Saturday, April 27, 2019

Ayyappan Temple, Anna Nagar, Chennai

Ayyappan Temple, Anna Nagar, Chennai
Ayyappan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappan located in Anna Nagar, a well-known locality in Chennai City, Tamil Nadu. The Temple is located at the junction of 6th Main Road and 2nd Avenue in Anna Nagar. It is the most popular Ayyappa Temple in Chennai. The temple is being visited by a large number of devotees. This Temple is about 25 years old and was built in Kerala architecture style. In 1998, the temple won the Mylapore Academy Award for the best maintained temple in Chennai.


History
When Anna Nagar was developed as a model town in the late 1960s, the annual Vilakku pooja during mandala makara Vilakku season was celebrated by Ayyappa devotees in the newly formed Shanti Colony. The residents response to this annual celebration resulted in the formation of the Sri Ayyappa Seva Samajam (SASS) in 1976, with 14 members in its committee. In 1979, the Samajam started a charitable medical centre for the poor and needy. The same year, a 7-ground land near the Visveswarayya Tower was allotted to the Samajam by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board for the construction of a temple, for which members contributed Rs 38,000 towards initial payment. 

Initially, a makeshift temple was built in a thatched shed along with a charitable medical centre in another shed. Work on the construction of a permanent temple continued for the next five years in consultation with temple architect Kanipayyur Krishnan Namboodri. The construction was guided by P. N. Subramaniam, the founder-president, P. Chandrasekhara Menon, the second president, and P. V. Nair, and financial support was provided by R. Ratnam, then chairman of Sundaram Industries, and P. Velayudham. 

In May 1984, the typical Kerala-style temple was completed, conforming to the traditional shastraic stipulations. The Kumbabishekam and consecration of the idol were performed on 13 May 1984 by temple Thantri Abli Krishna Vadhyan Namboodri and K. M. Kesava Battatripad, former chief priest of the Sabarimala Temple. The Panchaloha Ayyappan idol was made by Chengannur T. Rajarathinam. Idols of Ganesha, Subramanya, Goddess Durga, and Anjaneya were also consecrated.

Later, a Navagraha (the nine planets) shrine was added in the temple. In 1989, a unique architectural structure known as the Natamandapam with an imposing gopuram was added. In 2005, gold covering of the 22-paras (segments) Dwajasthambam and 27 thazhikakudams with about 6 kg of gold was completed. A special Kumbabishekam of the gold-covered Dwajasthambam was performed on 20 June 2005.

The Temple
The temple is built on a 40-cent land near the Visveswaraya Tower. The main door at the entrance is covered with brass plates. The main sanctum of Lord Ayyappa faces west with Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya to the left and Goddess Durga to the right, all facing east. The Navagraha shrine is located on the southeast corner of the temple and the Anjaneya shrine is located in the southwest corner, facing east. 


There is an auditorium, named after Sri Adi Sankara, covering about 3,600 sq. ft, which can accommodate about 1,000 persons, for conducting spiritual and cultural programmes and discourses. The design of the auditorium involves the Koothambalam style found in Kerala temples. There is a canteen and a dining hall in the Samajam premises.


Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 05:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 04:45PM to 09:00 PM.
Festivals
The annual temple festival is celebrated during the second week of December. Other annual celebrations include the Arrattu procession (when the Utsava moorthy is carried from the temple to the Marina Beach), Pradhishta Dinam, Panguni Uthiram, Navarathri, Skanda Shasti, Vinayaka Chaturthi and Rama Navami. Kotiarchana is performed every fourth year by Ayyappa devotees observing Vratham (fasting).
Contact
Ayyappan Temple,
Plot No. C-45, 2nd Avenue, (New No.X 42, 6 th Main Road),
Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600 040
Phone: +91 44 2621 3282 / 2619 4623
Web: annanagarayyappatemple.org
Connectivity
The Temple is located on Plot no.C-45, Second Avenue (New No.X42 6 th Main Road), Anna Nagar, Chennai. The Temple is situated besides Anna Nagar Ayyappan Koil Bus Stop. The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Anna Nagar Tower Metro Station, 600 meters from Anna Nagar East Metro Station, 2 Kms from Thirumangalam Metro Station, 2 Kms from Thirumangalam Junction Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, 8 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 9 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station and 21 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple can be easily reached easily either by public transport or by auto rickshaw/taxi, as the temple is located in a prime location of Chennai. 
Location