VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Rajah Annamalaipuram Ayyappan Koil / ஶ்ரீ ஐயப்பன் கோயில், Rajah Annamalaipuram, MRC Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Rajah Annamalaipuram Ayyappan Koil / ஶ்ரீ ஐயப்பன் கோயில், Rajah Annamalaipuram, MRC Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This Ayyappan Temple at Rajah Annamalaipuram is on the right side, of the Greenways Road from Adyar to Paris and opposite Dr Ambedkar Manimandapam. The temple is also known as Vada Sabari. The speciality of this temple is that the ladies irrespective of age are allowed for darshan and the temple will kept open throughout the year. For ascending in Pathinettampadi -18 steps the rules and regulations are followed similar to Sabarimala.

Moolavar : Sri Ayyappan

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, and there are 18 steps to climb up to the first level with "Irumudi". Others can climb through steps provided outside. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are on the First level. A Mandapam, with Thulabaram, Homa kund, and Madapalli in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The main deity Sri Ayyappan is in sitting posture with Yogapatti, made out of Panchaloka similar to Sabarimala. Koshtas are empty without images. Kannimoola Ganapathy and Nagars are on the first Level.

In the Ground level Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Anjaneyar, and Manchamatha / Maligaipuraththamman. Chinna Kaduthaswamy and Periya Kadutha Swamy are at the beginning of the 18 steps.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of sanctum sanctorum with ardha mandapam. The construction was followed similarly to Sabarimala with a slopping roof. But the whole temple was constructed with cement concrete. The roof was covered with copper plate tiles coated with gold. The Kostas are constructed like doors & Keyholes, in stone.

The ground floor below the sanctum Sanctorum floor is being used for The Trustee's office, conducting Bhajans, religious discourses, serving annadhanam, etc. The floor is paved with marble brought from Jaipur.

The Dwajasthambam is 40 feet tall and covered with brass plates. Ashta Lakhmi's images are on the pedestal.

The Manchamatha sannidhi was also constructed similar to the Sri Ayyappan sannidhi with slopping rood, Kerala style. But the newly constructed Vinayagar Sannidhi followed the South Indian architecture.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built by Dr M. A. M. Ramaswamy, son of Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar of the Chettinad. He used to undertake a pilgrimage every year to Sabarimala and thought of building a similar temple in Chennai near the Chettinad Palace. A New temple was constructed and consecrated in 1982, on the land donated to the temple by Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar. The Ayyappa idol, made of Panchaloha (five precious metals representing the five elements of nature), was made by Sri Bhattanachariar, a sculptor from Nagercoil. It was taken in a procession from the Krishnan Temple in Nagercoil to various places of religious importance in Tamil Nadu before it was installed in the Rajah Annamalaipuram temple on 25^th January 1982.

The first Ashta Bandana Maha Kumbabishekam was performed with the great help of Dr. Rajah Sir, Muthia Chettiar, and Dr. V Vaidya Subramaniya Iyer on 29^th January 1982, The Kumbhabhishekam was done by Sringeri Peedam Sri Jagathguru Sankarachariyar Swamigal and Sannidhanam Swamigal.

The second Jeernodharana Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 27^th March 1994, by Sabarimala Chief Thantri, Brahma Sri T K Maheswara Thantri, the hereditary Chief Priest of Sabarimala,

The third Jeernodharana Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 07^th May 2008, by Brahma Sri T K Maheswara Thantri, the hereditary Chief Priest of Sabarimala.

On 27th March 2024, the fourth Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam ( Palalayam was conducted on 28^th January 2024 ) was performed with three newly constructed Sub-Sannidhis, for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, and Anjaneyar. The Main deity was consecrated by the Sabarimala Thantri Brahma Sri Kandaru Mohan Thantri and Vinayagar, Navagrahas, and Anjaneyar Sannidhis are consecrated as per the South Indian style, by Chief Gurukkal Dr Sivasri K Pichai Gurukkal of Sri Karpaga Vinayagar of Pillayarpatti. The Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed under the Leadership of Dr AC Muthiah.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are performed, as per the schedule followed by Sabarimalai, Kerala. Sabarimalai Thantris, used to perform mandala poojas, which begin with padi poojas, and Chithira Vishu, Tamil and English New Year Days, etc,.

Golden Chariot is on the first level and taken in procession around the Sanctum Sanctorum ( Rs 2500 will be charged per person and a Maximum of 3 persons per day is allowed ). The Silver Chariot will be taken in procession in streets around the temple, on the festival days.

The 18 steps will be opened for the devotees with "Irumudi" ( observing virdh for 41 days and ( time will be 07.00 hrs to 11 Hrs ), on Tamil New Year day, English New Year Day, 41 days from Karthigai month 1^st, 20 days from January 1^st to 20, and 5 days every Tamil month from 01 to 05.