Ayyappan Temple

Ayyappan Temple

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The Ayyappan Temple at Raja Annamalaipuram is a popular pilgrim centre of Chennai. The temple is a fine example of the Kerala style of temple architecture and is built on the lines of the revered Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Constructed on a site donated by Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar of Chettinad and maintained by his illustrious son, M. A. M. Ramaswami, the temple has a beautiful Panchaloha idol of the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala. Sri Guruvayurappan, Sri Devi are also enshrined here. The temple priests are Keralites who conduct puja in the traditional Keralite fashion. Like the original temple at Sabarimala, this temple also has 18 steps leading up to it. Unlike the temple in Sabarimala, which remains closed for most of the year except during festival time, the temple at Rajah Annamalaipuram is open throughout the year. The temple has sub-shrines dedicated to Sri Maha Ganapathi, Sri Nagaraja, Sri Maligaipurathu Amman (Manja Matha), and other "Parivara Devatas". Mandala Puja is the main festival when devotees throng to the temple to offer prayers. The temple comes alive with music performances, religious discourses and cultural events during festivals and other important days.