For the 2026–27 season, the Sabarimala temple opens for the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage on Monday 16 November 2026 at 5 pm. Mandala Pooja falls on Sunday 27 December 2026, the temple reopens on Wednesday 30 December for the Makaravilakku festival, Makaravilakku is on Thursday 14 January 2027, and the season closes on Wednesday 20 January 2027.
Every year around this time, swamis ask the same two questions: when does the temple open, and when should the mala be worn? This page puts the whole calendar together so you can plan leave, tickets and the vratham without guesswork.
One honest word before the table. These dates are as announced and reported for Kollam Era 1202, and they follow the pattern the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has used in earlier seasons. The Board's own 2026–27 calendar page was not yet updated online at the time of writing, so please confirm on sabarimalaonline.org before you book anything that cannot be changed.
Sabarimala temple calendar 2026–27 at a glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Thulam monthly pooja | Opens Saturday 17 October 2026, 5 pm; closes Thursday 22 October 2026, 10 pm |
| Mandala-Makaravilakku season begins | Temple opens Monday 16 November 2026, 5 pm |
| Vrischikam 1 (first day of Mandala season) | Tuesday 17 November 2026 |
| Mandala Pooja | Sunday 27 December 2026 (temple closes that night after Harivarasanam) |
| Temple reopens for Makaravilakku festival | Wednesday 30 December 2026, 5 pm |
| Makaravilakku | Thursday 14 January 2027 |
| Season ends (temple closes) | Wednesday 20 January 2027 |
What happens on each of these days
Thulam monthly pooja, October 2026
The sanctum opens at 5 pm on Saturday 17 October. There are no special poojas that first evening; the regular poojas begin at 5 am on Sunday 18 October. The temple then stays open until 10 pm on Thursday 22 October. If you cannot go during the main season, a monthly opening like this one is a quieter way to have darshan. There is also a short opening in early November, before the big season starts.
Season opening and Vrischikam 1
The temple opens on the evening of Monday 16 November, which is the eve of Vrischikam 1. The next day, Tuesday 17 November 2026, is the first day of the Mandala season. Most devotees begin the 41-day vratham and wear the mala on this day. If your Guru Swamy has fixed a different day for your group, follow him; the vratham itself matters more than the calendar square. Our guides on how to wear the Ayyappa mala and the Ayyappa deeksha rules cover the procedure and discipline in detail.
Mandala Pooja
Mandala Pooja falls on Sunday 27 December 2026, the 41st day of the season. The temple closes that night after Harivarasanam. If you have never heard Harivarasanam sung as the doors close, read the Harivarasanam lyrics before you go. It changes how you hear it on the hill.
Reopening for Makaravilakku
After a short closure, the temple reopens at 5 pm on Wednesday 30 December 2026 for the Makaravilakku festival. Many swamis who could not travel in the Mandala phase plan their trip for this window.
Makaravilakku and the close of the season
Makaravilakku is on Thursday 14 January 2027, which is Makara Sankranti. It draws very heavy crowds; in 2026 there were movement restrictions and lower booking caps, and the 2027 arrangements will be announced by TDB and the police. We have written a separate Makaravilakku 2027 guide for anyone planning to be there. The season ends and the temple closes on Wednesday 20 January 2027.
How Sabarimala opens in the rest of the year
Outside the big season, the temple opens on the evening before the first day of each Malayalam month and stays open for about five days. It also opens for Vishu (in Medam, mid-April), the temple festival or Utsavam (March–April), and Onam (August–September). TDB announces the exact dates each time, so check close to your travel.
Daily darshan timings
Timings change by season, and the Board announces them. To give you an idea, during the Thulam 2026 opening the reported schedule was Nirmalya darshan and abhishekam at 5 am, Neyyabhishekam and Ushapooja from 5:30 am, closing at 1 pm and reopening at 4 pm, Deeparadhana at 6:30 pm, then Padi pooja and Harivarasanam before the temple closes for the night. In the Mandala season the hours are longer. In the 2024 season, for example, the temple opened at 3 am and Harivarasanam was around 10:50 pm. Treat these as examples, not this season's timetable, and check TDB for current timings.
Planning around the crowds
This part is not from any notice; it is plain common sense. Weekdays are generally easier than weekends and holidays. The days just before Mandala Pooja and the days around Makaravilakku draw the heaviest crowds, so if you are flexible, avoid them. Groups with elders or children are usually more comfortable in the earlier weeks of the Mandala phase.
Whatever date you choose, the deciding factor is your Virtual-Q booking. Booking is mandatory for every pilgrim, and quotas fill fast in the peak weeks. Our step-by-step Sabarimala Virtual-Q booking guide explains how to do it, and once the date is fixed, the travel guide to reach Sabarimala will help you plan the journey.
Till then, keep the evening Ayyappa Sharanu Gosha going at home. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.
Sources
- Travancore Devaswom Board – travancoredevaswomboard.org
- Travancore Devaswom Board – sabarimalaonline.org (Virtual-Q guidelines & FAQ)
- Sabarimala Uptodate (SAYSS) news, 23 Sep 2026
- Onmanorama (Malayala Manorama) news reports 2024–2026
Dates and rules are announced by the Travancore Devaswom Board; please confirm on sabarimalaonline.org before you travel.