Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Sabarimala stands majestically at 3,000 feet above sea level in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. This sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa welcomes millions of devotees annually, making it one of India’s most visited pilgrimage destinations. The temple is the final destination of the Sabarimala Yatra, a spiritual journey where male devotees observe a strict 41-day vratam (austerity) that includes celibacy, a vegetarian diet, barefoot walking, and prayers. Devotees undertake this yatra not just for blessings, but to purify their mind and soul, seek forgiveness, and surrender their ego through discipline and devotion.
So if you’re also planning a pilgrimage to Sabarimala? You should know that the sacred Sabarimala temple now offers a hassle-free online ticket booking to make pilgrims journey smoother than ever before. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about sabarimala online darshan booking, including Virtual Q registration, temple timings and pooja services with cost.
The Sabarimala Pilgrim Management System (SPMS) is a digital platform launched by the Travancore Devaswom Board to manage the massive influx of devotees. This system allows pilgrims to book sabarimala darshan tickets online in advance, ensuring better crowd management and a more organized darshan experience.
The Sabarimala Temple opens early at 3:00 AM with the Nirmalyam ritual and closes by 11:00 PM after Harivarasanam. The main poojas include Neyyabhishekam (from 3:30 AM to 11:00 AM), Ucha Pooja at 12:30 PM, and Deeparadhana in the evening at 6:30 PM. The temple remains closed between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM for daily preparations. Here’s a look at the full schedule for each day.
Events | Time |
Nirmalyam (Temple Opening Ceremony) | 3:00 AM |
Neyyabhishekam | 3:30 – 7:00 AM |
Usha Pooja | 7:30 AM |
Deeparadhana | 6:30 PM |
Harivarasanam & Temple Closing | 11:00 PM |
One must complete the registration process before booking their sabarimala darshan tickets online. Here’s the step-by-step registration process:
Go to sabarimalaonline.org and click on the “Register” button located just below the login form.
Upload a recent passport-sized photo and enter your personal details including full name followed by your date of birth, gender, mobile number, and a valid email ID. You’ll also need to create a strong password to complete this step.
The sabarimala online q booking process is completely free and easy to follow:
Use your registered mobile number or email and password to log in to the Travancore Devaswom Board account, then navigate to the main dashboard.
From the dashboard, click on the “Virtual Queue Booking” option to start your Sabarimala darshan slot reservation.
Select your preferred Sabarimala darshan date and route, then view the available time slots to plan your visit.
Enter the required details for each pilgrim—name, age, and ID—up to a maximum of 5 people, ensuring all meet the age eligibility criteria.
Double-check all pilgrim details and confirm your booking; no payment is required as the Virtual Q service is completely free.
Once confirmed, you’ll receive an SMS and email with your Virtual Q coupon—download or print it and save your booking reference number.
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Sabarimala temple offers various sacred pooja rituals that devotees can participate in to seek Lord Ayyappa’s blessings. Each pooja has its own spiritual importance and is performed at a fixed time during the day according to temple historical traditions.
Type of Pooja | Cost (₹) | Spiritual Significance |
Neyyabhishekam | ₹10 | Sacred ghee offering for purification and devotion |
Usha Pooja | ₹1,000 | Morning prayer service for peace and prosperity |
Ucha Pooja | ₹2,500 | Elaborate noon ritual with multiple offerings |
Ashtabhishekam | ₹5,000 | Eight-item abhishekam for wish fulfillment |
Pushpabhishekam | ₹10,000 | Flower offering ceremony for spiritual elevation |
Kalabhabhishekam | ₹10,000 | Sandalwood paste offering for tranquility |
Laksharchana | ₹10,000 | 100,000 name chanting for divine blessings |
Sahasra Kalasam | ₹50,000 | 1000 kalasam offering for merit |
Padi Pooja | ₹75,000 | Sacred 18 steps pooja for ultimate blessings |
Let’s understand each ritual in detail:
1. Neyyabhishekam is the most popular offering where sacred ghee is poured over the deity. This simple yet powerful ritual symbolizes purification and devotion. It is performed in the morning between 4:00 am to 1:00 pm.
