The Sabarimala Shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Also known as Dharma Sastha, Lord Ayyappa is who is considered a symbol of unity between the Vaishnavites and Saivites, his origin being traced to a union of Siva and Vishnu under special circumstances. The Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the most important centres of pilgrimage.

Devotees who wish to undertake the pilgrimage must observe strict austerities and undergo forty-one days ' Vritham' (penance) consisting of strict celibacy, morning and evening ablutions, growing of beard and daily prayers.

January 14, every year synchronising with the day of Sankramom (crossing of the sun from Dhakshinayana to Uttarayana) is the most important festival day of the temple. On this day the pilgrims flock to the temple. During the entire pilgrimage, all distinctions of caste and class are forgotten

The various temple festivals of Kerala are:

Kerala Temple Festivals

Arattu at Thiruvananthapuram Ambalapuzha Arattu Aranmula Uthrittathi Ashtami at Vaikom Attukal Ponkala Kuthiyottam & Kettukazhcha Ettumanoor Festival Guruvayoor Festivals Haripad Temple Festival Kanathurakavu Uthsavam Kodungalloor Bharani Uthsavamn Koodalmanickam Uthsavam Lokanarkavu Uthsavam Mannarsala Uthsavam Thrissur Pooram Sabarimala Shrine Sarkara Bharani & Kaliyoottu Sivagiri Mutt Sundareswara Temple Festival Thitunakkara Uthsavam Thiruvathira Uthra Seeveli in Thiruvalla temple Varkkala Janardhana Swami Temple Arattu

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