Sabarimala, one of India’s most visited pilgrimage sites, follows a unique seasonal opening schedule rather than staying open year-round. Here’s a complete guide to the Sabarimala temple opening dates for the 2025–2026 pilgrimage season.
Why Sabarimala Doesn’t Stay Open Year-Round
Unlike most Hindu temples that operate daily, Sabarimala follows a seasonal pattern rooted in tradition and practical necessity. The temple’s high-altitude location within the Western Ghats, extreme monsoon weather conditions, and the need for periodic maintenance and forest conservation all necessitate this selective opening schedule, which has been followed for centuries.
The Mandala Season Opening
The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple opened on Sunday, November 16, 2025, marking the start of the two-month Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The sanctum was opened at 5 PM by the outgoing Melsanthi, in the presence of the Tantri, with subsequent ceremonies including the opening of Upadevata shrines and the formal installation of newly selected melsanthis for both Sabarimala Ayyappa and Malikappuram Devi.
Mandala Puja
The Mandala Puja, marking the culmination of the 41-day Mandala Kalam period of devotion and austerity, was held on December 27, 2025. Following this, the temple closed briefly before reopening on the evening of December 30, 2025, for the Makaravilakku season.
The Makaravilakku Festival
The Makaravilakku ritual, one of Sabarimala’s most significant events, was scheduled for January 14, 2026, coinciding with Makara Sankranti. This is when devotees witness the celestial Makarajyothi light appearing on the Ponnambalamedu hills, followed by the Makaravilakku ritual inside the temple itself — an event drawing millions of devotees and considered the ultimate blessing for pilgrims who witness it. Given the sheer volume of devotees, the temple’s opening hours during this peak day were significantly reduced, with the temple open for only a limited morning window to manage crowds.
Season Closing
Following the Makaravilakku festivities, devotees were allowed darshan through January 19, 2026, with the temple’s Mandala-Makaravilakku season officially concluding with closure on the morning of January 20, 2026.
Daily Darshan Timings During the Season
Throughout the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, daily darshan timings were set from 3 AM to 1 PM and again from 3 PM to 11 PM. Devotees were required to book their darshan slots online through the official portal, www.sabarimalaonline.org, given the virtual queue system implemented to manage the enormous volume of pilgrims.
Post-Season Openings in 2026
Beyond the main Mandala-Makaravilakku season, Sabarimala opened for several additional periods through 2026. Monthly pooja for Kumbham month ran from February 12 to 17, 2026, and Meenam month from March 14 to 19, 2026. The Sabarimala Utsavam, including Kodiyettu (Dhwajarohan) and Pankuni Uthram with Arattu, ran from March 22 through April 1, 2026.
Vishu Season 2026
Sabarimala Vishu celebrations, marking the Malayalam New Year, spanned the Medam Vishu festival window from April 11 to 18, 2026, with Vishu day itself falling on April 15, 2026, offering pilgrims a further opportunity for darshan outside the main winter pilgrimage season.
Booking a Sabarimala Darshan Slot
Given the virtual queue requirement, pilgrims planning a visit during any opening period need to book their slot in advance through the official online booking system, since availability fills up quickly, particularly around peak dates like Makaravilakku. Checking the official portal for live slot openings, rather than relying on informal advice, is the most reliable way to confirm availability.
Preparing for the Pilgrimage
Devotees observe a 41-day vratham (austerity period) before undertaking the pilgrimage, involving fasting, celibacy, and wearing the sacred Ayyappa mala. Only pilgrims carrying the traditional Irumudi Kettu, a sacred two-part bundle of offerings, are permitted to climb the temple’s 18 holy steps for darshan.
Final Thoughts
The Sabarimala temple opening dates for 2025-2026 followed the traditional seasonal calendar — opening November 16, 2025, for Mandala Puja on December 27, reopening for Makaravilakku on December 30 through the main festival on January 14, 2026, and closing January 20, 2026 — with additional shorter openings continuing through Vishu in April 2026. Pilgrims planning a visit for future seasons should check the official Travancore Devaswom Board calendar and book virtual queue slots well in advance.