2. Usha Pooja is the morning prayer service performed during the early hours when the temple opens. This auspicious timing is believed to bring peace and prosperity to the devotee’s life. The pooja includes special prayers, offerings, and aarti performed by the temple priests during special days in the evening.
3. Ucha Pooja is the noon prayer that takes place during the peak hours of the day. This elaborate ritual involves multiple offerings including flowers, fruits, and traditional items that are specially prepared for Lord Ayyappa.
4. Ashtabhishekam is a comprehensive abhishekam ceremony using eight different sacred substances including milk, honey, ghee, curd, coconut water, tender coconut, sugarcane juice, and panchamritham. This detailed ritual is considered highly auspicious and is believed to fulfill devotees’ wishes.
5. Pushpabhishekam is an elaborate flower offering ceremony where the deity is adorned with various fragrant flowers. This beautiful ritual creates a divine atmosphere and is often chosen by devotees seeking spiritual elevation and mental peace.
6. Kalabhabhishekam involves offering sandalwood paste to the deity. Sandalwood is considered sacred in Hindu traditions and this ritual is believed to bring cooling effects and spiritual tranquility to the devotee’s life.
7. Laksharchana is the chanting of 100,000 sacred names of Lord Ayyappa. This powerful mantra repetition is performed by qualified priests and is considered one of the most spiritually potent offerings for seeking divine blessings.
8. Padi Pooja is one of the most sacred and visually striking rituals at Sabarimala, performed to honour the 18 holy steps (Pathinettam Padi) that hold deep spiritual significance. Conducted in the evening on important days, this ceremony is led by the Tantri (chief priest) and includes the decoration of the steps with flowers, sacred cloth, and oil lamps, creating a divine and glowing atmosphere. This elaborate ritual concludes with a traditional aarathi, where lighted lamps are waved in reverence.
9. Sahasra Kalasam involves offering 1000 kalasams (sacred vessels) filled with holy water and other sacred substances. This grand ritual is usually performed during special occasions and is considered highly meritorious.
Along with sabarimala online darshan ticket booking, you can also book various pooja services online through the official kerala govt. portal. The online pooja booking system ensures that your spiritual offerings are confirmed and performed at the scheduled time.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to sabarimala.kerala.gov.in and click on “Pooja Booking”. This will redirect you to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) portal.
Step 2: Login or Register
Login with your username and password. New users can quickly sign up with basic details to access the booking dashboard.
Step 3: Select Pooja Service
Click on “Pooja Services” or “Special Services” from the menu to view all available rituals with prices, timings, and descriptions.
Step 4: Choose Pooja & Date
Select the pooja that fits your spiritual needs and pick a suitable date and time slot based on availability.
Step 5: Make Payment
Complete the booking using secure payment options e.g., UPI, net banking, or cards. Charges vary by pooja type.
Step 6: Get Confirmation
After successful payment, you’ll receive a confirmation via SMS and email with booking ID and collection instructions.
Step 7: Collect Prasadam
On the scheduled day, visit the prasadam counter with your ID proof and booking receipt to collect your offering.
Along with poojas, devotees can also book various prasadam items that are specially prepared in the Sabarimala temple kitchen using traditional methods and sacred ingredients.
Prasadam Item | Cost (Inr) | Spiritual Benefits |
Aravana | ₹80 | Most sacred prasadam, brings divine blessings |
Appam | ₹40 | Traditional sweet offering for devotion |
Panchamritham | ₹100 | Five sacred ingredients for purification |
Vella Nivedyam | ₹20 | Simple offering representing pure devotion |
The best time to visit Sabarimala is during the peak pilgrimage season from November to January, especially during the Mandala Pooja (mid-November to December) and Makaravilakku festival on January 14th, when the temple attracts the largest number of devotees. Apart from the peak season, the temple also opens for Vishu in April (for 5 days) and on the first day of every Malayalam month. The monsoon season (June to September) is not ideal, as the temple remains closed and trekking becomes difficult. Winter months offer pleasant weather, making it the most suitable time for both darshan and the forest trek, while summers can be hot and humid.
