This chapter provides the details of all Sabarimala special trains for 2024-25. These are festival/holiday special train services announced by various zones of the Indian Railways on the occasion of this year’s Sabarimala pilgrimage season of 2024-25.
The Sabarimala pilgrimage is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Ayyappan to the shrine consecrated in his name at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Located on a mountaintop in the jungles of the Western Ghats, devotees have to reach the shrine by foot in an observation of penance. The trek to the shrine (“Sannidhanam”) starts at the Pampa river at the foothills of the mountain, after a dip in the river. The Sabarimala pilgrimage season extends over the months of November, December and January.
Devotees to Sabarimala typically hail from the southern Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The shrine or the foothills at Pampa do not have direct rail access. The alighting points for the devotees arriving by train are Chengannur, Kottayam or Ernakulam in that order with the first (CNGR) being the major alighting point. Devotees then can travel to Pampa by KSRTC buses available 24 hours from the railway stations. All trains catering to Sabarimala devotees hence run via Kottayam, terminating at either Kottayam or Kollam which is the next station after Chengannur with terminal facilities. Most special trains during the Sabarimala season are announced by the three southern railway zones: Southern Railway, South Western Railway and South Central Railway.
Given below are all the Sabarimala special trains announced for the year 2024-25. Sabarimala special trains also tend to double up as holiday special trains to Kerala from Bangalore or Hyderabad or Chennai during the Christmas and New Year season.
Note: All Sabarimala special trains are special fare trains that charge 1.3x (30%) more over regular fares.
Sabarimala Special Trains (2024-25) from Bangalore/Karnataka
06083/06084 Trivandrum North – SMVT Bengaluru – Trivandrum North Holiday Special (SR)
Doubles up as a Christmas / New Year special train between Kerala and Bangalore for 2024 in addition to being a Sabarimala special train. Traditionally there have only rarely been special trains run during the Christmas holidays by Southern Railways. This train is run using the lie-over rakes of the 16319/20 Humsafar Express.
- 06083 Sabarimala/Christmas/New Year special from Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli) KCVL to SMVT Bengaluru via Kottayam will run on Tuesdays November 12, 19, 26, December 03, 10, 17, 24, 31, and January 07, 14, 28 2025. Abstract Timetable: Departs KCVL: 1805, QLN: 1910, CNGR: 2012, KTYM: 2107, ERN: 2215, TCR: 2340, PGT: 0100 (Wed), PTJ: 0200, SA: 0517, arrives KJM: 0930, SMVB: 1055 (Wed).
- 06083 Sabarimala/Christmas/New Year special express from SMVT Benagluru to Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli) KCVL via Kottayam will run on Wednesdays November 13, 20, 27, December 04, 11, 18, 25, and January 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 2025. Abstract Timetable: Departs SMVB: 1245, KJM: 1255, SA: 1700, PTJ: 2020, PGT: 2120, TCR: 2358, ERN: 0135 (Thu), KTYM: 0243, CNGR: 0330, QLN: 0443, arrives KCVL: 0645 (Thu).
Accommodation Classes and Coach Composition: 17 Humsafar AC 3 tier, 02 Sleeper Coaches, 01 Pantry Car (locked), 02 EOGs
Route and Stoppages: Kollam Jn, Kayamkulam Jn, Mavelikara, Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Changanasserry, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ernakulam Town (North), Aluva, Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur Jn, Tiruppur, Erode Jn, Salem Jn, Bangarapet Jn, Krishnarajapuram.
07371/07372 SSS Hubballi – Kottayam – SSS Hubballi Sabarimala Special (SWR)
Another service this time by South Western Railway that doubles up as a Christmas / New Year holiday special train between north Karnataka and Bangalore and Kerala for 2024.
- 07371 Sabarimala and Holidays special train from SSS Hubballi (Hubli) UBL Karnataka to Kottayam KTYM via Bangalore will run on Tuesdays November 19, 26, December 03, 10, 17, 24, 31, and January 07, 14 2025. Abstract Timetable: Departs UBL: 1515 (Tue), DVG: 1722, ASK: 1945. BAW: 2135, SMVB: 2310, KJM: 2325, SA: 0315, PTJ: 0630, PGT: 0745, TCR: 0905, arrives ERN: 1035, KTYM: 1200 (Wed).
- 07372 Sabarimala and Holidays Special train from Kottayam KTYM to SSS Hubballi (Hubli) UBL Karnataka via Bangalore will run on Wednesdays November 20, 27, December 04, 11, 18, 25, and January 01, 08, 15 2025. Abstract Timetable: Departs KTYM: 1500 (Wed), arrives UBL: 1250 (Thu).
Accommodation classes and coach composition: 02 AC 2 tier, 02 AC 3 tier, 06 Sleeper Coaches, 06 General Second class, 02 SLRs (18 coaches).
Route and stoppages: Haveri, Ranibennur, Harihar, Davangere, Birur, Arsikere Jn, Tumakuru, Chikkabanavara, SMVT Bengaluru, Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet Jn, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur, Podanur In, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town (North), Ettumanur.
Details of more Sabarimala special trains for 2024-25 will be updated as and when they are announced.
Updated as of 23:00 on 11/11/2024.
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.
