When does the Sabarimala season start?

On Vrischikam 1, mid-November, and it runs forty-one days to Mandala Pooja in late December. Pilgrims take the mala at the start and keep a vratham for the whole period, black clothing, celibacy, sattvik food, no footwear, before making the trek. The second phase ends at Makaravilakku in mid-January.

Mandalakala Begins (Sabarimala)

Malayalam

मंडलकाल आरंभ · મંડલકાલ આરંભ

Next date

17 November 2026

Tuesday · Shukla Ashtami

Tithi begins04:20 AM

Tithi ends06:06 AM · 18 Nov

Full panchang for this day

About

Start of the 41-day Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Devotees observe strict Vratham wearing black clothes.

Falls on: Vrischikam 1 (mid-November) for 41 days, to Mandala Pooja around 26 to 27 December

What it is

The 41-day Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Devotees take the mala on the opening day and keep a vratham, black or blue clothes, celibacy, no shaving, sattvik food, no footwear, for the duration, then trek to the shrine carrying the irumudi kettu. Mandala Pooja closes the first phase; Makaravilakku in January closes the second.

Food

Strictly sattvik through the vratham. Aravana payasam as prasad.

Common questions

When does the Sabarimala season start?: On Vrischikam 1, mid-November, and it runs forty-one days to Mandala Pooja in late December. Pilgrims take the mala at the start and keep a vratham for the whole period, black clothing, celibacy, sattvik food, no footwear, before making the trek. The second phase ends at Makaravilakku in mid-January.

2026

Nov17TueTuesdayNextShukla AshtamiTithi begins04:20 AMTithi ends06:06 AM · 18 Nov

2027

Nov17WedWednesdayKrishna ChaturthiTithi begins03:42 AMTithi ends01:35 AM · 18 Nov