Sabarimala Mandala Kalam 2023 Dates & Makaravilakku 2023

The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala is a world famous Swamy Ayyappan temple located at an altitude of 914 metres. Mandala Kalam, also known as Mandala Masam is the main pilgrimage season of this renowned Sabarimala Temple.

Mandala Kalam marks the beginning of pilgrimage to the hill shrine from the first day of the Vrishchikam month and ends on the eleventh day of the Dhanu month as per the traditional Malayalam calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, this time corresponds to the months of December-January. Mandala Kalam lasts for a period of 41 days when millions of devotees from all corners of the world, throng the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.

Sabarimala Mandala Kalam 2023 starts on November 17, Friday

2023 Mandala Pooja is on December 27, Wednesday and 2023 Makaravilakku is on January 14, 2023 Saturday

Rituals during Mandala Kalam Begins:

• Before the Mandala Kalam Begins devotees observe vrata or penance for several days in advance. Staunch devotees also keep strict fast during the Mandala Kalam (41 days) while some even observe a fasting or penance for few days. They refrain from eating non-vegetarian food, avoid sex and wear a special ‘Rudraksha’ mala during this time.
• Those visiting the Sabarimala Temple as the Mandala Kalam Begins, wear black dhotis. These devotees also carry ‘Irumudi’ or ‘Ketunira’, which is a cloth bundle, partitioned into two parts and contain a holy coconut with rice and ghee. The ‘Irumudi’ is taken for offering to Lord Ayyappa.
• As the Mandala Kalam Begins, there is also a ritual of visiting the Shri Krishna Temple as Guruvayur.

Important Timings On Sabarimala Mandala Kalam 2023

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Significance of Mandala Kalam Begins:

Sabarimala Temple is an important pilgrimage destination located amidst the forests of the Sabari Hills. According to the legends Lord Ayyappa meditated at this place after killing the demon named ‘Mahishi’. Mandala Kalam or Mandala Masam is the period dedicated to the Sabarimala shrine that lasts for 41 days. During this period devotees observe strict austerity. After the 41 days of the pilgrimage season, Lord Ayyappa Temple remains close for a period of three days and is re-opened on the fourth day for darshan. People belonging to any religion can visit the Sabarimala Temple as there is no discrimination of caste or creed. However female devotees aged between 10-50 years are prohibited from visiting the Sabarimala Temple during Mandala Kalam period. The annual pilgrimage season of the famous Sabarimala Temple continues from mid-November to mid-January and comes to an end with the celebrations of ‘Makaravilakku’. Millions of devotees visit the Sabarimala Shrine during Mandala Kalam to offer their sacred prayers to Lord Ayyappa.