The Sabarimala temple opens on 16 November for the 41-day Mandalam season, and online darshan slots are already being booked. If you are planning the pilgrimage this year, here is how the free virtual queue works, how many people can go each day, and what to do if you could not get a slot.
Key dates and facts at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple opens | 16 November 2026, for the 41-day Mandalam season (Onmanorama) |
| Virtual queue booking opened | 29 October 2026, 10 am |
| Official booking website | sabarimalaonline.org |
| Booking fee | Free (an optional donation of ₹5 or more is allowed) |
| Total daily limit | Up to 80,000 pilgrims (66,000 online + 14,000 spot booking) |
| Spot booking at Pampa | Not available this season |
| Spot booking centres | Nilakkal, Erumeli, Vandiperiyar Sathram |
How many pilgrims can go each day?
According to ETV Bharat and Sabarimala Uptodate, the daily slots are split by route and booking type. Online bookings take the larger share, while a smaller number of spot-booking slots are kept for pilgrims who arrive without a pass.
| Route / centre | Online virtual queue | Spot booking |
|---|---|---|
| Nilakkal – Pampa route | 60,000 | 10,000 (at Nilakkal) |
| Erumeli forest route | 3,000 | 2,000 (at Erumeli) |
| Vandiperiyar Sathram route | 3,000 | 2,000 (at Vandiperiyar Sathram) |
| Total | 66,000 | 14,000 |
ETV Bharat reports that the combined capacity is 80,000 a day, subject to the limit at each location. Popular dates, especially weekends and the days around the main pujas, are likely to fill up first, so book early.
What you need before you book
ETV Bharat lists the following requirements for registering on the portal:
- An active mobile number and email ID (you will get an OTP).
- A valid photo ID: Aadhaar card, Voter ID or passport. Use the same ID you will carry on the trip.
- A recent passport-size photo under 30 KB, saved on the phone or computer you are using.
- Details of anyone travelling with you, if you are booking for a group.
How to book the Sabarimala virtual queue: step by step
- Go to the official website, sabarimalaonline.org. Type the address yourself rather than clicking ads or forwarded links.
- Register with your name, mobile number, email and a password, then verify using the OTP.
- Log in and fill in your personal and ID details, then upload your photo.
- Choose the virtual queue / darshan option.
- Pick a date from the calendar. Reports say green dates have slots available and red dates are fully booked.
- Choose a morning or evening time slot and your route (Nilakkal–Pampa, Erumeli or Vandiperiyar).
- Add accompanying devotees if needed, check every detail, and submit.
- Download the QR-code pass as a PDF. Keep it on your phone and carry a printout plus your original ID.
The Travancore Devaswom Board does not charge for the booking itself. The ₹5 contribution to the Pilgrim Relief Fund and any donation to the General Fund (used for sanitation and maintenance) are optional, according to both reports.
No pass? How spot booking works this year
If you could not get an online slot, you can still try spot booking, but there is an important change. Spot booking will not run at Pampa this season. Both ETV Bharat and Sabarimala Uptodate say this follows a Kerala High Court direction, which is aimed at reducing crowding at the base camp.
Spot booking will instead be available only at Nilakkal, Erumeli and Vandiperiyar Sathram, with a fixed daily cap at each centre. If you are going by road via Pathanamthitta, plan to stop at Nilakkal for this. Carry the same original ID you would use for online booking.
Arrangements announced for the season
Onmanorama reported on 17 October that the Kerala Chief Minister reviewed preparations at Pampa and ordered urgent fixes to toilet facilities and other pending repairs. Other arrangements reported include:
- A shelter at Nilakkal for about 6,000 pilgrims, to be used if crowds at Pampa build up, with regulated entry and exit.
- 461 KSRTC buses for the season.
- Hospital facilities in Pathanamthitta, Konni, Chengannur, Erumeli, Kottayam and the Sabarimala area.
- Motor Vehicles Department road inspections and work on dangerous bends.
- Stronger security, with a special police briefing before the season, according to the state Home Minister.
- Steps to keep the Pampa river clean. Pilgrims are urged not to leave clothes in the river.
What it means for you: practical tips
- Book only on the official site. The booking is free. ETV Bharat warns devotees to avoid fraudulent websites. Anyone charging a “booking fee” is not the official portal.
- Match your ID exactly. The ID you upload must be the one you carry. A mismatch can cause problems at the checkpoint.
- Reach on your slot day. Plan travel so you arrive in time for your booked date and time slot.
- Plan transport early. If you are coming by train, book early, as Kerala-bound trains fill fast in the season. Our guide on IRCTC booking rules for Aadhaar users may help.
- Keep elders and children in mind. The climb is steep and queues can be long. Carry water, any regular medicines, and a charged phone with your pass.
- Check updates before leaving. Timings and rules can change at short notice during the season.
The bottom line
Sabarimala opens on 16 November, and the free virtual queue on sabarimalaonline.org is the easiest way to secure darshan. Up to 80,000 pilgrims a day can go, but spot booking at Pampa has ended, so walk-in pilgrims must use Nilakkal, Erumeli or Vandiperiyar. Book early, use only the official site, and carry the same ID you used to register.
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