Anna Nagar Ayyappan Temple, Chennai

Address

Anna Nagar Ayyappan Temple, 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

Diety

Ayyappan

Introduction

The Ayyappan Temple in Anna Nagar, Chennai, is a well-known and popular place of worship dedicated to Lord Ayyappan. The temple is located at the junction of 6th Main Road and 2nd Avenue in Anna Nagar, a prominent locality in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Puranic Significance

Architectural Style: The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architecture style. It reflects the art and architecture of Kerala temples, and it is known for its distinctive design.

History and Development:

The temple is approximately 25 years old and has a rich history. It was built in consultation with the temple architect Kanipayyur Krishnan Namboodri.
The Sri Ayyappa Seva Samajam (SASS) was established in 1976 as a response to the annual Vilakku pooja celebration during the mandala makara Vilakku season in the Shanti Colony of Anna Nagar.
The SASS started a charitable medical center for the poor and needy in 1979.
The Tamil Nadu Housing Board allotted a 7-ground land near the Visveswarayya Tower in Anna Nagar to the Samajam for the construction of the temple.

Construction and Consecration:

Initially, a makeshift temple was built in a thatched shed, along with a charitable medical center.
Over the years, work on the construction of a permanent temple took place, and the temple’s design adhered to traditional shastraic stipulations.
The Kumbabishekam (consecration) and consecration of the idol took place on 13 May 1984.
The Panchaloha Ayyappan idol in the temple was made by Chengannur T. Rajarathinam.

Special Features

Architectural Features:

The temple follows the traditional Kerala temple architectural style, with the main sanctum of Lord Ayyappa facing west.
The temple complex includes idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Durga, and Lord Anjaneya, each facing east.
There is also a Navagraha (the nine planets) shrine and an Anjaneya shrine within the temple premises.

Special Features:

In 1989, a unique architectural structure known as the Natamandapam with an imposing gopuram (entrance tower) was added to the temple.
In 2005, the 22-paras (segments) Dwajasthambam and 27 thazhikakudams (decorative features) were covered with approximately 6 kg of gold. A special Kumbabishekam of the gold-covered Dwajasthambam was performed on 20 June 2005.
The temple complex includes an auditorium named after Sri Adi Sankara, which can accommodate around 1,000 people. It is used for spiritual and cultural programs and discourses.
The design of the auditorium follows the Koothambalam style found in Kerala temples.
The temple premises also include a canteen and a dining hall.

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).