special season
📅 Opens: Tuesday, 24 November 2026 · Closes: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
Karthika Pournami — the full-moon day in Vrishchika month — falls on 24 November 2026. Falls within the Mandala season; Deeparadhana attendance peaks. One of the most spiritually significant single days in the Sabarimala year.
Karthika Pournami (कार्तिक पूर्णिमा) is the full-moon night in the Vrishchika / Karthika month, considered one of the holiest nights in the Hindu calendar. At Sabarimala, this date falls within the early Mandala season (the temple is open). The Deeparadhana on this night is extraordinarily attended — devotees light millions of lamps across temples and homes. For Ayyappa devotees on vratham, Karthika Pournami is a day for Deeparadhana, extended Bhajan, and (where possible) Sannidhanam darshan.
Daily opening (Sannidhanam)
Morning
4:00 AM → 1:00 PM
Evening
3:00 PM → 11:00 PM
Evening hours extended for Karthika Pournami Deeparadhana — temple may stay open past 10:30 PM on this single day. Verify with TDB for official timings.
Key dates within the season
Why Karthika Pournami matters at Sabarimala
The full-moon night of Vrishchika month — Karthika Pournami — is one of the most spiritually charged dates in the Hindu calendar. Falling within the early Mandala season at Sabarimala, this is a night when:
- The temple’s evening Deeparadhana is extended and elaborately attended
- Lakhs of devotees light lamps at homes and temples — the “festival of lights” beyond Deepavali
- Devotees on Mandala vratham observe extended Bhajan + recitation
At Sannidhanam — 24 November 2026
If your Mandala-season darshan plan can include 24 November 2026, you’ll witness one of the most powerful Deeparadhana ceremonies of the year. Note:
- Crowd levels are extreme — book Q-pass weeks ahead
- Evening hours extend past the usual 10:30 PM close
- Trek up from Pampa should start very early (4-5 AM) to clear darshan by evening
- Carry extra lamps + camphor for the personal Deeparadhana
At our temple in Yeshwanthpur
If you can’t make Sannidhanam, Sree Ayyappa Temple Yeshwanthpur holds a special Karthika Pournami Deeparadhana on the same evening. All devotees on Mandala vratham are welcome to attend and offer their lamps.
This guide is curated by Sree Ayyappa Temple, Yeshwanthpur. For Karthika Pournami evening pooja details or to participate in the Deeparadhana at our temple, reach +91 7353063336.