TGSRTC announces special buses to Sabarimala for 2026-27 season

TGSRTC has announced special bus services to Sabarimala for the 2026-27 pilgrimage season. Services will operate during the Mandala Pooja and Makara Vilakku festivals, with travel concessions for Guruswamis and support staff. Online bookings and helpline numbers are available.

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has announced special bus services to Sabarimala for the 2026-27 pilgrimage season, facilitating devotees travelling to the hill shrine during the ‘Mandala Pooja’ and ‘Makara Vilakku’ festivals.

According to the schedule, special services for the Mandala Pooja season will operate from November 16 to December 27, 2026, while services for the Makara Vilakku season will run from December 30, 2026, to January 20, 2027.

---

As part of the arrangements, TGSRTC has announced several concessions for pilgrims. Guruswamis will be allowed to travel free of charge if they book a bus for devotees. Those booking multiple buses will be entitled to free travel in one bus, while commission will be paid for the remaining buses at the rate applicable to ATB and TGSRTC employees, amounting to Rs 350 per bus per day.

The corporation will also provide free travel to two cooks, two Manikantas below 10 years of age and one luggage attendant, without separate seating arrangements.

In another relief to pilgrims, the Kerala government has exempted TGSRTC contract carriage buses operating to Sabarimala from border tax.

Devotees can book their buses through the TGSRTC website, www.tgsrtcbus.in.

For further information and bookings, pilgrims can contact 040-69440000 or 040-23450033.