Best time for Sabarimala Darshan:
Usually the pilgrimage season starts on Vrischikam 1 (Mid November) and lasts upto Makaravilakku (Jan End), but the temple remains open for the first five days of every Malayalam month.Irumudi & Kettunira:
Irumudi is a head load which is a cotton bag with two compartments. The front compartment of the irumudi contains a coconut filled with pure melted ghee from cow’s milk which is the main offering to the Lord Ayyappa. The other compartment of the bag contains other items – say from salt to camphor. Ceremony of filling the irumudi with the priestly supervision of an elder devotee is known as Kettunira. Only Pilgrims carrying Irumudi are allowed to ascend the holy eighteen steps to the temple. Chakra provides kettunira assistance at Pamba for those who can’t do it at home.Fasting:
Normally pilgrims observe a stringent fasting of 41 days prior to darsan, but devotees can observe fasting for minimal days too. Men of all ages are allowed to visist Sabarimala. But entry of women between ages 10 -50 is forbidden. A detailed guide on Sabarimala fasting is available upon request.