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Sabarimala Temple
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Kerala, Pathanamthitta -
January 29, 2026
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January 29, 2026 
The temple follows the Malayalam calendar. Key events for 2026 include:
Important Days and Dates
- Pallippana (Special 12-Year Ritual): February. This rare ritual occurs only once every 12 years and is a major highlight for this year.
- Aarattu Utsavam (Annual Festival): March. A 10-day grand celebration featuring “Velakali” (martial dance) and elephant processions.
- Champakulam Moolam Water Festival: Celebrated in June/July (Moolam day of Mithunam month), marking the installation of the deity.
- Ashtami Rohini (Janmashtami): The birthday of Lord Krishna, celebrated with great fervor.
How to Reach
The temple is located in Ambalapuzha, about 14 km from Alappuzha (Alleppey) town.
From Delhi to Temple
- By Air: Fly from Delhi (DEL) to Cochin International Airport (COK). From the airport, take a taxi or a KSRTC bus to Ambalapuzha (approx. 100 km, 3 hours).
- By Train: Take the Kerala Express or Himsagar Express to Alappuzha Railway Station. From there, the temple is a 20-minute taxi or auto-ride away.
From Ahmedabad to Temple
- By Air: Fly from Ahmedabad (AMD) to Cochin International Airport (COK). Continue by road via NH66.
- By Train: Take the Hapa-Tirunelveli Express or Gandhidham-Nagercoil Express to Alappuzha.
History of the Temple
The temple was built between the 15th and 17th centuries by King Devanarayana of the Chembakassery dynasty. Legend says the King challenged a Sage (Lord Krishna in disguise) to a game of chess. The Sage asked for rice grains as a prize—doubling on each square of the board. The King soon realized the total exceeded all the rice in the world. The Lord then revealed himself and told the King he could pay the debt by serving Palpayasam to devotees daily, a tradition that continues today.
Main Poojas Performed
The poojas are traditionally performed by the Puthumana Thanthri family
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- Nirmalyam & AbhishekamThe first ritual (3:00 AM) where the previous day’s decorations are removed and the idol is bathed in holy water and milk.
- Usha PoojaThe morning offering performed shortly after sunrise
- Ucha Pooja (Palpayasa Nivedyam)The most vital offering. This is when the famous Ambalapuzha Palpayasam is offered to the deity at noon.
- DeeparadhanaThe evening “festival of lights” (6:30 PM) where lamps are lit, creating a divine atmosphere.
- Athazha PoojaThe final pooja of the day before the temple closes at night.
Attire (Dressing Guidelines) for Pooja
The temple maintains a strict traditional dress code.
Men:
-
- Must wear a Mundu (Dhoti). Men are required to enter the inner courtyard bare-chested (no shirts or vests allowed).
Women:
-
- Traditional attire like Saree, Set-Mundu, or Long Skirts is recommended. While Salwar Kameez is generally accepted, it should be modest. Jeans and western skirts are restricted.
Restrictions:
-
- Footwear must be left outside the temple complex.
Official Websites
Government/Administrative Body
https://travancoredevaswomboard.org/
Special 2026 Event Site:
https://www.ambalapuzhatemplepallippana2026.com/
Description
The temple follows the Malayalam calendar. Key events for 2026 include:
Important Days and Dates
- Pallippana (Special 12-Year Ritual): February. This rare ritual occurs only once every 12 years and is a major highlight for this year.
- Aarattu Utsavam (Annual Festival): March. A 10-day grand celebration featuring “Velakali” (martial dance) and elephant processions.
- Champakulam Moolam Water Festival: Celebrated in June/July (Moolam day of Mithunam month), marking the installation of the deity.
- Ashtami Rohini (Janmashtami): The birthday of Lord Krishna, celebrated with great fervor.
How to Reach
The temple is located in Ambalapuzha, about 14 km from Alappuzha (Alleppey) town.
From Delhi to Temple
- By Air: Fly from Delhi (DEL) to Cochin International Airport (COK). From the airport, take a taxi or a KSRTC bus to Ambalapuzha (approx. 100 km, 3 hours).
- By Train: Take the Kerala Express or Himsagar Express to Alappuzha Railway Station. From there, the temple is a 20-minute taxi or auto-ride away.
From Ahmedabad to Temple
- By Air: Fly from Ahmedabad (AMD) to Cochin International Airport (COK). Continue by road via NH66.
- By Train: Take the Hapa-Tirunelveli Express or Gandhidham-Nagercoil Express to Alappuzha.
History of the Temple
The temple was built between the 15th and 17th centuries by King Devanarayana of the Chembakassery dynasty. Legend says the King challenged a Sage (Lord Krishna in disguise) to a game of chess. The Sage asked for rice grains as a prize—doubling on each square of the board. The King soon realized the total exceeded all the rice in the world. The Lord then revealed himself and told the King he could pay the debt by serving Palpayasam to devotees daily, a tradition that continues today.
Main Poojas Performed
The poojas are traditionally performed by the Puthumana Thanthri family
-
- Nirmalyam & AbhishekamThe first ritual (3:00 AM) where the previous day’s decorations are removed and the idol is bathed in holy water and milk.
- Usha PoojaThe morning offering performed shortly after sunrise
- Ucha Pooja (Palpayasa Nivedyam)The most vital offering. This is when the famous Ambalapuzha Palpayasam is offered to the deity at noon.
- DeeparadhanaThe evening “festival of lights” (6:30 PM) where lamps are lit, creating a divine atmosphere.
- Athazha PoojaThe final pooja of the day before the temple closes at night.
Attire (Dressing Guidelines) for Pooja
The temple maintains a strict traditional dress code.
Men:
-
- Must wear a Mundu (Dhoti). Men are required to enter the inner courtyard bare-chested (no shirts or vests allowed).
Women:
-
- Traditional attire like Saree, Set-Mundu, or Long Skirts is recommended. While Salwar Kameez is generally accepted, it should be modest. Jeans and western skirts are restricted.
Restrictions:
-
- Footwear must be left outside the temple complex.
Official Websites
Government/Administrative Body
https://travancoredevaswomboard.org/
Special 2026 Event Site:
https://www.ambalapuzhatemplepallippana2026.com/