Sabarimala (lang-ml??????, lang-ta ???????) is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located in the Western Ghat (Western Ghats) mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi. Lord Ayyappans temple is situated here amidst of 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 914m above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples exists in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, and Karimala, remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.

Sabarimala is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world with an estimated 45 - 50 million devotees coming every year. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a singular example of one where pilgrims, without consideration of religion, caste, creed, position or social status, go with one aim, one desire and one mantra that is Lord Ayyappa. However no female between the age group of 10 - 50 are allowed to enter the temple. Among many other reasons the fact that core story attributed to Lord Ayyappa prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. This is because Ayyappan is a Bramachari. The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (Approximately November 15 to December 26), Makaravilakku (January 14- "Makara Sankranti") and Vishu (April 14), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.