AnnouncementsSpecial Trains

Sabarimala Special Trains for 2025-26

The Southern, South Western and South Central zones of the Indian Railways have announced a number of special train services to be operated to Kerala during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season and the Christmas/New Year holiday period of 2025-26. The trains will run during the period of November and December 2025 and January 2026.

The Sabarimala Pilgrimage is undertaken annually by the devotees of Swami Ayyappan to the shrine consecrated in his name located on a mountaintop at Sabarimala in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The shrine is located in a deep forest that needs to be reached by trekking through the jungle. The trek to the temple (“Sannidhanam”) starts at the foothills to the temple on the banks of the river Pampa.

A large part of the devotees undertake the journey by train. However, Sabarimala (Pampa) does not have direct rail connectivity. The nearest rail heads to reach Pampa are Chengannur CNGR, Kottayam KTYM and Ernakulam ERN in that order, though Chengannur is considered to be the nodal point. Devotees can reach Pampa from railway stations by KSRTC buses that are available 24 hours at the railway stations.

The devotees overwhelmingly consist of people from the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Hence all special trains to Sabarimala originate or pass through Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad or Vijayawada. All Sabarimala special trains also double as holiday special trains for people from these places to travel to Kerala during the Christmas/New Year holiday period of 2025-26. Sabarimala special trains often terminate at Kollam, around 60 km south of Chengannur as it is the nearest with terminal facilities.

Given are all details of Sabarimala Special trains for 2025-26. Included are detailed timetables and schedules, day of operation, stoppages and classes of accommodation (coach composition) for trains to and from Sabarimala. You can view even further details by clicking on the train number. To know seatr/berth availability and book tickets on the Sabarimala specials please visit the IRCTC website or app or any authorised third party booking website. Please note that all Sabarimala special trains charge fares at 1.3x (30%) higher than the normal fare.

Sabarimala Special Trains (2024-25) from Chennai

Departures from Chennai to Sabarimala stations in Kerala

Days of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain noCoachesDeparts Chennai Central MASArrives Ernakulam ERNArrives Kottayam KTYMArrives Chengannur CGNRArrives Kollam QLN
SundaysNov 16, 23, 30 Dec, 07, 14, 21. 28, Jan 04, 11, 18.0611312.SL, 06.GS, 02.2S, 02.SLR23501230 (Mon)134014231630
Wednesdays
(AC Special)
Nov 19, 26, Dec 03, 10, 17, 24, 31 Jan 07, 14, 21.0611916.3A Garib Rath15100213 (Thu)032704100640
ThursdaysNov 20, 27, Dec 04, 11, 18, 25, Jan 01, 08, 15, 22.0612707.3A, 04.3E, 07.SL, 01.UR23501230 (Sun)134014231630
FridaysNov 14, 21, 28, Dec 05, 12, 19, 26, Jan 02, 09, 16.0611102.2A, 08.3A, 06.SL, 05.UR2355 (MS)1230 (Sat)134014231630
SaturdaysNov 22, 29, Dec 06, 12, 27, Jan 03, 10, 17, 24.0611703.3A, 08.3E, 02.SL, 01.UR23501230 (Sun)134014231630

Return departures from Kerala (Sabarimala stations) to Chennai

Days of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain noDeparts Kollam QLNDeparts Chengannur CNGRDeparts Kottayam KTYMDeparts Ernakulam Town ERNArrives Chennai Central MAS
SundaysNov 23, 30, Dec 07, 14, 21, 28, Jan 04, 11, 18, 25.0611818301937201521451130
MondaysNov 17, 24, Dec 01, 08 15, 22, 29, Jan 05, 12, 19.0611416301723181019351135
Thursdays (AC Special)Nov 20, 27, Dec 04, 11, 18, 25, Jan 01, 08, 15, 22.0612010401145122513400330
FridaysNov 21, 28, Dec 05, 12, 19, 26, Jan 02, 09, 16. 23.0612818301937201521451130
SaturdaysNov 15, 22, 29, Dec 06, 13, 20, 27, Jan 03, 10, 17.0611219352040213023001200 (MS)

Route and Stoppages: Thiruvallur, Arakkonam Jn, Katpadi Jn, Jolarpettai Jn, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur, Podanur Jn, Palakkad Jn, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanacherry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kayamkulam Jn.

