Sabarimala - the hilltop shrine in Kerala

The temple of Sabarimala (shabarimala) in Kerala, South India, dedicated to the Lord Ayyappa or Dharma Shasta, situated atop the Sabari hills in the Western Ghats mountain ranges, in the district of Pathanamthitta.

With more than 40 million pilgrims visiting the shrine every year, it is believed to be one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the world. It is situated on the banks of the River Pamba.

The temple opens only seasonally, the most popular season being the two months from the middle of November to the middle of January, culminating on the day of makaravilakku. The temple will open again around April 14th, during the festival of Vishu and also on the first five days of all Malayalam months.