Sabarimala Chingam Masa Pooja, Onam: Special KSRTC Bus Services to Pampa from August 16
Sabarimala: The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple will open at 5:00 PM on August 16 for the monthly Chingam Masa pooja, with special rituals scheduled during the five-day opening.
At 5:00 PM, in the presence of Thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan, Melsanthi Prasad E.D. will open the sanctum sanctorum and light the ceremonial lamp. The sacred fire ritual will then be performed at the Aazhi below the revered Pathinettam Padi (18 holy steps). The Malikappuram shrine will subsequently be opened by Malikappuram Melsanthi M.G. Manu Namboothiri.
The main Chingam Masa pooja will be held on August 17 with special rituals. The temple will remain open until 10:00 PM on August 21.
After the Chingam Masa pooja, the temple will close and reopen at 5:00 PM on August 24 for the Onam celebrations. Onam will be celebrated on August 26 with special rituals, and the shrine will remain open until 10:00 PM on August 28.
Virtual Queue Booking Mandatory
Devotees planning to visit Sabarimala during either the Chingam Masa pooja or the Onam celebrations must reserve a Virtual Queue slot in advance.
Darshan slots can be booked through the Sabarimala Online portal at sabarimalaonline.org.
The Padi Pooja will be conducted at 6:00 PM every evening at Sannidhanam, except on temple opening days.
KSRTC Arranges Special Services
To ensure safe and convenient travel for Ayyappa devotees, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has made extensive arrangements in connection with the Chingam Masa pooja and Onam celebrations.
From August 16 to 28, special services will be operated to and from Pampa from various KSRTC units. Services to Pampa will be available according to demand from major centres including Thiruvananthapuram, Chengannur, Pathanamthitta, Kottarakkara, Erumeli and Punalur.
Considering the expected rush of devotees arriving by train at Chengannur Railway Station, KSRTC has made arrangements to operate services on the Chengannur Railway Station–Pampa route at any time based on demand. Services from Pampa to Chengannur will also be operated according to passenger requirements.
The Nilakkal–Pampa chain services have also been expanded to facilitate the movement of Sabarimala pilgrims.
KSRTC has also arranged a facility to pre-book buses from the Thiruvananthapuram Central Depot based on passenger demand. Additional services will be arranged from nearby KSRTC units on days when the pilgrim rush increases.
Contact Numbers
For further information and assistance, devotees can contact the respective KSRTC units or the 24-hour control room:
· KSRTC Pampa: 0473 520 3445, 94970 24092
· KSRTC Chengannur: 91889 33750
· KSRTC Pathanamthitta: 91889 33744
· KSRTC Control Room (24 hours): 94470 71021, 0471 246 3799