| Lahai | |
| Other Name: | Gateway to Sabarimala poongavanam |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Pushpin Map: | India Kerala#India |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Kerala, India |
| Coordinates: | 9.3686°N 76.9069°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kerala |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Pathanamthitta |
| Government Type: | Panchayath |
| Governing Body: | Perunad panchayath |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 910 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Malayalam, English |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 689662 |
| Area Code: | 04735 |
| Registration Plate: | KL-62, KL-03 |
Lahai, also spelt Laha is a remote settlement located in the north eastern part of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India.This is the place from which the sacred grove (Poongavanam) of Lord Ayyappa begins.
Lahai lies about 3000feet above mean sea level, predominantly a hilly region or Malanad. The place is covered by thick forests of Ranni division.[1]
The average population is about 3000 people. The major revenue is from Lahai Rubber estate which was established by British in early 1900s with 10000acres of land.
Lahai experiences a tropical climate as in many parts of Kerala. Significant amount of rainfall occurs during the months of June, July and August. Humidity is comparatively less here with an average annual temperature of about 29.37°C. The average annual precipitation is 2407mm. The months of January and February receives low rainfall. Temperature falls in December and January to 20°C. March, April and May are the hottest months in the year.
Lahai is blessed with naturally beautiful landscapes and with tropical rain forests of Ranni forest division. The Sabarimala forest (Poongavanam) begins from Lahai. Most important fact is that the uphill road to Sabarimala ends at Lahai and become level road all the way to Sabarimala.
The famous Sabarigiri Hydro electric Project in 1960s had built heavy equipment transportation road to Moozhiyar Power House. This road now exclusively used by pilgrims to Sabarimala.
Lahai is a historical place in many regards. The Sabarimala Thiruvabharanam procession comes to Lahai forest Bungalow, stays overnight and continues to Sabarimala temple. The famous St. Thomas Pilgrim Church at Nilakkal is 10miles away from Lahai Junction.