Best Time To Visit Sabarimala

Winter is the peak pilgrimage season in Sabarimala, with the most devotee influx. With the mercury dropping between 18°C and 25°C, the weather conditions are ideal for pilgrims – there is not much rain either. It does get a bit windy and cold, so take along a jacket. Keep in mind that you cannot wear jackets or sweaters inside the temple, though. The Pamba River is also nail-bitingly cold. The forest looks stunning in winter, with a fine layer of fog and mist that give the woods an ethereal look. The route is bathed in a spiritually invigorating aura, and the hike is truly rewarding. Winter is also the time when many special prayers are conducted, which draws in a large crowd. Lines may get longer too, and you may have to wait for a few hours in queues before you enter the temple complex.

The Mandala Puja, held in November every year, heralds the beginning of the second pilgrim season, with special pujas and offerings to the deity. In December and January, the temple is continuously open for a period of more than a month – from the third week of December to the last week of January. This marks the most auspicious time to visit Sabarimala, as exceptional prayers are conducted throughout this time, in preparation for the Makaravilakku festival of January. This is arguably the most crowded time at Sabarimala, with devotees thronging the temple to catch a glimpse of the sacred and mystical Makara Jyothi, which appears on the 14th of January every year in Ponnambalamedu, a hillock nearby. The Lord is appropriately decked up for the occasion with unique gold ornaments – Thiruvabharanam – from the house of His ancestors at Pandalam Palace. The mesmerising festival is a feast to the eyes and ears, as the whole area resounds with holy chants and prayers. Do not give this festival a miss if you’re visiting Sabarimala in winter, but keep in mind that it does get very crowded. It is difficult to find parking during this time, so make sure you have other arrangements in place.

There are two monsoon seasons in the Indian peninsula – the southwest monsoon from June to September and the northeast monsoon in October and November. Sabarimala experiences both these rain periods, with more rain in the southwestern monsoon. As part of the Western Ghats, Sabarimala receives more than 75% of rainfall in the southwest monsoon, which may hamper your experience. Remember that you cannot access the temple without trekking up the hill for at least three kilometres, so the rain may make the route difficult to navigate. Nevertheless, devotees sill persist and visit the shrine. This is the off-season time where there is not much of a crowd – you can hope for a comfortable darshan without many devotees. Temperatures between 20°C and 27°C make the weather ideal for the trek, and you don’t sweat a lot too. The refreshing monsoon showers lend a new life to the terrain, and the forests come alive with the lush, verdant vegetation of the tropics. The sight is stunning to watch and is sure to rejuvenate your soul.

With temperatures ranging between 23°C and 38°C, summer can get particularly hot in Sabarimala. Don’t let this deter you – the unique location of this hilly shrine ensures that you don’t feel the heat at all times. We recommend that you start before sunrise so that you can escape the heat of the afternoon sun. Humidity is relatively high as well, which means that it may get a bit balmy in the afternoon. Mornings and evenings are pleasant. The Pamba River, in which devotees are expected to take a dip before entering the temple, is comfortable and cool – you will not have any qualms about taking a dip in the holy waters.
Vishu, the New Year festival of the people of Kerala, is held in April. This is an auspicious period to offer prayers to the Lord, and the temple is open for a few more days than usual. A large number of devotees flock to the temple during this time, which may make it a bit crowded.