Padi Pooja Begins Today at Sabarimala; Neyyabhishekam to Be Performed Only Till January 18; Know More
The sacred Padi Puja, one of the most important rituals of the Sabarimala Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, commenced on January 16. The ritual is performed at the eighteen sacred steps (Pathinettam Padi) that devotees ascend after observing strict fasting and penance to have darshan of Lord Ayyappa.
The Padi Puja involves the offering of flowers, silk garments, and lamps at the holy steps. The ceremony begins at 6.45 pm, following the Deeparadhana, and lasts for about an hour. During this time, devotees are not permitted inside the temple. The puja is conducted by Thantri Kantarar Mahesh Mohan and Melshanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri.
Ceremonies at Sabarimala on January 16, 2026
The temple opens at 3.00 am, with rituals scheduled as follows:
Nirmalayam and Abhishekam: 3.00 am to 3.30 am
Ganapathi Homam: from 3.20 am
Neyyabhishekam: 3.30 am to 11.00 am
Usha Pooja: 7.30 am to 8.00 am
Kalasham and Kalabham: 11.30 am to 12.00 noon
Afternoon Pooja: 12.00 noon
Temple Closing: 1.00 pm
The temple reopens at 3.00 pm.
Deeparadhana: 6.30 pm
Padi Puja: from 6.45 pm
Dinner Pooja: 8.30 pm
Darshan is available from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. The day concludes with the chanting of Harivarasanam at 10.50 pm, followed by temple closing at 11.00 pm.
Important Announcements for Devotees
As part of the Makaravilakku festival, spot booking counters for Sabarimala darshan will function until January 19, the last day on which devotees are allowed to have darshan. Spot booking facilities are available at Pampa, Nilakkal, and Erumeli.
Virtual Queue booking will also remain open until January 19. Devotees can have darshan of Lord Ayyappa adorned with the sacred Thiruvabharanam until January 17
Sabarimala temple will remain open for devotees until January 19, 2026, and darshan will conclude at 10.00 pm on that day.
Neyyabhishekam will be performed only until 9.00 am on January 18, 2026 (Sunday).
Neyyabhishekam will not be performed on January 19, 2026 (Monday).
On January 19, the Guruthi ritual will be performed in the Malikappuram area. The Mandala–Makaravilakku festival will conclude on January 20, following the darshan by the representative of the Pandalam Landlord Family.
As part of a long-standing tradition, the keys of the temple and the bag containing the temple’s offerings (Money/Tax/Revenue) are ceremonially handed over to the Pandalam family (Zamindar). Until the British takeover, the temple offerings like silver,gold,money etc.. were taken away by this family, in accordance with the administrative and custodial practices prevalent during that period.
Historically, the hill clans were the original custodians of the temple. However, amid fears of British intervention and in an effort to recover the mounting debts of the Travancore kingdom, revenue responsibilities were entrusted to the Pandalam family. When the debts could not be cleared, the temple eventually came under British control, during which period the Pandalam family played a key intermediary role throughout the colonial era.