What usually goes into the irumudi kettu for the Sabarimala pilgrimage: the front compartment with the ghee coconut and offerings, the back compartment for the journey, and the items the Travancore Devaswom Board has asked pilgrims to leave out.
தமிழில் படிக்க →- Mandala season begins: Tuesday, 17 November 2026 (Vrischikam 1), per Drik Panchang. The temple usually opens on the evening before.
- Mandala Pooja: Sunday, 27 December 2026, per Drik Panchang (Thiruvananthapuram).
- Makaravilakku: Thursday, 14 January 2027, per Drik Panchang. Some calendars list 15 January.
- Booking: the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) says Virtual-Q booking on sabarimalaonline.org is mandatory. In recent seasons a limited number of spot bookings were also offered at counters such as Nilakkal and Pamba.
When we checked on 13 October 2026, TDB had not yet published its 2026–27 schedule. Confirm the opening and closing dates on the TDB website before you travel.
The irumudi (இருமுடி, "two bundles") is the cloth bundle a Sabarimala pilgrim carries on the head. Only pilgrims carrying an irumudi climb the 18 holy steps, the Pathinettam Padi. It has two compartments. The front one, the munmudi, holds the offerings for Lord Ayyappa, including the ghee-filled coconut. The back one, the pinmudi, holds what the pilgrim needs on the way.
The irumudi is filled and tied at a ceremony called kettunira, usually led by the pilgrim's Guru Swamy. This guide lists what is commonly packed. Your Guru Swamy's instructions come first wherever they differ.
1. Front compartment (munmudi)
Almost every list includes these:
- Ghee coconut (neyy thengai), filled with pure cow ghee. It is the main offering.
- Raw rice (pacharisi, called unakkalari in Kerala).
- Jaggery.
- Betel leaves and areca nut.
- Coins for the offering (kaanikkai).
The November 2024 advice passed on by TDB also names kadali bananas.
Many Tamil lists add the items below. Whether you pack them, and how much, depends on your Guru Swamy and your group:
- Turmeric powder, often for the offering at Manjamatha (Malikappurathamma).
- Kumkum, vibhuti and sandal.
- Aval (flattened rice) and pori.
- Kalkandu (sugar candy), honey, raisins, cashews and dates.
- A blouse piece for Malikappurathamma, packed by some groups.
2. The ghee coconut (neyy thengai)
The ghee coconut is prepared at the kettunira. A hole is made at one of the coconut's "eyes" and the coconut water is drained out. The coconut is then filled with pure cow ghee and the hole is sealed. Your Guru Swamy will show you how your group does it. Many families also mark the coconut with sandal and kumkum.
At Sabarimala, the ghee is offered for Lord Ayyappa's neyyabhishekam. The coconut halves are usually offered into the Aazhi, the large fire near the 18 steps. Some pilgrims bring one half home as prasadam.
3. Back compartment (pinmudi)
Traditionally, the back compartment carried rice and other provisions for cooking on the long walk. The 2024 advice passed on by TDB says this is no longer needed and a little rice is enough. Pilgrims who offer rice at Sabarimala can receive nivedyam.
Many Tamil lists also put two coconuts in the pinmudi: one to break at the 18 steps and one to break at home or on the way back. Customs vary.
Kerala Tourism describes the pinmudi as the place for the pilgrim's personal belongings. Many pilgrims now also carry clothes, medicines, water, their Virtual-Q pass and ID in a separate shoulder bag. Ask your Guru Swamy what your group does.
4. What TDB asks you to leave out
In November 2024, the Sabarimala Tantri asked TDB to tell pilgrims not to pack items that are not used at the shrine, and TDB passed this on. The items named were camphor, rose water (panneer) and incense sticks. Some reports also included sambrani. Many Tamil irumudi lists, including recent ones, still include them, so ask your Guru Swamy.
In 2018 the Kerala High Court banned plastic in any form at Sabarimala, including bottles, sachets and covers in the irumudi. Avoid plastic packing.
5. Irumudi checklist
| Item | Tamil name | Compartment | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghee coconut (coconut + cow ghee) | நெய் தேங்காய் | Front | Ghee · coconut: buy fresh |
| Raw rice | பச்சரிசி | Front, a little in back | View |
| Jaggery | வெல்லம் | Front | View |
| Betel leaves, areca nut | வெற்றிலை, பாக்கு | Front | Buy fresh locally |
| Coins for offering | காணிக்கைக் காசு | Front | — |
| Kadali bananas | கதலி வாழைப்பழம் | Front | Buy fresh locally |
| Turmeric powder | மஞ்சள் பொடி | Front (varies) | View |
| Kumkum, vibhuti, sandal | குங்குமம், விபூதி, சந்தனம் | Front (varies) | View |
| Aval, pori | அவல், பொரி | Front (varies) | Aval · Pori |
| Kalkandu, honey, raisins, cashews, dates | கல்கண்டு, தேன், உலர் திராட்சை, முந்திரி, பேரீச்சம்பழம் | Front (varies) | Kalkandu · Honey · Dry fruits |
| Coconuts to break | உடைக்கும் தேங்காய் | Back (varies) | Buy fresh locally |
| Irumudi bag | இருமுடிப் பை | — | We don't sell these |
Getting your irumudi items ready
Delivery typically takes 3–7 business days depending on your location (see our Shipping Policy). If your kettunira is in mid-November, please order by early November.
In Dindigul? Visit us at 44, VM Complex, Big Bazaar Street, Begambur. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM, and closed on Sundays. If your Guru Swamy has given you a list, bring it along.
Shop pooja grocery itemsCall 99420 38038Common questions
When does the 2026–27 Sabarimala season begin?
The Mandala season begins on Tuesday, 17 November 2026 (Vrischikam 1), according to Drik Panchang. The temple usually opens on the evening before. Mandala Pooja is on 27 December 2026 and Makaravilakku on 14 January 2027 (some calendars list 15 January). Confirm the dates with TDB before you travel.
Do I need to book darshan in advance?
Yes. TDB says Virtual-Q booking on sabarimalaonline.org is mandatory. In recent seasons the Kerala High Court capped daily numbers, and only a limited number of spot bookings were offered at counters, so book early.
Can I carry camphor, rose water or incense in the irumudi?
In 2024, TDB asked pilgrims to leave these out because they are not used at the shrine. Many traditional lists still include them, so follow your Guru Swamy's advice. Plastic is banned at Sabarimala, including covers and sachets in the irumudi.
Who ties the irumudi?
Usually the Guru Swamy, at the kettunira ceremony. The Guru Swamy fills the ghee coconut with the devotee, ties the bundle and places it on the devotee's head.
Do you sell irumudi bags or ready kits?
No. We sell the individual items listed above, such as ghee, raw rice, jaggery, turmeric, kumkum, aval, pori and dry fruits. We don't sell irumudi bags or ready-made kits.
More guides
Sources, checked 13 October 2026: Drik Panchang Malayalam calendar 2026 (Thiruvananthapuram) and Makaravilakku 2027. Kerala Tourism: Sabarimala rituals. Travancore Devaswom Board. The Tantri's 2024 advice on irumudi contents, as reported by Asianet News and Native Planet. Kerala High Court plastic ban, as reported by Bar & Bench. Traditional Tamil lists: Dinamalar, Daily Thanthi. Practices vary by Guru Swamy and group.