menu_bookPilgrim Preparation

Guides

Everything pilgrims need to know before they leave home.

Before You Enter

Dress Code

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Men

Dhoti or full trousers with a kurta or shirt are safest. Many temples discourage shorts, sleeveless vests, and jeans near the sanctum (inner shrine). At some temples, notably Sabarimala and several Kerala shrines such as Padmanabhaswamy, men remove the upper garment before entry; rules vary by temple, so confirm locally.

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Women

Saree, salwar-kameez, or churidar are always appropriate. Many temples prefer traditional dress and discourage shorts or short skirts. Head covering is expected at some temples (Gurudwaras, certain Devi shrines). A dupatta or scarf is useful to carry.

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Footwear

Remove footwear before entering. At some large temples this is well before the main shrine, so expect a barefoot walk. Wear easy-to-remove sandals. Cloakrooms are usually available and may charge a small fee.

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Sabarimala

By tradition, pilgrims wear black or dark-blue (some also wear saffron) during the 41-day vrata (period of religious preparation), from deeksha (the formal start of the vow) until they return from the yatra. Follow the observances as guided locally.

Packing Light

What to Carry

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Cloth jhola (shoulder bag) or small bag

Leather bags, belts and wallets are often not allowed inside the inner shrine. Leave them at the cloakroom or in your vehicle, or check the temple's rule.

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Valid photo ID

Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID. Needed for booking at Tirupati (SED), Ram Mandir (Sugam e-pass), Vaishno Devi (yatra registration slip), and Kedarnath registration.

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Small cash (₹100–300)

For prasad (blessed food), flowers, lamps, and donations. UPI works at most large temples now, but smaller shrines and cloakrooms are often cash-only.

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Mobile phone bag

Phones are not allowed inside the inner shrine at most Jyotirlingas and major temples. Allow extra time for cloakroom deposit and collection.

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Water and light snacks

Queues at Tirupati, Kedarnath, and Vaishno Devi can be long, often several hours at peak times. Carry water. Many temples do not permit outside food or non-veg items on the premises; check locally.

Avoid Scams · Book Official

Booking Your Visit

Most major temples offer official darshan booking or registration, often free, through their own website or a government portal. Third-party sites selling "VIP passes" or "priority darshan" for cash are best avoided; use the official channel and confirm current rules before you travel.

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Tirupati (TTD)

ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in

Special Entry Darshan (SED) tickets, usually ₹300, are released online in advance. Sarva Darshan is free, and TTD may also issue free Slotted Sarva Darshan (SSD) tokens with assigned entry times. Check the current system and quota only on the official TTD portal.

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Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

srjbtkshetra.org

Darshan is completely FREE. The Sugam e-pass is free to book online. Any website charging for a "VIP pass" is a fraud. Do not pay.

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Vaishno Devi

maavaishnodevi.org

Free yatra registration is required before starting the climb from Katra and is available online or at the Katra registration counter. The track is about 12–14 km each way. Confirm the current process on the official Shrine Board site.

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Sabarimala

travancoredevaswomboard.org

Online Virtual-Q booking is mandatory for Sabarimala pilgrims. Use the current Sabarimala booking link provided by the Travancore Devaswom Board and follow the date and time on your booking.

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Kedarnath

registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

Registration is mandatory for the Kedarnath yatra. Helicopter tickets can be booked only at heliyatra.irctc.co.in, the portal linked by BKTC. Do not pay unofficial agents or use a general IRCTC page.

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Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Aarti

Official booking portal

Bhasma Aarti has limited daily slots and books out well ahead. Apply online (or at the temple counter) roughly 30 days in advance. Confirm the current booking process and quota before you travel.

Conduct at Sacred Sites

Temple Etiquette

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Pradakshina means walking clockwise around the deity or inner shrine. A few temples have their own custom, so follow local practice.

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Speak softly or maintain silence inside the inner shrine. No phone calls or loud conversations. Chanting mantras softly is welcome.

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Photography is prohibited inside the main shrine at almost all temples. Look for posted signs and confirm before raising your camera. Many temples require phones to be deposited before the sanctum.

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Accept prasad with your right hand or both hands. It is customary to receive prasad respectfully rather than decline it. Do not waste it; consume it or pass it on respectfully.

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Queue discipline is sacred. No cutting lines or pushing. Temple security and volunteers actively enforce this; violations can result in removal from the queue.

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Wash hands and feet before entering the inner sanctum where facilities are available. Many temples have foot-washing troughs at the entrance.

Himalayan & Forest Pilgrimages

Trek & Yatra Planning

Kedarnath (16 km)

Moderate

Begin 3–4 weeks before with regular walks on varied terrain. Kedarnath is at 3,583m, so altitude sickness is possible. Uttarakhand's health advisory recommends allowing time to acclimatise, taking frequent breaks, and planning enough time for the wider Char Dham journey.

tips_and_updatesPony, palki or doli (a carried seat), and helicopter services are available. Book helicopter tickets only through heliyatra.irctc.co.in and check current health and weather advice before travel.

Tungnath (3.5 km)

Moderate

The trail is short but steep in places and reaches high altitude, climbing from Chopta (2,680m) to about 3,680m. It is manageable for most pilgrims with basic fitness by taking short rest stops.

tips_and_updatesCombine with Chandrashila summit (+1.5 km) for a 360° Himalayan panorama. Best done early morning.

Sabarimala (5 km forest)

Moderate–Strenuous

By tradition, pilgrims complete the 41-day vrata before the yatra. Forest trek through steep steps. Most demanding during the November–January peak season when crowds are heaviest.

tips_and_updatesComplete the mandatory Virtual-Q booking before travel. Follow the time on your booking and the current footwear, route, crowd and entry instructions issued locally.

Vaishno Devi (12–14 km)

Moderate

Long but well-paved trail with rest points. Many pilgrims complete the return journey in 8–12 hours. Pony, palki, and (on parts of the track) battery-vehicle options are available.

tips_and_updatesStart by 3–4 AM for the return journey in daylight. The Bhairon Temple (+1.5 km from main cave) is traditionally visited on the descent.

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