Sabarimala to Open on October 17 for Thulam Masa Pooja; Virtual-Q Mandatory, Pilgrim Facilities
Sabarimala: The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple will open at 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 17, for the Thulam Masa Pooja.
Virtual Queue darshan tickets and accommodation bookings for the Thulam Masa Pooja are expected to be released in the first week of October.
On the opening day, in the presence of Thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan, Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri will open the sanctum sanctorum and light the ceremonial lamp. He will then descend the Pathinettam Padi along with Keezhsanthi B. Ganesh Prasad and light the sacred fire in the homa kundam at the lower temple courtyard.
Following the opening of the Sabarimala shrine, Malikappuram Melsanthi M.G. Manu Namboothiri will open the Malikapurathamma Temple.
No special poojas will be conducted on the opening day. The temple will reopen for darshan at 5:00 AM on Sunday, October 18, marking the beginning of the Thulam Masa Pooja.
The day's rituals will begin with Nirmalya Darshan and Abhishekam at 5:00 AM. Ganapathi Homam will be performed at the eastern mandapam under the guidance of the Thantri. Neyyabhishekam, Ashtabhishekam and Ushapooja will follow from 5:30 AM.
At the Malikappuram Temple, Bhagavathi Seva and Ganapathi Homam will be conducted under the guidance of Malikappuram Melsanthi M.G. Manu Namboothiri.
At Sannidhanam, Kalabhabhishekam and Uchapooja will be conducted, after which the temple will close at 1:00 PM. The shrine will reopen at 4:00 PM. Deeparadhana will be held at 6:30 PM, followed by Padi Pooja, Pushabhishekam and Athazha Pooja.
Padi Pooja is generally conducted at Sannidhanam at 6:00 PM every evening, except on temple opening days.
The temple will remain open until 10:00 PM on October 22, following the completion of the Thulam Masa Pooja.
Pilgrims planning to visit Sabarimala for the Kanni Masa pooja must book their darshan through the Virtual Queue facility. All official links for Virtual Q, Pooja Bookings, accommodation and other Sabarimala services are available at www.sabarimalaupdate.in., along with booking guidance and details of the requirements for devotees.
Pilgrims are advised to carry raincoats and umbrellas, as rainfall may occur during their visit to Sabarimala.
Aravana Supply Arrangements
Amid reports of an Aravana shortage in September, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is taking steps to ensure an uninterrupted supply of Aravana to devotees during the October Thulam Masa Pooja. The Board is working to partially resume production at the Aravana plant and increase output ahead of the upcoming pooja days.
After the Thulam Masa Pooja, the TDB plans to further increase the plant's production capacity to 3.5 lakh tins per day and build a reserve stock of 70 lakh Aravana tins ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The capacity expansion is aimed at preventing a repeat of the shortage, as daily demand for Aravana can rise substantially during the peak pilgrimage period.
KSRTC Special Services for Pilgrims
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will operate special services to facilitate the movement of Ayyappa devotees during the Thulam Masa Pooja.
The last direct KSRTC bus from Chengannur to Pampa will depart at 4:00 PM on October 22, the final day of the Thulam Masa Pooja. However, KSRTC bus services from Pampa to Chengannur will be available 24 hours a day, ensuring convenient return travel for pilgrims.
Room Check-in Process at Sannidhanam
Pilgrims who have reserved accommodation at Sannidhanam must first report to the Accommodation Centre to complete the check-in formalities. After verification, the staff will provide details of the allotted accommodation block and room number.
Pilgrims must then proceed to the assigned accommodation building, where the room keys will be handed over. Sleeping mats and pillows are available for ₹50 per person, while bed sheets can be obtained for ₹100.
All items issued to pilgrims, including sleeping mats, pillows and bed sheets, must be returned to the allotted accommodation building before check-out.
After vacating the room, pilgrims must complete the check-out formalities at the Accommodation Centre. The refundable caution deposit paid at the time of booking will be processed only after the check-out procedure is completed.