Sabarimala Mandala and Makaravilakku മണ്ഡലം – മകരവിളക്ക്

Calculated for Thiruvananthapuram with sidereal (Lahiri) positions. Temple and devaswom announcements take precedence.

How the dates are fixed

The Mandala period is 41 days long and begins on Vrischikam 1, the day the Sun enters sidereal Scorpio under the Kerala rule. Mandala Pooja falls on the 41st day. Makaravilakku falls on Makara Sankranti in mid-January. The Travancore Devaswom Board publishes the exact temple opening and closing times each year, and those are final.

The vratham

Pilgrims wear a mala (bead chain) and keep a 41-day discipline of vegetarian food, celibacy, simple black or blue clothing and daily prayer. They call each other "Swami". The irumudi kettu, a two-compartment bundle carrying a ghee-filled coconut and supplies, is packed at home or at a temple before the journey and carried on the head.

Makaravilakku

On Makaravilakku evening, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) arrive in procession from Pandalam and the idol is adorned with them. The Makarajyothi light is then seen over Ponnambalamedu, across the valley from the shrine.

Planning a visit

Darshan slots are booked through the Sabarimala virtual queue system run by the police and the Devaswom Board. The trek from Pamba to Sannidhanam is about 5 km uphill. Nilakkal is the base parking point during the season.

Questions