Sabarimala Special Trains (2024-25) from Bangalore/Karnataka

South Western Railway that is usually loathe to operate special trains to Kerala has surprisingly been operating not one but three special trains for months now and has extended their service until the end of this year. Three of them run from Bengaluru and one from Hubballi via Bengaluru.

Return departures from Bangalore to Sabarimala stations (Kerala)

Days of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain noCoachesDeparts SMVT Bengaluru SMVBArrives Ernakulam ERNArrives Kottayam KTYMArrives Chengannur CGNRArrives Trivandrum North TVCN
SundaysSep 28 – Nov 09, 16, 23, 30, Dec 07, 14, 21, 28.0731301.2A, 02.3A, 12.SL, 05.UR, 02.SLR23100915102511051255 (QLN)
MondaysAug 11 – Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 01, 08 15, 22, 29.0652302.2A, 16.3A19250815095510381315
WednesdaysSep 17 – Nov 12, 19, 26, Dec 03, 10, 17, 24.0654702.2A, 16.3A19250815095510381315
FridaysApr 04 – Nov 07, 14, 21, 28, Dec 05, 12, 19, 26.0655502.2A, 16.3A22000915102511071400

Return departures from Kerala (Sabarimala stations) to Bangalore

Days of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain noDeparts Trivandrum North TVCNDeparts Chengannur CNGRDeparts Kottayam KTYMDeparts Ernakulam Town ERNArrives SMVT Bangalore SMVB
SundaysNov 09, 16, 23, 30, Dec 07, 14, 21, 28.0655614151610165018050730 (Mon)
MondaysSep 29 – Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 01, 08 15, 22, 29.073131700 (QLN)1808184520350900 (Tue)
TuesdaysAug 12 – Nov 11, 18, 25, Dec 02, 09, 16, 30.0652415151720180019350830 (Wed)
Thursdays Sep 18 – Nov 13, 20, 27, Dec 04, 11, 18, 25.0654815151720180019350830 (Fri)

Route and Stoppages: Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet Jn, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur, Podanur Jn, Palakkad Jn, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town (North), Kottayam, Changanasserry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam Jn, Sasthamkotta, Kollam Jn, Varkala Sivagiri.

  • 07313 Sabarimala and Holidays special train from SSS Hubballi (Hubli) UBL Karnataka to Kollam QLN via Bangalore will depart on all Sundays until December 27 2025. Abstract Timetable: Departs UBL: 1515 (Tue), DVG: 1722, ASK: 1945. BAW: 2135, SMVB Bengaluru: 2310, KJM: 2325, SA: 0315 (Mon), PTJ: 0630, PGT: 0745, TCR: 0905, arrives ERN: 1035, KTYM: 1025, CNGR: 1105, QLN: 1255 (Mon).
  • 07314 Sabarimala and Holidays Special train from Kollam QLN to SSS Hubballi (Hubli) UBL Karnataka via Bangalore will depart on all Mondays Until December 29 2025. Abstract Timetable: Departs QLN: 1700 (Mon), CNGR: 1808, KTYM: 1845, ERN: 2035, TCR: 2205, PGT: 2350, PTJ: 0120 (Tue), SA: 0408, arrives KJM: 0840, arrives SMVB Bengaluru: 0910, TK: 1045, ASK: 1235, DVG: 1508, arrives UBL: 1830 (Tue).

Accommodation classes and coach composition: 01 AC 2 tier, 02 AC 3 tier, 12 Sleeper Coaches, 05 General Second class, 02 SLRs (22 coaches).

Route and stoppages: SMM Haveri, Davangere, Birur, Arsikere Jn, Tumakuru, SMVT Bengaluru, Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet Jn, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur, Podanur Jn, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town (North), Kottayam, Changanasserry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kayamkulam Jn, Karunagappally, Sasthamkotta.

Sabarimala Special Trains (2024-25) from Hyderabad

Timetables of Sabarimala Specials from Hyderabad to various Sabarimala stations in Kerala

Departs fromDays of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain NoCoachesRouteDeparts HyderabadDeparts intermediate
station
Arrives Ernakulam ERNArrives Kottayam KTYMArrives Chengannur CNGRArrives Kollam QLN
Hyderabad Decan Nampally HYBSaturdaysMay 24 – Nov 15, 22, 29, Dec 06, 13, 20, 27, Jan 03, 10, 17.0719301.1A+2A, 02.2A, 06.3A, 09.SL, 04.GSNadikude, Guntur, Renigunta, Tirupati2310 (Sun) HYB0540 GNT0210032504100710

