Mount Sabari or Sabarimala the holy abode of lord Ayyappa is situated in the midst of 18 hills in the Sahyadri mountain ranges (Western ghats). Mount Sabari is named after an old woman, mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana, who attained salvation after her meeting with Lord Rama.
The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m (1,535 ft) above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. . It is believed that the deity of the temple was consecrated by Lord Parasurama at the foot of Sabari hills, reference to this is said to have been made in Ramayana. According to legends, this is the location where the Hindu God Ayyappa meditated after annihilating the most dreaded demon Mahishi.
According to the Malayalam calendar, one can see millions of people flocking this place in the holy months of November-December, which is the Mandalakala season. This is an annual pilgrim season, and devotees form throng Sabarimala all over India and abroad, irrespective of their classes, castes and financial backgrounds.
Source:
http://traditional-india.blogspot.in/2008/01/mount-sabari.html
http://indianmandirs.blogspot.in/2014/02/sabarimala-sree-ayyappa-swamy-temple.html