Sabarimala is the great pilgrimage of Kerala, and one of the largest in the world — millions of devotees a year climb to the forest hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa (Dharmasastha), set at around 1,260 m deep in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is not a casual sightseeing temple: reaching it is a disciplined act of faith, from weeks of preparation to a forest trek and a climb up eighteen sacred steps. This guide explains how the pilgrimage works, told with respect for the tradition.
The season
The temple is not open year-round for the main pilgrimage. The great season is Mandalam–Makaravilakku, running roughly from mid-November to mid-January: the Mandala Pooja period, followed by Makaravilakku around mid-January, the pilgrimage’s climax. The temple also opens for shorter periods at the start of each Malayalam month and on certain festivals. Confirm the current opening dates before planning, as they follow the traditional calendar.
The 41-day vratham and the irumudi
Traditionally, a pilgrim observes a 41-day vratham — a penance of simple living, abstinence and devotion — before the journey, wearing dark clothing and a tulsi or rudraksha mala. At the journey’s start the pilgrim prepares the irumudi, the two-part cloth bundle carried on the head, holding the offerings for Ayyappa. Only a pilgrim carrying the irumudi may climb the Pathinettam Padi, the eighteen holy steps that lead to the sanctum.
The trek from Pamba
The road ends at Pamba, in the river valley below the shrine; from there pilgrims continue on foot up through the forest to the sannidhanam (the temple complex). The traditional, longer forest route begins far away at Erumely. The paths can be steep and crowded in peak season, so pilgrims are advised to be reasonably fit, carry water, and pace themselves.
Customs and who may enter
Sabarimala has strong customs, including the 41-day penance and simple dress. One tradition has been much discussed: by long-standing practice the temple did not admit women of menstruating age (roughly 10–50). This became the subject of a major legal case — in 2018 the Supreme Court held the exclusion unconstitutional, but the matter was then referred to a larger bench, and as of 2026 it remains before the courts and unresolved on the ground. Women pilgrims should check the current official position before planning a visit.
- The main pilgrimage runs about mid-November to mid-January (Mandalam–Makaravilakku); confirm current dates, which follow the traditional calendar.
- Reaching the shrine means a forest trek on foot from Pamba — come reasonably fit, carry water and pace yourself.
- The 41-day vratham and the irumudi bundle are central customs; only irumudi-carrying pilgrims climb the eighteen steps.
- Entry norms for women of menstruating age have been legally contested and remain unresolved — check the current official position first.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sabarimala pilgrimage season?
The main season is Mandalam–Makaravilakku, roughly mid-November to mid-January, with Makaravilakku around mid-January as its climax. The temple also opens briefly at the start of each Malayalam month; confirm current dates, which follow the traditional calendar.
What is the 41-day vratham?
A 41-day penance a Sabarimala pilgrim traditionally observes before the journey — simple living, abstinence and devotion, wearing dark clothing and a sacred mala — as spiritual preparation to visit Lord Ayyappa.
Can women visit Sabarimala?
By long tradition the temple did not admit women of menstruating age (about 10–50). The Supreme Court held this unconstitutional in 2018, but the matter was referred to a larger bench and, as of 2026, remains legally unresolved on the ground — so women should check the current official position before planning a visit.