Timetables of Sabarimala Specials from Hyderabad to various Sabarimala stations in Kerala

Departs fromDays of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain NoCoachesRouteDeparts Kollam QLNDeparts
Chengannur CNGR
Departs
Kottayam
KTYM
Departs
Ernakulam Town
ERN
Departs intermediate
station
Arrives Hyderabad
Kollam QLNMondaysMay 26 – Nov 17, 24, Dec 01, 08, 15, 23, 30, Jan 05, 12, 190719401.1A+2A, 02.2A, 06.3A, 09.SL, 04.GSTirupati, Nellore. Guntur, Nadikude1045 (Mon)1150122713401045 (Tue)1730 (Tue) Hyderabad Decan Nampally HYB

Route and stoppages: Secunderabad, Nalgonda, Miryalaguda, Nadikude, Piduguralla, Sattenapalle, Guntur Jn, Tenali, Bapatla, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Renigunta, Tirupati, Chittoor, Kadpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam North (Town), Kottayam, Changanasserry, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kayamkulam Jn, Karunagappally, Sasthamkotta.

Sabarimala Special Trains (2024-25) from Coastal Andhra Pradesh

All Sabarimala special trains announced to run from various Coastal Andhra towns run via Vijayawada. The trains currently announced to run are:

Timetables of Sabarimala Specials from Coastal Andhra to various Sabarimala stations in Kerala

Departs fromDays of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain NoCoachesRouteDeparts OriginDeparts Vijayawada
BZA
Arrives Ernakulam ERNArrives Kottayam KTYMArrives Chengannur CNGRArrives Kollam QLN
Kakinada Town
CCT
MondaysNov 17, 24, Dec 01, 08 15, 22, 29, Jan 05, 12, 19. 0710901.1A, 02.2A, 06.3A, 08.SL, 02.UR.Rajamundry, Nellore, Tirupati1300 CCT15271550 (Tue)1730
Machilipatnam MTMFridaysNov 14, 21, 28, Dec 26. Jan 02.0710101.1A2A, 04.2A, 02.3A, 10.SL, 02.URNellore1630 MTM18201730 (Sat)183719202200
Machilipatnam MTMFridaysDec 05, 12, 19. Jan 06, 16.0710301.1A2A, 04.2A, 02.3A, 10.SL, 02.URGuntur, Nandyal, Proddatur, Kadapa1100 MTM12501730 (Sat)183719202200
Narasapur
NS
SundaysNov 16, 23, 30, Dec 04, 14, 21, 28, Jan 4, 11, 18.0710501.2A, 02.3A, 14.SL, 04.URBhimavaram, Nellore1330 NS15001730 (Mon)183719202200

Timetables of Sabarimala Specials from Kerala (Sabarimala stations) to various Coastal Andhra towns

Departs fromDays of ServiceDates of ServiceTrain NoCoachesRouteDeparts Kollam QLNDeparts
Chengannur CNGR
Departs
Kottayam
KTYM
Departs
Ernakulam Town
ERN
Arrives Vijayawada BZAArrives Destination
Kollam QLNSundaysNov 16, 23, 30, Dec 28, Jan 04.0710201.1A2A, 04.2A, 02.3A, 10.SL, 02.URNellore, Gudiwada02300327040505350345 (Mon)0800 MTM
Kollam QLNSundaysDec 07, 14, 21, Jan 11, 18.0710401.1A2A, 04.2A, 02.3A, 10.SL, 02.URKadapa, Prodattur, Nandyal, Guntur02300327040505350905 (Mon)1230 MTM
Kollam QLNTuesdaysNov 18, 25, Dec 02, 19, 16, 23, 30, Jan 06, 13, 20. 0710601.2A, 02.3A, 14.SL, 04.URNellore, Bhimavaram02300327040505350345 (Wed)0700 NS
Kottayam KTYMTuesdaysNov 18, 25, Dec 02, 19, 16, 23, 30, Jan 06, 13, 20. 0711001.2A, 02.3A, 14.SL, 04.URTirupati, Nellore233022001845 (Wed)2300 CCT

Details of more Sabarimala special trains for 2025-26 will be updated as and when they are announced.

Updated as of 23:30 on 11/11/2025.


Information provided here is only indicative in nature and please always confirm all information with official sources before relying on them (Contact your nearest railway station or call 139 or visit the official website of Indian Railways). This website is not an official website of the Indian Railways but is run by a railway enthusiast. The official website of the railways is http://indianrailways.gov.in.

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