Sabarimala temple is one of the most famous temple in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India, located in the Periyar tiger reserve. The site of the largest annual pilgrimage in the world is attended every year by millions of devotees. The thick forest around the temple is known as Poongavanam (Periyar Tiger Reserve). There are temples in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala.
The Sabarimala shrine is an ancient Ayyappa temple, who is also known as Sasta and Dharmasasta.
The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (approximately 15-November to 26-December), Makaravilakku or “Makara Sankranti” (14 January) and Maha Vishuva Sankranti (14 April), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.