Sunday, 15 December 2013

Tamil people’s own Sabarimala : Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple

Photo: Tamil people’s own Sabarimala Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple. Photo: www.ayyappantemplesabs.org The Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple in Kodambakkam is an important Ayyappa temple in not only Chennai, but the whole of Tamil Nadu. Among the temples led by Malayalis, it is the only one in the state that has received the ISO 9001:2008 certificate. The temple got the ISO approval for its poojas, daily operations, and services to the public. It is one of the few temples in Tamil Nadu with this recognition. Since it is a prominent temple in the city, during every Mandala-Makaravilakku season, devotees of Ayyappa flock to Mahalingapuram. Worshipping Sree Dharmasastha and Guruvayoorappan at Mahalingapuram, prostrating before other deities, tying the Irumudikettu and preparing to climb the hill is a custom here for Ayyappas going to Sabarimala. The temple has idols of other deities like Ganapati, Murukan, Malikapurathamma, Hanuman, Garudan, Nagaraja, and the nine heavenly bodies. The annual festival of the temple takes place from December 18 to 26. It begins at 9 am on the 18th when Tantri Kandaru Maheswararu hoists the flag. During the Mandala season, every day, special cultural programmes and concerts are held at the temple at 7 pm. Among them, the important event is the concert by K.J. Yesudas at 7 pm on December 21. Special facilities have been arranged at the temple for Ayyappas who come to worship and go to Sabarimala. Tickets for the ritual offering of ghee at Sannidhanam are available at the temple. As a result, the Ayyappa devotees going from here do not have to stand in queues for a long time to get tickets for Neyyabhishekam. Office-bearers say this facility has been available at the temple from 2002. In addition to that, chains of beads, loin clothes, CDs of Ayyappa devotional songs, and things to fill Irumudikettu are available at special counters here. Booking is needed to tie Irumudikettu. To help Ayyappas tie Irumudikettu, there are almost 15 Guru Swamis at Mahalingapuram. Enough guidance is given to them at the temple. Also, they are given food three times a day. Facilities to stay at Sabarimala are also provided under the leadership of the temple. Sree Ayyappa Bhaktha Sabha, formed in 1968, is responsible for the functioning of the temple. Poojas are performed under the leadership of Kandaru Maheswararu, who is also the Tantri of Sabarimala. In addition to the idol of Ayyappa, Guruvayoorappan too blesses devotees at Mahalingapuram. The day-to-day poojas are performed under the superintendence of the Chief Priest of Ayyappa temple, Krishnan Namboothiri, and the Chief Priest of Guruvayoorappan temple, Kesavan Namboothiri. Address: 18, Sir Madhavan Road, Mahalingapuram, Chennai – 34 Ph: 044-28172197- www.ayyappantemplesabs.org.

Tamil people’s own Sabarimala 

Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple. Photo:www.ayyappantemplesabs.org 


The Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappan Temple in Kodambakkam is an important Ayyappa temple in not only Chennai, but the whole of Tamil Nadu.

Among the temples led by Malayalis, it is the only one in the state that has received the ISO 9001:2008 certificate. The temple got the ISO approval for its poojas, daily operations, and services to the public. It is one of the few temples in Tamil Nadu with this recognition.

Since it is a prominent temple in the city, during every Mandala-Makaravilakku season, devotees of Ayyappa flock to Mahalingapuram. Worshipping Sree Dharmasastha and Guruvayoorappan at Mahalingapuram, prostrating before other deities, tying the Irumudikettu and preparing to climb the hill is a custom here for Ayyappas going to Sabarimala.

The temple has idols of other deities like Ganapati, Murukan, Malikapurathamma, Hanuman, Garudan, Nagaraja, and the nine heavenly bodies.

The annual festival of the temple takes place from December 18 to 26.

It begins at 9 am on the 18th when Tantri Kandaru Maheswararu hoists the flag. During the Mandala season, every day, special cultural programmes and concerts are held at the temple at 7 pm. Among them, the important event is the concert by K.J. Yesudas at 7 pm on December 21.

Special facilities have been arranged at the temple for Ayyappas who come to worship and go to Sabarimala. Tickets for the ritual offering of ghee at Sannidhanam are available at the temple. As a result, the Ayyappa devotees going from here do not have to stand in queues for a long time to get tickets for Neyyabhishekam.

Office-bearers say this facility has been available at the temple from 2002. In addition to that, chains of beads, loin clothes, CDs of Ayyappa devotional songs, and things to fill Irumudikettu are available at special counters here.

Booking is needed to tie Irumudikettu.

To help Ayyappas tie Irumudikettu, there are almost 15 Guru Swamis at Mahalingapuram. Enough guidance is given to them at the temple. Also, they are given food three times a day. Facilities to stay at Sabarimala are also provided under the leadership of the temple.

Sree Ayyappa Bhaktha Sabha, formed in 1968, is responsible for the functioning of the temple. Poojas are performed under the leadership of Kandaru Maheswararu, who is also the Tantri of Sabarimala. In addition to the idol of Ayyappa, Guruvayoorappan too blesses devotees at Mahalingapuram.

The day-to-day poojas are performed under the superintendence of the Chief Priest of Ayyappa temple, Krishnan Namboothiri, and the Chief Priest of Guruvayoorappan temple, Kesavan Namboothiri.

Address: 18, Sir Madhavan Road, Mahalingapuram, Chennai – 34

Ph: 044-28172197
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