Sabarimala Ayyappa

Lord Ayyappa’s hill shrine in the Periyar tiger reserve, reached on foot from Pamba (about 5 km uphill). Most pilgrims observe a 41-day vratham and carry the irumudi.

Plan this pilgrimage (2 days)Official booking site ↗

Best time to go

The temple opens for the Mandala–Makaravilakku season (mid-November to mid-January) and for the first days of each Malayalam month.

Festivals (expect crowds)

Mandala Puja (December)
Makaravilakku (around 14–15 January)

Darshan & practical tips

Book a virtual-queue slot online before you travel — it is required in season.
Chengannur and Kottayam are the usual railway stations; KSRTC runs buses to Pamba.
Carry little — plastic is banned on the trek and in the forest.

Timings, dress codes and booking rules change — confirm on the official temple or trust site before you travel.

How to reach Sabarimala

Train: Chengannur (CNGR) — 67 km · Tiruvalla (TRVL) — 69 km · Cheriyanad (CYN) — 72 km
Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) — 134 km · Cochin International Airport (COK) — 136 km
Road: Munnar ~91 km · Kollam ~99 km · Alappuzha ~102 km · Kodaikanal ~125 km · Thiruvananthapuram ~128 km · Kochi ~131 km

Suggested 2-day plan

Day 1: Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple → Valliyamkavu Sree Devi Temple → Malayalappuzha Bhagavathy Temple
Day 2: Achankovil Sri Dharmasastha Temple → Thirumalai Kumaraswamy Temple → Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Make it my trip — add stays, trains and tripmates

Temples near Sabarimala

Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~0 km · Must-see
Valliyamkavu Sree Devi Temple · temple · Idukki · ~21 km · Highly rated · Must-see
Mangaladevi Temple · temple · Theni · ~30 km · Must-see
Malayalappuzha Bhagavathy Temple · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~41 km · Highly rated · Must-see
Achankovil Sri Dharmasastha Temple · temple · Kollam · ~48 km · Highly rated · Must-see
Puthiyakavu Devi Temple · temple · Kottayam · ~48 km · Must-see
Aaluvamkudi Sree Mahadevar Temple · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~25 km · Well liked
Kailasagiri Umamaheshwara Temple · temple · Idukki · ~29 km · Highly rated
Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple · temple · Idukki · ~30 km · Highly rated
Malayalapuzha Devi Temple · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~41 km
Lord Ganesha Statue · temple · Idukki · ~42 km · Highly rated
Valamchuzhy Bhadrakali Temple · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~46 km · Well liked
Chirakkadavu Sree Mahadeva Temple · temple · Kottayam · ~46 km · Highly rated
Arulmigu Koodara Paarai Sri.Bala Subramania Swamy Malai Kovil, Sivagiri · temple · Tenkasi · ~50 km · Well liked
Karuppaswami · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~0 km
Malikkappuram · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~0 km
Sharamkuthi · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~1 km
Sabaripeedam · temple · Pathanamthitta · ~2 km

Other places to see nearby

Ponnambalamedu · viewpoint · Pathanamthitta · ~6 km · Must-see
Periyar National Park · sanctuary · Idukki · ~21 km · Well liked · Must-see
Pattumala Velankanni Matha Church · church · Idukki · ~21 km · Highly rated · Must-see
Valanjanganam Water Falls · waterfall · Idukki · ~23 km · Well liked · Must-see
Ammachi Kottaram · attraction · Idukki · ~24 km · Must-see
Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls · waterfall · Pathanamthitta · ~28 km · Well liked · Must-see
Thangalpara · attraction · Kottayam · ~40 km · Highly rated · Must-see
Devarmalai · viewpoint · Pathanamthitta · ~41 km · Must-see
Konni Ecotourism - Elephant Camp · sanctuary · Pathanamthitta · ~43 km · Must-see
Konni Eco-Tourism Centre · attraction · Pathanamthitta · ~43 km · Well liked · Must-see
Karikadu View Point · viewpoint · Kottayam · ~45 km · Well liked · Must-see
Kotta Malai · viewpoint · Idukki · ~46 km · Must-see
Marmala Waterfalls · waterfall · Kottayam · ~50 km · Highly rated · Must-see
Theni Tourism · attraction · Theni · ~50 km · Well liked · Must-see
Kumbhavurutty Falls · waterfall · Pathanamthitta · ~50 km · Well liked · Must-see

Frequently asked

What is the best time to visit Sabarimala Ayyappa?