Illustration 1 / 6Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple
About the Temple
Valiyakoikkal is the family temple of the Pandalam royal house, which tradition holds raised Ayyappa as its son, and it stands in the Pandalam palace grounds on the MC Road. The Thiruvabharanam, the sacred ornaments worn by the Sabarimala idol at Makaravilakku, are kept in the palace and leave from this temple in a procession that walks about 83 km in three days. Many pilgrims break their journey here, and during the season they can see the ornaments before they go to the hill.
Why visit
- See where the Thiruvabharanam procession to Sabarimala begins.
- Visit the palace temple of the family that tradition links to Ayyappa's childhood.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 5:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Evening
- 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Reported by oneindia.com, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
These hours come from a temple directory, not from the Travancore Devaswom Board or the temple. The same directory lists Nirmalyam at 04:30, so the morning start may be earlier. Confirm locally. On the day the Thiruvabharanam procession leaves, usually three days before Makaravilakku in mid-January, the ornaments are shown in the temple from early morning and the town is very crowded. Hours in the Mandala-Makaravilakku season may differ.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
30 minutes to 1 hour inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
A dress rule for this temple was not confirmed. Kerala temples usually expect traditional dress and ask men to remove shirts before entering; ask at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Phones
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
Step counts, ramps and wheelchair routes were not confirmed. Kerala Tourism puts the temple about 1 km from Pandalam junction and the KSRTC bus station; ask the temple office about the easiest way in.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- Start of the Thiruvabharanam procession
Every year, three days before Makaravilakku, the sacred ornaments of the Sabarimala idol leave this temple in a procession on foot. It covers nearly 83 km in three days, and a representative of the royal family goes with it.
- Ornaments shown at the Srambickal palace
The ornaments are kept in the strong room of the Srambickal palace beside the temple. Devotees can see them there during the pilgrim season, from about the second week of November until the eve of the procession, and in the temple on the procession morning.
- Palace temple of the Pandalam royal family
After Ayyappa left for Sabarimala, tradition says, the royal family built this temple inside the big palace for its own worship; it was later opened to the public. At the procession the eldest member of the family hands his sword to his representative.
- The procession route
The first day ends at Ayroor Puthiyakavu Devi temple after passing Kulanada and Aranmula, the second at Laha via Perunad, and the third reaches Sabarimala in the evening by way of Plappally and Neelimala. The return procession rests at the Mangattu palace near Aranmula.
Sources: keralatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org, keralatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple
- By air: Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) · about 127 km
- By train: Chengannur (CNGR) · about 15 km
- By road: The temple is on the MC Road about 1 km from Pandalam junction and the KSRTC bus station. A routing estimate puts it about 13 km from Chengannur, 106 km from Trivandrum airport, 134 km from Kochi airport and 64 km from the Nilakkal base camp for Sabarimala (OSRM, measured 23 Oct 2026, without stops).
Sources: keralatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Srambickal palaceThe palace beside the temple where the Thiruvabharanam is kept and shown in the season.0.1 km away
- Pandalam Mahadeva TempleA Shiva temple in Pandalam town, a short walk from the palace.0.8 km away
- Aranmula Parthasarathy TempleOne of the five Pandava temples, a stop on the first day of the procession.11 km away
- Chengannur Mahadeva TempleThe major Shiva and Bhagavathi temple of Chengannur, near the railhead.12 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
What are the Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple timings?
5:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Reported by oneindia.com, checked 23 Oct 2026. On the day the Thiruvabharanam procession leaves, usually three days before Makaravilakku in mid-January, the ornaments are shown in the temple from early morning and the town is very crowded. Hours in the Mandala-Makaravilakku season may differ.
Is there a dress code at Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple?
A dress rule for this temple was not confirmed. Kerala temples usually expect traditional dress and ask men to remove shirts before entering; ask at the entrance.
Can I take my phone inside Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple?
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
When can I see the Thiruvabharanam at Pandalam?
The ornaments are kept in the Srambickal palace beside the temple. Reports say devotees can see them there through the pilgrim season, from about the second week of November until the eve of the procession, and in the temple on the procession morning. Kerala Tourism adds that the ornament box is brought out for devotees on Vishu. Confirm locally.
When does the Thiruvabharanam procession leave Pandalam?
Three days before Makaravilakku, on the 28th of the Malayalam month of Dhanu by Kerala Tourism's account. In 2025 it left on 12 January and reached Sabarimala on the evening of 14 January. The 2027 date was not yet published when checked.
How is Pandalam connected with Ayyappa?
By tradition Ayyappa grew up as the son of the Pandalam king. The royal family built this temple for its own worship after he left for Sabarimala and later opened it to the public. It still holds custody of the ornaments.
How far is Pandalam from Sabarimala?
The procession walks about 83 km over three days. By road, Pandalam is about 64 km from the Nilakkal base camp on a routing estimate, and about 13 km from Chengannur.