- Sanctum opens; Nirmalya darshanam (first sight of the deity)3:00 AM
- Ganapati Homam begins3:30 AM
- Usha Pooja7:30 AM
- Neyyabhishekam (ghee anointing from the pilgrim's irumudi)8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
- Ucha Pooja, after which the sanctum closes at 1:00 PM12:30 PM
- Deeparadhana (evening lamp worship)6:30 PM
- Athazha Pooja (night worship)9:30 PM
- Harivarasanam, the lullaby sung as the sanctum closes for the night10:50 PM
The pooja day at Sabarimala opens at 3:00 AM with Nirmalya darshanam, the first sight of Ayyappa still wearing the previous night's adornments, followed by the Ganapati Homam. The signature ritual is the Neyyabhishekam through the morning, when the ghee that each pilgrim carried up the hill inside the irumudi coconut is poured over the idol; the emptied coconut is then broken and burnt. This is the moment the entire 41-day vratham has been building toward.
Usha Pooja and Ucha Pooja carry the morning to a 1:00 PM close, after which the sanctum rests through the afternoon. It reopens at 3:00 PM, with Deeparadhana around 6:30 PM lighting the evening, Pushpabhishekam and Athazha Pooja following into the night.
The day ends with Harivarasanam near 10:50 PM, the tender lullaby sung as the lamps are lowered and the doors close, putting the deity to sleep. Standing in the crowd as thousands sing it together is, for many, the emotional peak of the whole pilgrimage. All times here are approx and shift on high-footfall days.
← Back to the full Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha darshan guideCompiled from public sources including Kerala Tourism, Sabarimala rituals and how to reach · Sabarimala Devaswom (Kerala Govt) rituals · The South First, Sabarimala season opening report · TempleDarshanTime, Sabarimala timings and poojas 2026-27. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.