Sabarimala Declared an Approved Pilgrimage Site – Cabinet Approval

14-Aug-2025

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The Cabinet has approved the proposal to declare the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, India, as an officially recognized pilgrimage site for Sri Lanka, and to provide facilities including easier transport and visa arrangements for devotees. 

Minister Nalintha Jayathissa, Cabinet Spokesman, explained that the decision primarily aims to improve transportation and visa services for devotees.

Every year, over 15,000 Hindu devotees from Sri Lanka travel between November 1 and January 31 to visit the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple in Kerala. 

With the new decision, the pilgrimage will be officially recognized by the Sri Lankan government, following a proposal by the Minister of Buddhist Affairs, Religious, and Cultural Affairs.