The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will conduct special services to Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Around 1,750 buses will be pressed into service in three phases during the pilgrimage season, which begins on November 15 and ends on January 14, 2026, with Makaravilakku.
The services to the hill temple will be arranged without upsetting the services to other parts of the State. As per a circular issued by the corporation, the buses used for the special services should not be decorated with plantain and tender coconut fronds in a way that obstructs the driver’s view. Unit chiefs have been instructed to ensure that all the buses are roadworthy ahead of the pilgrimage season.
In the first phase, 467 buses, including 140 low-floor non-AC, 30 Volvo AC low-floor, 267 fast passenger and superfast, 20 deluxe, 5 super express, and 5 short-wheel buses, will be used, followed by 502 buses in the second phase, and 800 buses during the Makaravilakku phase. Boards providing details of the services will be displayed in Malayalam, English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada at vantage points in Pampa.
At least 40 passengers
Officials who decide on the special services should ensure that at least 40 passengers are available for the trip to Pampa, or else the financial liability will be recouped from the officer in charge of the scheduling. Officials have also been instructed that services that earn good revenue on other routes should not be cancelled to facilitate the Sabarimala special services. If there are enough passengers to Pampa, pilgrim groups may book KSRTC buses 10 days in advance. In such cases, the buses will pick up pilgrims from within a 10-km radius of the starting point.
Based on demand
The public utility will also arrange special chartered services from temples such as Sree Maha Ganapathi Temple at Kottarakkara, Pazhavangaadi Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Thirunakkara Sree Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam, Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, Chengannur railway station, Thiruvalla railway station, and Ernakulam South railway station if there are enough passengers to Sabarimala. Special chartered services would also be conducted from other centres based on demand. Additionally, a seamless chain service between Pampa and Nilackal will be ensured.
Published – November 07, 2025 07:56 pm IST
