Anna Nagar Ayyappan Koil is a HinduTemple dedicated to the deity Ayyappan in Chennai, India. It is located at the junction of 6th Main Road and 2nd Avenue in Anna Nagar.
History
The prakaaram (corridor) near the entranceThe dwajasthambam or the sacred pillar, near the main entranceThe "Thathwamasi" script in Malayalam and Tamil, at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum
When Anna Nagar was developed as a model town in the late 1960s, the annual vilakku pooja during the mandala makaravilakku 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.
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 Namboodiri and K. M. Kesva Battatripad, former chief priest of the Sabarimala Temple.[2] The panchaloha Ayyappan idol was made by Chenganur T. Rajarathinam.[1] Idols of Ganesha, Subramanya, Goddess Durga, and Anjenaya 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.[2]
The temple
Main entrance to the templeThe Adhi Shankara Auditorium
The temple is built on a 40-cent land near the Visveswarayya Tower.
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.[2] The main door at the entrance is covered with brass plates. There is an auditorium, named after Sri Adisankara, covering about 3,600 sq ft,[2] which can accommodate about 1,000 persons,[1] for conducting spiritual and cultural programmes and discourses. The design of the auditorium involves the Koothambalam style found in Kerala temples.[2]
Poojas
Towards the sanctum sanctorumMain view of the Anna Nagar Ayyappan Koil, looking to the southeast towards the Second Avenue
Vinayaka Chaturthi and Rama Navami. Kotiarchana is performed every fourth year by Ayyappa devotees observing vritham (fasting).[1]
Awards
In 1998, the temple won the Mylapore Academy Award for the best maintained temple in Chennai.[1]
