When does the Sabarimala season start?

On Vrischikam 1, mid-November, and it runs forty-one days to Mandala Pooja in late December. Pilgrims take the mala at the start and keep a vratham for the whole period, black clothing, celibacy, sattvik food, no footwear, before making the trek. The second phase ends at Makaravilakku in mid-January.

Mandalakala Pooja

Malayalam

मंडलकाल पूजा · મંડલકાલ પૂજા

Next date

27 December 2026

Sunday · Krishna Chaturthi

Tithi begins08:05 PM · 26 Dec

Tithi ends05:13 PM

Full panchang for this day

About

End of the 41-day Mandala period at Sabarimala. Grand puja marks the culmination of the Mandala Vratham.

Falls on: Vrischikam 1 (mid-November) for 41 days, to Mandala Pooja around 26 to 27 December

What it is

The 41-day Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Devotees take the mala on the opening day and keep a vratham, black or blue clothes, celibacy, no shaving, sattvik food, no footwear, for the duration, then trek to the shrine carrying the irumudi kettu. Mandala Pooja closes the first phase; Makaravilakku in January closes the second.

Food

Strictly sattvik through the vratham. Aravana payasam as prasad.

Common questions

When does the Sabarimala season start?: On Vrischikam 1, mid-November, and it runs forty-one days to Mandala Pooja in late December. Pilgrims take the mala at the start and keep a vratham for the whole period, black clothing, celibacy, sattvik food, no footwear, before making the trek. The second phase ends at Makaravilakku in mid-January.

2026

Dec27SunSundayNextKrishna ChaturthiTithi begins08:05 PM · 26 DecTithi ends05:13 PM

2027

Dec27MonMondayKrishna AmavasyaTithi begins12:23 AMTithi ends01:42 AM · 28 Dec