APSRTC Announces Special Buses for Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season; Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Bus Services Expected
 |
| Image for Representation |
Sabarimala pilgrimage preparations are gathering momentum across South India, with large numbers of Ayyappa devotees beginning their Mandala Deeksha. The Sabarimala temple will open on November 16 at 5 pm for the Mandala pilgrimage, with devotees being permitted darshan from the following day. The Mandala Pooja will conclude on December 27, marking the end of the Mandala season. The pilgrimage season will continue through the Makaravilakku festival, with the Makaravilakku scheduled to be observed on January 14, 2027.
During the Mandala season, thousands of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are expected to travel to Sabarimala.
To facilitate the pilgrimage, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has introduced special bus services to Sabarimala on a Special Hire basis. The facility is aimed at providing convenient and safer transportation for Ayyappa devotees travelling in groups.
APSRTC has also announced free travel for seven members accompanying a group, including cooks and other helpers, allowing devotees to prepare food during the pilgrimage.
Guruswamis or agents who book special buses for a minimum period of five days will be eligible for a commission of ₹2,000, according to APSRTC.
Considering the difficult and winding ghat roads on the route to Sabarimala, APSRTC has placed emphasis on safe travel. The special buses will also be equipped with modern audio and video facilities.
A total of nine types of buses, ranging from Amaravati AC to Palle Velugu, are included in the special-hire package. The applicable kilometre-based rates are:
Amaravati AC: ₹120 per km
Indra AC: ₹79 per km
Star Liner: ₹66 per km
Express: ₹62 per km
Sapthagiri Express: ₹62 per km
Ultra Palle Velugu: ₹62 per km
Ultra Deluxe: ₹61 per km
Super Luxury: ₹57 per km
Palle Velugu: ₹52 per km
Ayyappa devotees and Guruswamis wishing to avail themselves of the APSRTC special services have been advised to contact the nearest APSRTC depot authorities for bookings and further details.
Meanwhile, special bus services are also expected to be introduced from Tamil Nadu to facilitate devotees travelling to Sabarimala. The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) is expected to operate special services between November and January, helping pilgrims from Tamil Nadu travel to the hill shrine with greater convenience during the pilgrimage season.
In Karnataka, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is also expected to announce special bus services from Bengaluru to Nilakkal, the base point for pilgrims travelling onward to Pampa and Sabarimala. The proposed service is aimed at providing convenient transportation for devotees travelling from Bengaluru and surrounding areas to the Sabarimala pilgrimage centre in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.
With special services being planned or introduced by transport corporations in multiple southern states, devotees travelling to Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season are expected to have more dedicated public transport options.
Telangana is also expected to announce special bus services for Sabarimala pilgrimage groups, particularly to facilitate the travel of Ayyappa devotees travelling in groups from the state. Further details regarding the routes, schedules and booking arrangements are expected to be announced by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC).
Book APSRTC Buses on Hire for Sabarimala at lower fares#apsrtc #swachhandhra pic.twitter.com/q0IL5amEHk
— APSRTC (@apsrtc) October 1, 2026