Pilgrims visiting Sabarimala can book comfortable and affordable stays through the official online booking system, which includes Devaswom-managed guest houses and dharamshalas at key locations like Pampa, Nilakkal, and Sannidhanam. These facilities offer basic but clean amenities, ideal for devotees seeking convenience and spiritual simplicity. Dharamshalas near Sannidhanam and Pampa fill up quickly, so advance booking is highly recommended, especially during the Mandala and Makaravilakku seasons. For those looking for nearby town stays, Pathanamthitta offers a mix of government lodges and private hotels, while Erumely provides budget options for pilgrims starting their traditional trek. Pandalam, known for its historic link to Lord Ayyappa, also has good accommodation choices and a peaceful atmosphere.
The town Sabarimala is well connected with all major modes of transport.
The nearest airports to Sabarimala are Cochin International Airport (160 km) and Thiruvananthapuram Airport (175 km). Both airports are well-connected with regular flights from major Indian cities. From the airport, pilgrims can hire taxis or board buses to reach Pampa, the base camp for Sabarimala.
The closest railway stations are Chengannur (65 km) and Kottayam (85 km), both offering good connectivity to cities across India. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and taxis are easily available from these stations to take you to Nilakkal or Pampa.
Sabarimala can be accessed by road up to Pampa, which is the base camp. From Pampa, devotees must undertake a 5 km uphill trek to reach the temple. KSRTC operates regular bus services from major Kerala cities. Private vehicles are allowed only up to Nilakkal, from where a chain bus service runs frequently to Pampa.
Yes, Sabarimala Virtual Q booking is completely free. No payment is required for darshan booking. Only pooja services require payment, ranging from ₹10 for Neyyabhishekam to ₹75,000 for Padi Pooja.
Sabarimala temple is open during specific periods: Mandala season (mid-November to December), Makaravilakku (January 14th and surrounding week), Vishu (April – 5 days), and the first day of each Malayalam month. The temple remains closed during monsoon season (June-September).
If you lose your darshan ticket confirmation, simply login to your account on travancoredevaswoms.org and download the confirmation again from the “My Bookings” section. You can also receive the confirmation via SMS and email. Always carry a printout or digital copy during your temple visit.
You can cancel your Sabarimala Virtual Q booking up to one day before your darshan date. However, rescheduling is not allowed – you must cancel the existing booking and make a new one.
Sabarimala pooja services cost varies: Neyyabhishekam (₹10), Usha Pooja (₹1,000), Ucha Pooja (₹2,500), Ashtabhishekam (₹5,000), Pushpabhishekam (₹10,000), Laksharchana (₹10,000), Padi Pooja (₹75,000), and Sahasra Kalasam (₹50,000). Prasadam options include Aravana (₹80), Appam (₹40), and Panchamritham (₹100).
To reach Sabarimala, you can fly to Kochi (160 km) or Thiruvananthapuram (175 km) and then take a taxi or KSRTC bus to Pampa, the temple’s base camp. If you’re coming by train, Chengannur (65 km) and Kottayam (85 km) are the nearest stations with good connectivity. From there, buses or cabs will take you to Nilakkal, where you’ll board a shuttle to Pampa. The last part of the journey is a 5 km uphill trek from Pampa to the temple, which many devotees consider a meaningful part of the pilgrimage.
Prohibited items at Sabarimala include: mobile phones (not allowed inside temple premises), weapons and explosives, alcohol and tobacco products, leather items, and non-vegetarian food. Pilgrims must follow a strict dress code and maintain celibacy during the 41-day vratham period.
Sabarimala temple opens at 3:00 AM with Nirmalyam ceremony. Key timings include: Usha Pooja (7:30 AM), Ucha Pooja (12:30 PM), Deeparadhana (6:30 PM), and Athazha Pooja (9:30 PM). The temple closes at 11:00 PM after Harivarasanam. The sanctum closes from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM daily.
Phone: (+91) 8077146567 | 7455856399
Email: info@indiathrills.com
