The Sabarimala Temple

The Sabarimala Temple, the place where Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi, is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. The Sabarimala temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m above mean sea level, and is surrounded by 18 mountains and dense forests. The temple is reached by climbing a flight of 18 steps covered in gold that signify different aspects of human nature and a devotee who crosses these 18 steps is said to have attained "Punyadarshanam". In January every year, thousands of devotees gather at Sabarimala to view the "Makaravilaku", “Makarajyothi” or divine flame that is visible during one particular day of the Makara star. The Sabarimala Temple is one of the most popular Hindu Pilgrim centre in South India. Sabarimala, Kerala can be reached by Air from Trivandrum (170 kilometers) or Cochin (200 kilometers) and then by bus, by Rail getting at Kottayam and Chengannur and then by bus and by Road Sabarimala is well connected to Kerala, Andhra, Tamilanadu, Karnataka by a wide network of roads. A lot of locals visit Sabarimala pilgrimage by walking long distances.