Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, located on Sabari Mala hill in the Western Ghats of Kerala, in Pathanamthitta district. The temple sits in a forested hill setting and is one of the largest annual pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting millions of devotees.

Pilgrims undertake a 41-day vratham prior to visiting the temple, during which men vow celibacy and vegetarian diet, abstain from alcohol and tobacco, and observe daily disciplined rituals. Pilgrims travel to Pamba and proceed to the hill shrine, carrying an Irumudi—a two-compartment cloth bundle containing offerings for the temple. The journey often involves adherence to a prescribed dress code and other preparatory rules.

The temple is primarily associated with Mandala Puja and the Makara Sankranti festival. The Mandala season typically runs from mid-November to mid-January, with a peak during Makara Jyothi, a widely observed celestial symbol associated with the hill.

Historically, the temple restricted entry by women of menstruating age, a policy that became a focal point of national debate. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that women of all ages could enter the temple, overturning the earlier practice; the decision led to protests and ongoing legal and administrative contention. The status of temple practices continues to be contested and subject to regulatory decisions.

The temple is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The Sabarimala pilgrimage is a significant cultural and religious event in Kerala, characterized by a complex set of rituals, beliefs, and social dimensions.