- Best time
- Nov–Jan
- How long
- 2–3 days
- Stay a night
- ₹300–3,500
- Food a day
- ₹100–700
- Nearest railhead
- 90 km away
- Nearest airport
- 160 km away
Plan Sabarimala in a minute. Day-by-day plan, stays, budget and trains — free on JrnyLoop.
Plan this tripAbout Sabarimala
One of the world’s biggest annual pilgrimages — devotees in black after a 41-day vow trek from Pamba up Neelimala to Lord Ayyappa’s shrine, climbing the eighteen holy steps with the irumudi on their heads.
Things to do in Sabarimala
Sabarimala Sannidhanam
Ayyappa’s shrine above the 18 holy steps.
Pamba–Sannidhanam Trek
About 5 km up Neelimala and Appachimedu through forest.
Pamba River & Ganapathi Temple
Holy dip and prayers before the climb.
Erumeli Vavar Mosque & Sastha Temple
Pilgrims visit both — a symbol of harmony — and dance the petta thullal.
Makaravilakku
The sacred light seen on Ponnambalamedu on Makar Sankranti.
Where to stay in Sabarimala
Sannidhanam & Pamba
Devaswom rooms and resting halls — basic.
Erumeli & Nilakkal
Base camps where buses run up to Pamba.
Pathanamthitta
Town hotels 65 km away.
What to eat
Aravana & appam prasadam
Jaggery payasam and rice appam from the shrine.
Annadanam
Free meals at Pamba and Sannidhanam.
Good to know
- Book a darshan slot on the Sabarimala virtual-queue portal before you travel.
- The main season is mid-November to mid-January; the temple also opens for the first five days of each Malayalam month.
- Plastic is banned in the forest.
Going to Sabarimala? Build the plan, split costs with your group and keep tickets in one place.
Plan this trip