Travancore Devaswom Board Extends Sabarimala Darshan Timings to 18 Hours
TDB extends Sabarimala darshan hours to 18 daily. New entry booking counters, smartphone restrictions, and enhanced parking improve the pilgrimage experience.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced extended darshan timings for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, allowing devotees 18 hours of access daily, an increase from the previous 16 hours. The temple will now be open from 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM, as confirmed by TDB President P S Prasanth.
Revised Darshan Schedule
Devotees can visit the temple in two shifts: from 3:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. To enhance accessibility, the virtual queue system will be supplemented with new entry-point booking counters at Pamba, Erumely, and Vandiperiyar. A total of 10,000 entry-point bookings will be available daily, in addition to 70,000 online slots.
Identification Now Mandatory for Entry
All visitors booking through the entry-point system must provide an Aadhaar card or equivalent identification, such as a passport or voter ID. This marks a change from last year, where only one group member’s details were required. The rebranded entry-point booking system will feature seven counters at Pamba, ensuring a streamlined process and accurate record-keeping.
Smartphone Restrictions Around Shrines
To preserve the sanctity of the temple, the TDB has imposed a strict ban on smartphone use around the Ayyappa and Malikappurathamma shrines during the Mandala-Makara vilakku season. Photography within the sanctum sanctorum is strictly prohibited. Devotees must turn off their devices before ascending the holy steps and can only use them after exiting the Malikappuram shrine area. TDB has pledged stricter enforcement of this rule following challenges in past seasons.
Enhanced Parking Facilities
Parking arrangements for small vehicles will be available at Pamba, with designated areas at Chakkupalam II and Hilltop accommodating up to 1,500 vehicles. Nilackal will provide parking for 10,000 vehicles. Additionally, a new parking facility is being developed at Erumely on a 6.5-acre site by the Kerala State Housing Board, with charges aligned to those of TDB’s parking lots.
The TDB’s measures aim to ensure a smoother and more organized pilgrimage experience while upholding the spiritual atmosphere of the Sabarimala temple.