Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is one of the most very old and well-known temples in the country. Pathanamthitta District in Kerala, In the Western Ghat mountain ranges Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is located, Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India. In southern India, the shrine of Sabarimala is one of the most remote shrines. Every year three to four million pilgrims will be visiting. Sabarimala is believed to be the region where Ayyappan mediated, Sree Ayyappa Temple is Surrounded by deep forest and mountains. It is the best-known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and well known among all the Sastha Temples.
The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India but also from different parts of the country and abroad. The shrine receives thronged with devotees specifically at some point in the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandala pooja (Dec.12. 2011) and Makaravilakku(Jan.15.2012) are the two major events of the pilgrim season. The primary 5 days of each Malayalam month and during Vishu (April), the temple remains closed during the rest of the year.
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala is open for darshan only during certain particular periods in a year. Below are the dates on which the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple will stay open during 2018 – 2019.
| Month | Pooja | Opening date | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2017 | Thirunada Re-opens for Makaravilakku | 30/12/2017 5pm | 20/01/2018 10pm |
| January 2018 | Makaravilakku Day | 14/01/2018 | |
| February 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Kumbham | 12/02/2018 5pm | 17/02/2018 10pm |
| March 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Meenam | 14/03/2018 5pm | 19/03/2018 10pm |
| Sabarimala Utsavam | 20/03/2018 5pm | 30/03/2018 10pm | |
| Kodiyettu | 21/03/2018 | ||
| Panguni Uthiram (Ayyappan Nakshatra Birth Date) & Arattu | 30/03/2018 | ||
| April 2018 | Meda Vishu Festival | 10/04/2018 5pm | 18/04/2018 10pm |
| Vishu | 15/04/2018 | ||
| May 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Edavam | 14/05/2018 5pm | 19/05/2018 10pm |
| Idol Installation Pooja | 24/05/2018 5pm | 25/05/2018 10pm | |
| June 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Midhunam | 14/06/2018 5pm | 19/06/2018 10pm |
| July 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Karkkidakam | 16/07/2018 5pm | 21/07/2018 10pm |
| August 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Chingam | 16/08/2018 5pm | 21/07/2018 10pm |
| Onam Pooja | 23/08/2018 5pm | 27/08/2018 10pm | |
| Onam Day | 24/08/2018 | ||
| September 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Kanni | 16/09/2018 5pm | 21/09/2018 10pm |
| October 2018 | Monthly Pooja – Thulam | 16/10/2018 5pm | 21/10/2018 10pm |
| November 2018 | Sree Chithra Atta Thirunal | 05/11/2018 5pm | 06/11/2018 10pm |
| Mandala Pooja Maholsavam | 16/11/2018 5pm | 27/12/2018 10pm | |
| December 2018 | Madala Pooja | 27/12/2018 | |
| Temple Re-opens for Makaravilakku | 30/12/2018 5pm | ||
| January 2019 | Makaravilakku Day | 14/01/2019 |