14 Jan 2026 | Same day |
| February 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Kumbham | 12 Feb 2026, 5:00 PM | 17 Feb 2026, 10:00 PM |
| March 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Meenam | 14 Mar 2026, 5:00 PM | 19 Mar 2026, 10:00 PM |
| March–April 2026 | Sabarimala Utsavam | 22 Mar 2026, 5:00 PM | 1 Apr 2026, 10:00 PM |
| March 2026 | Kodiyettu Ceremony | 23 Mar 2026 | Same day |
| April 2026 | Pankuni Uthram and Arattu | 1 Apr 2026 | Same day |
| April 2026 | Meda Vishu Festival | 11 Apr 2026, 5:00 PM | 18 Apr 2026, 10:00 PM |
| April 2026 | Vishu Day | 15 Apr 2026 | Same day |
| May 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Edavam | 14 May 2026, 5:00 PM | 19 May 2026, 10:00 PM |
| May 2026 | Idol Installation Pooja | 25 May 2026, 5:00 PM | 26 May 2026, 10:00 PM |
| June 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Midhunam | 14 Jun 2026, 5:00 PM | 19 Jun 2026, 10:00 PM |
| July 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Karkkidakam | 16 Jul 2026, 5:00 PM | 21 Jul 2026, 10:00 PM |
| August 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Chingam | 16 Aug 2026, 5:00 PM | 21 Aug 2026, 10:00 PM |
| August 2026 | Onam Pooja Days | 24 Aug 2026, 5:00 PM | 28 Aug 2026, 10:00 PM |
| August 2026 | Onam Festival Day | 26 Aug 2026 | Same day |
| September 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Kanni | 16 Sep 2026, 5:00 PM | 21 Sep 2026, 10:00 PM |
| October 2026 | Monthly Pooja – Thulam | 17 Oct 2026, 5:00 PM | 22 Oct 2026, 10:00 PM |
| November 2026 | Sree Chithra Atta Thirunal | 6 Nov 2026, 5:00 PM | 7 Nov 2026, 10:00 PM |
| Nov–Dec 2026 | Mandala Pooja Maholsavam | 16 Nov 2026, 5:00 PM | 27 Dec 2026, 10:00 PM |
| December 2026 | Mandala Pooja Day | 27 Dec 2026 | Same day |
| Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | Makaravilakku Mahotsavam | 30 Dec 2026 | 20 Jan 2027 |
| January 2027 | Makaravilakku Day | 14 Jan 2027 | Same day |
Except for the dates listed above, the Sabarimala Temple remains closed on all other days of the year. Devotees are strongly advised to plan their journey only during the official opening periods. Knowing the Sabarimala opening and closing dates, along with festival schedules, helps ensure a peaceful, well-planned, and spiritually meaningful darshan at the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa Swamy.
Daily Pooja Timings at Sabarimala Temple
Along with darshan, many devotees plan their visit based on the daily pooja timings at Sabarimala Temple. These poojas are performed with strict discipline and devotion on all temple opening days. Knowing the correct Sabarimala pooja schedule helps pilgrims take part in important rituals and experience the spiritual atmosphere of the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa Swamy.
Morning Pooja Timings at Sabarimala
| Pooja Name | Time |
|---|---|
| Opening of Sanctum | 3:00 AM |
| Ganapati Homam | 3:30 AM |
| Nirmalya Darshanam | 3:30 AM to 7:00 AM |
| Usha Pooja | 7:30 AM |
| Neyyabhishekam | 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM |
| Ashtabhishekam | 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Ucha Pooja | 12:30 PM |
| Closing of Sanctum | 1:00 PM |
The morning poojas at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple begin very early and allow devotees to have peaceful darshan during the calm hours. Nirmalya Darshanam and Neyyabhishekam are considered very important rituals, and many pilgrims plan their darshan around these poojas.
Evening Pooja Timings at Sabarimala
| Pooja Name | Time |
|---|---|
| Opening of Sanctum | 3:00 PM |
| Deeparadhana | 6:30 PM |
| Pushpabhishekam | 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Athazha Pooja | 9:30 PM |
| Harivarasanam | 10:50 PM |
| Closing of Sanctum | 11:00 PM |
The evening pooja schedule at Sabarimala Temple is equally special. The chanting of Harivarasanam before the temple closes creates a deeply spiritual feeling and marks the end of the day’s rituals. Devotees who attend evening poojas often experience a calm and devotional atmosphere.
Sabarimala Online Darshan Booking and Virtual Queue System
Due to heavy rush throughout the season, Sabarimala online darshan booking is required on most temple opening days. To manage the large number of pilgrims, the temple follows a virtual queue system, which allows only a fixed number of devotees to enter the shrine each day. This system helps avoid long waiting hours and ensures a smooth and safe darshan experience.
On most days, around 15,000 pilgrims per day are allowed for darshan during monthly poojas and major festivals. Sabarimala darshan slots are released in advance, and devotees are strongly advised to complete their booking early. Last-minute bookings are rarely available due to high demand, especially during Mandala and Makaravilakku seasons.
