Sabarimala - ശബരിമല

The shrine of Lord Ayyappa or Dharma sastha on the Sabari hills on western ghats attracts lakhs of devotees. According to Puranas, Lord, Vishnu once appeared as Mohini and Siva succumbed to Her beauty. Since Ayyappa was born of their union, He is known as Harihara Putra. His other name is Manikantan as he had a golden bell round his neck when he was found by the King of Pandalam on the banks of Pampa. This divine boy is said to have vanquished demoness mahishi in the sabari hills. Parasurama had installed five devi deities along the seashore and five sastha images along the hilly tracts. Sastha is depicted in different stages of life in these five temples. At Kulathupuzha, he is represented as a child, at Ariyankavu as a Brahmachari, at achancoil as a Grihastha with His consorts Poorna and Pushkala, at Sabarimala as Vanaprastha and at Ponnambalmedu or Kantamalai, as yogi.