Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, situated atop Sabarimala hill at an altitude of 914 meters in the Western Ghats, is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting an estimated 40-50 million devotees annually. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the celibate deity also known as Dharmasastha. Devotees must observe a strict 41-day 'vratham' (penance) before undertaking the pilgrimage, which involves trekking through dense forest terrain. The temple is unique in that it is open only during specific seasons - Mandalam (November-December), Makaravilakku (January), and Vishu (April).