Sabarimala is an ancient Hindu temple located on the Sabarimala hills in the district of Pathanamthitta in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop, at an altitude of 1260 m above the sea level, is surrounded by hills and dense forest. The temple is dedicated to celibate deity Lord Ayyappa, who is also known as Dharma Shastha. It is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in India with 10 to 15 million devotees visiting the temple every year.

Every year, the temple is open for worship during the days of ‘Mandalapuja’ in Novermber-December, Makaravilakku, Vishu and first 5 days of every Malayalam month.  As a customary practice, every devotee must observe 41 days of ‘vratha’ (penance) and celibacy before going to Sabarimala.  Every pilgrim needs to climb 18 sacred steps in the stairway before entering the sanctum sanctorum. No pilgrim without the ‘Irumudikkettu’ can ascend the 18 sacred steps. All pilgrims commonly wear blue or black clothes from the start of the ‘Vratha’ till the completion of the Sabarimala darshan.