Sabarimala Temple to Open on March 14 for Meena Month Pooja; Annual Festival Begins March 22
For the Meena month (Meenamasa) poojas, the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple will be opened on March 14 at 5:00 PM. In the presence of Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanar, the Melshanthi Prasad E. D. will ceremonially open the sanctum sanctorum and light the sacred lamp.
Following this, the Malikappuram shrine will be opened by Malikappuram Melshanti M.G. Manu Namboothiri.
On the first day of the Meenam month (March 15), the sanctum sanctorum will open at 5:00 AM for devotees to have darshan.
From the first day of Meenam onwards, rituals such as Kalabhabhishekam and Padipooja will be performed. After the completion of the Meenam month poojas, the sanctum sanctorum will be closed on March 19 at 10:00 PM.
For the annual Sabarimala Temple Festival, the sanctum sanctorum will reopen on March 22 at 5:00 PM. The ceremonial Kodiyettu (flag hoisting) marking the beginning of the festival will take place on March 23 between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM, during the auspicious muhurtham.
From March 24 to March 31, the ritual Utsava Bali will be conducted daily after the noon pooja.
The Pallivetta ritual, scheduled on March 31, is expected to draw a large number of devotees. Crowd-control restrictions may be implemented on this day to regulate the flow of pilgrims and ensure safety.
The Arattu ceremony will be held at Pamba River on April 1. On that day, at 9:00 AM, the Arattu procession will commence from Sabarimala Sannidhanam to Pamba. After the sacred bath ceremony, the procession will return to Sannidhanam, and the sanctum sanctorum will be closed at 10:00 PM.
The ten-day Painkuni Festival is celebrated simultaneously at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Sabarimala Temple with Kodiyettu, Pallivetta, and Arattu rituals.
Devotees wishing to have darshan at Sabarimala Temple must secure a slot through the Virtual Queue system via [www.sabarimalaonline.org].
Devotees intending to stay at Sannidhanam can book accommodation through the Travancore Devaswom Board website: [www.onlinetdb.com].
Key Rituals During Monthly Pooja and Timings
During the Monthly pooja, several important rituals are conducted at Sabarimala. These include:
Neyyabhishekam, Padi Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja, Pushpabhishekam, usha pooja, ucha pooja.
Temple timings for the monthly poojas at Sabarimala Temple are from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Rituals such as Harivarasanam and Padi Pooja will also be conducted. New reforms regarding Padi Pooja bookings are expected to be introduced soon.
Travel and Environmental and Safety Guidelines
Eco-Friendly Practices: The Sabarimala pilgrimage is within a protected forest area, and devotees are urged to avoid plastic and maintain cleanliness. The Devaswom Board has implemented strict waste management protocols.
Health Precautions: Pilgrims should carry necessary medications and stay hydrated during the trek. Medical facilities are available at Pamba and Sannidhanam.
Security Measures: Enhanced security checks are in place, including bag scanning and identity verification. Pilgrims must carry valid ID and their virtual queue booking confirmation
Women’s Entry at Sabarimala: Simple Guide
The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple follows a special tradition where women between 10 and 50 years old are gently requested not to visit. This is because Lord Ayyappa, the deity of the temple, is worshipped as a celibate god. Women under 10 or over 50 are wholeheartedly welcome to come for darshan and join in the temple’s prayers and rituals. This practice respects the temple’s age-old customs while opening its doors to many devotees.
Irumudikettu: No Polythene In Irumudi
devotees visiting Sabarimala are strictly prohibited from using polythene bags in or around the irumudi bundle,
» As per the kerala high court order, polythene materials are banned to preserve the sanctity and ecology of the sacred hill.
» Strict vigilance will be maintained at: sannidhanam - pamba - nilakkal forest trekking routes.
» Offenders may be subject to confiscation or penalty.
» Use Original Kumkum
» Use traditional cloth bags or eco-friendly containers, Let's protect ayyappa's abode and the forest hertiage.