The virtual queue at Sabarimala plays an important role in maintaining order, discipline, and safety during the pilgrimage. It helps regulate crowd movement, reduces congestion on forest routes, and allows devotees to complete their darshan peacefully while following temple rules.
How to Book Sabarimala Darshan Ticket Slot Online
Booking a Sabarimala darshan ticket online is mandatory for most temple opening days. The process is simple and can be completed from home. Follow the steps below carefully to book your darshan slot without any trouble.
Step 1 Visit the official Sabarimala website
• Open the official website of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
• The homepage of Lord Ayyappa Sabarimala Temple will appear
Step 2 Login or register your account
• Click on the Login / Registration option on the homepage
• Choose Member Login if you already have an account
• Select Sign Up if you are a new user
Step 3 Complete registration details
• Enter your name, address, and mobile number
• Provide valid ID proof details
• Double-check all information and submit the form
Step 4 Book the darshan ticket
• Log in after registration
• Click on Sabarimala darshan ticket booking
• Select your preferred date and available time slot
• Submit the booking request
Step 5 Download the darshan ticket
• After successful booking, download the ticket
• Take a printout or keep a digital copy for temple entry
Your Sabarimala online darshan booking is now complete.
How to Check Sabarimala Virtual Queue Ticket Availability
Before booking, devotees should always check Sabarimala virtual queue availability to avoid disappointment.
Step 1 Open the official Sabarimala online portal
• Visit the official Sabarimala online website:https://sabarimalaonline.org/.
• Go to the homepage menu
Step 2 Check availability
• Click on the Check Availability option
• Select the month and date from the calendar
• Choose “any time” or a specific time slot
Step 3 Understand slot status
• Green slots mean darshan tickets are available
• Red slots mean all tickets are fully booked
By following this step-by-step guide, pilgrims can easily complete their Sabarimala darshan booking online and plan a smooth, safe, and peaceful visit to the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa Swamy.
Why Sabarimala Temple Opens Only on Selected Days
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is located deep inside thick forest hills, which makes it difficult to manage daily temple activities throughout the year. Due to weather conditions, narrow forest paths, and safety concerns, it is not possible to keep the temple open on all days like other temples. Because of this, the temple follows a fixed opening schedule.
As per long-followed customs, the Sabarimala temple opening days are decided strictly according to the Malayalam calendar. Darshan is allowed only during specific periods such as monthly poojas, Mandala season, and major festivals. These traditions have been followed for centuries and are an important part of the spiritual discipline of the pilgrimage.
During temple opening days, strict rituals and poojas are performed with full devotion. At the same time, proper crowd control and safety arrangements are put in place to manage the large number of pilgrims visiting the shrine. The Sabarimala darshan system is designed to maintain order, protect the forest surroundings, and ensure a smooth and disciplined pilgrimage experience.
Understanding why the Sabarimala Temple opens only on selected days helps devotees plan their journey better and respect the sacred traditions followed at the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa Swamy.
Final Words
The Sabarimala pilgrimage is not just a temple visit, but a deeply spiritual journey that tests faith, patience, and devotion. Having the correct Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple opening dates and timings calendar for 2026–27 ensures that your pilgrimage is peaceful and well-planned.
This detailed guide brings together opening dates, pooja schedules, darshan timings, and booking insights in one place so that devotees can focus fully on their spiritual experience without confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sabarimala Temple
When does Sabarimala Temple open in 2026–27?
Sabarimala Temple opens only on selected days in 2026–27, mainly during monthly poojas, Mandala season, and Makaravilakku festival as per the Malayalam calendar.
Is Sabarimala Temple open throughout the year?
No, Sabarimala Temple does not remain open all year. It opens only on specific auspicious days and festival periods.
What is the most important pilgrimage season at Sabarimala in 2026–27?
The Mandala–Makaravilakku season from November 2026 to January 2027 is the most important and crowded pilgrimage period.
What are the daily darshan timings at Sabarimala Temple?
On opening days, darshan usually starts early morning around 3:00 AM and continues until late night, with a short afternoon closure.
Is online darshan booking mandatory for Sabarimala?
Yes, online darshan booking through the virtual queue system is mandatory on most days due to limited daily pilgrim entry.
How many devotees are allowed for Sabarimala darshan per day?
Approximately 15,000 devotees are allowed per day during monthly poojas and special festival periods.
What is Makaravilakku day at Sabarimala?
Makaravilakku is the most sacred festival at Sabarimala, observed in January, marking the culmination of the pilgrimage season.
Does Sabarimala Temple open for monthly poojas?
Yes, the temple opens every month for five days to conduct monthly poojas according to the Malayalam calendar.
What time does the Sabarimala temple close at night?
On most opening days, the temple closes around 11:00 PM after Athazha Pooja and Harivarasanam.
Where can pilgrims check official Sabarimala opening dates and booking updates?
Pilgrims should always check the official Sabarimala or Travancore Devaswom Board website for the latest opening dates and darshan booking updates.
