Ayodhya Mandapam, West Mambalam, Chennai
Ayodhya Mandapam is a very popular landmark in West
Mambalam area in Chennai, the gateway city to South India. Ayodhya
Mandapam is common meeting hall type of building-structure specifically
made for the purpose of Sath-Sangham (Association of like-minded or common
interest on religious development/discourses). The mandapam is managed by Sri
Ram Samaj. who also operate Mithilapuri Kalyana Mandapam - a marriage hall, Sri
Sitaram Vidyalaya school and Gnanavapi - a place for conducting funeral rites.
History
The Mandapam was constructed in 1964 and initially it
was thrown open to the Iyers of Mambalam (a set of Brahmin Community). Later it
was made available for all the other communities. Till now it is known for the
association/meeting point for Brahmin community. In January 2014, this society
was taken over by HR & CE department of Tamil Nadu Government. After
protest by the General public, the Chief Justice of Madras High Court stayed
the proceedings of the Tamil Nadu Government.
Ayodhya Mandapam
Ayodhya Mandapam is a public hall meant for religious
gathering, conducting Hindu rituals/functions and conducting Vedic/Puranic
discourses. Ayodhya Mandapam was built in 1964. The main shrine of Mandapam has
the bronze idols (Utsava idols) of Ram, Lakshman and Sita. The picture
depicting the Pattabhisheka ceremony of Ram is also placed in the main shrine.
There are also two small shrines for Hanuman and Shankara Paduka. Steel
foldable chairs have been placed in neat rows to seat all those who come every
evening at five to chant Vishnu Sahasranamam. This chanting has been going on
every evening without fail for very many years.
Activities
Periodic discourses on Vedas and Upanishads as
well as several cultural meet-outs are handled throughout the year. In the
month of March–April of every year, programmes in connection to Rama
Navami Maha-Utsavam is very special at Ayodhya
Mandapam.
Contact
Ayodhya Ashwamedha Maha Mandapam,
47, Arya Gowder Road,
West Mambalam, Chennai – 600 033
Phone: +91 44 2489 3077
/ 2345 1600 / 04
Email: sriramsamaj@gmail.com
Web: www.sriramsamaj.org
Connectivity
The Mandapam is
located in Arya Gowder Road, West Mambalam, Chennai. The Mandapam is on the main road near
Ayodhya Mandapam Bus Stop. The Mandapam
is located at about 1.5 Kms from Ashok Pillar, 2.5 Kms from Saidapet Railway
Station, 1 Km from Mambalam Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Ashok Nagar Metro
Station, 1.5 Kms from T Nagar Bus Terminus, 5 Kms from Guindy, 2 Kms from T
Nagar, 11 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 8 Kms from Koyambedu Mofussil
Bus Terminus, 8 Kms from Egmore Railway Station and 10 Kms from Chennai
Airport.
West Mambalam is served by Mambalam Railway station (the
busiest station after Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram), providing access
to Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram. The nearest bus terminus is T.
Nagar. The bus service connects the area to K.K. Nagar, Vadapalani,
Iyappanthangal, Poonamallee, T. Nagar and Broadway (via Postal Colony),
Mylapore and Vallalar Nagar (via Rangarajapuram) and Saligramam (via Brindavan
Street), West Saidapet and Besant Nagar (via Mettupalayam). Other less frequent
services connect the area to Taramani, Guindy Industrial Estate, Pattabiram,
Tollgate and Kundrathur. Addition to that Small bus operated between Ashok
Pillar to Liberty via 4th and 7th avenue of Ashok Nagar, Ayodhya Mandapam,
Rangarajapuram. Nearest Metro Rail Station is Ashok Nagar.