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Sabarimala Temple Opens Today for Onam Festival; Special Pujas Scheduled

24 Aug 2026Updated 22 days ago1 source

AI translation — this coverage was originally reported in Tamil; the translation may contain errors. Read the original reports below.

The Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala will open on Monday evening for the Onam festival rituals. Devotees will be allowed for darshan from Tuesday morning, with special pujas scheduled for Uthradam, Thiruvonam, Avittam, and Chathayam. The Travancore Devaswom Board has made special arrangements, and an Onam feast will be provided to all devotees on August 26.

NIKAN Intelligence

What happened

The Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple is opening on Monday evening to mark the Onam festival rituals, with ceremonies led by the temple tantri and melshanti.

Why it matters

Sabarimala is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites for devotees in South India, and thousands of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu track its opening schedule closely.

What we know

  • The temple opens on Monday at 5 PM.
  • Devotees will be permitted to enter for darshan from Tuesday morning at 5 AM.
  • Special pujas will be held on Uthradam, Thiruvonam, Avittam, and Chathayam days.
  • An Onam feast (sadya) will be served to all visiting devotees on August 26.
  • The temple will close on August 28 at 10 PM.
  • The Devaswom Board has implemented crowd control and special facilities.

What we don't know

  • The exact estimated number of devotees expected to visit during this period.
  • Details regarding special transport arrangements or inter-state bus services from Tamil Nadu to Kerala for the festival.

What's next

Devotees will be allowed to climb the 18 steps and have darshan starting Tuesday morning at 5 AM.

Generated by NIKAN's analysis engine from the cited reports only. Nothing here is invented; gaps are shown as unknowns. Always read the original coverage linked below.

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AI translation — may contain errors

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