Coimbatore is one of the significant metropolitan regions of Tamil Nadu, which is recognised for its several divine places, textile industry, and largest jewellery exporter. That attracts tourists and devotees from all over the world. One of the great holy places is temples, which play an essential role in Hindu religions. One of the significant temples of Coimbatore is Sree Ayyappan Temple. It is also referred to as the second Sabarimala. This temple was built on the same lines as the actual Sabarimala and is located at Sidhapudur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Whether you are visiting for spiritual purposes or being a part of puja, you must know the temple’s essential aspects.
About Sree Ayyappan Temple
Image Credit: Ms Sarah Welch for Wikimedia Commons
The Sree Ayyappan Temple Sidhapudur is Coimbatore’s second most renowned place after Sabarimala. This enchanting temple of Lord Ayyappan is located about one kilometre from Coimbatore Central Gandhipuram and a short drive away from Central Railway Station. The origins of the Sree Ayyappan Temple date back as early as 1955 when the Ayyappan Sewa Sangam of Coimbatore was founded. The land on which the temple was built was procured in 1958, and the foundation stone was laid in 1966.
The first Kumbabishekham was performed in 1969, and the temple has continuously evolved since. The primary idol of this temple is Lord Ayyappan, and small shrines of Vishnu, Durga, Vinayaka, Muruga, and Shiva were established around the main shrine. All the rituals from Puja to Aarti are performed similarly to Sabarimala Temple. Sree Ayyappan Temple also performs main ceremonies like Navarathri, Prathista Day, Lakshrachana, Mandanvilakku, etc.
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History Of Sree Ayyappan Temple
There is a fantastic history behind the Sree Ayyappan Temple. It all started in 1942 when some devotees of Lord Ayyappan performed puja and sang bhajans at makeshift places. Before going to Sabarimala, they do Ayyappan Vilakku Puja during the traditional mandala Puja. These few devotees of Lord Ayyappan continue this worship until the devotees grow. In 1955, devotees created and registered as an Ayyappan Sewa Sangam. After three years, in 1958, they procured the land at Sidhapudur to construct the Sree Ayyappan Temple. The shed for the temple was provided by an industrialist named “Sri Narasi Thulasidas”. Devotees started to worship in front of a portrait of Lord Sri Ayyappanswamy, and year after year, it continued. Finally, in 1966, the construction of the temple began.
The temple structure was decided upon by Brahmashri Kanippaiyur Shankaran Nambudhiripad, who drew the sacred chart that specifies the temple’s symmetrical proportion, dimension, and measurement. It also identifies the location of god’s shrines like Goddess Durga Devi, Lord Sri Murugan and Lord Sri Mahavishnu. On 24th March 1969, The first Kumbabishekham was performed, and In 1972, a Kodi Maram was installed and, later on, covered by pure gold. This is the only temple in which Dwajasthambam is covered by pure gold in all the divine places of Tamil Nadu.
Puja’s And Festivals At Sree Ayyappan Temple
All the Pujas and festivals are the same as the traditional lines of the original Sabarimala Temple. Sree Ayyappan Temple conducts the Arattu festival and Rohini Nakshatra festival in March. The celebrations of these festivals began a week ago. The customary procession with musical recitals, spiritual discourses, cultural activities, and other programmes is included in these festivals. Special Puja anustanas like Mel Santhi and Keel Santhi are also conducted marvellously.
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Annual Festivals And Timings
The Sree Ayyappan Temple is open for worship early at 5 AM and opens until 11 AM, and in the evening, it opens at 5 PM and opens until 9 PM. Sree Ayyappan temples have celebrated several festivals each year since they were built. Some of the most significant and recognised festivals are:
Makaravilakku Day: Celebrated on the 14th of January as Makaravilakku Day, on which Makarajyothi appears at Sabarimala Temple.
Lord Nataraja puja: Celebrated in the month of Kumbha (February). Ayilyam Nakshatra’s unique Puja for Lord Nagarajas is performed to get relief from marriage dosha, putra dosha, and naga dosha.
Prathishta Day: The Prathishta day of this temple is celebrated from March to April on Rohini Nakshatra Day. The Kalasabhishekam is performed on this day for Lord Ayyappan by giving pure sandal paste mixed with kumkumapoo, kasthuri, and gorojanam.
Ashtadhravya Ganapathy Homam: Celebrated in Karkitaka month, the special Ganapathy Homam is performed to fulfil the devotees’ prayers.
Navarathri Festival: The Navarathri festival in Sree Ayyappan Temple is very prominent among the devotees. Special Ashtabhishekham is performed for Goddess Devi.
Illam Nira Puja: Illam Nira Puja a unique Puja performed for new grain offered as Naivedhyam.
Akhandanama Bhajana: Akhandanama Bhajana means worshipping Lord Ayyappan with devotional songs that can be played continuously for 24 hours, during which more than 25,000 devotees participate.
How To Reach
Image Credit: Arivumathi for Wikimedia Commons
Sree Ayyappan Temple is located in the Sidhapudur village of Coimbatore, one of Tamil Nadu’s major areas and well connected by roads. There are several ways to reach Sree Ayyappan Temple that you can take advantage of, such as:
By Road: Devotees can easily reach Sree Ayyappan Temple by route as it is well-connected by roads. Several transportation options exist to reach the temple; devotees can take any private or local bus from Ukkadam to Gandhipuram. From Gandhipuram, there is only 1 kilometre distance between Sree Ayyappan Temple.
By Train: Traveling by train is another convenient option for devotees. The nearest railway station is Coimbatore Junction, which is just 4 kilometres away from the temple. Devotees can take local buses or auto-rickshaws to reach the Sidhapudur temple.
By Air: If you are travelling by flight, the closest airport is Coimbatore Airport, just 9 kilometres away from the temple. Devotees can also take local taxis from Peelamedu to Gandhipuram.
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These holy devotees visit the temple to seek Lord Ayyappan’s blessing and get relief from doshas. They also use the temple as a mid-station for rest before they set out on their Sabarimala Temple. Whether you are a devotee of Lord Ayyappan or a spiritual person, if Sree Ayyappan Temple is not on the list for your Coimbatore trip, you must include one of the traditional and spiritual temples. So, get the blessings of Lord Ayyappan by planning your trip to Tamil Nadu with our guiding tour packages. Explore the renowned religious Hindu temple of Coimbatore during your Sabarimala temple journey.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sree Ayyappan Temple
What is Sree Ayyappan temple famous for?
The Sree Ayyappan Temple is famous for fulfilling devotees' prayers for relief from doshas. This is the only temple in Tamil Nadu where Dhwajasthambha is covered by pure gold.
Who is the wife of Lord Ayyappan?
While many temples show him as a celibate yogi, a few, like Achankovil Sastha Temple, represent him as a married man with two wives, Poorna and Pushkala.
Which day is dedicated to Lord Ayyappan?
Devotees believe wearing a Mala on a Saturday or the day of Uthram, the star sign, is auspicious. Uthram is the birth star of Sree Ayyappan.
Why does Ayyappan Temple have 18 steps?
The 18 steps of the Ayyappan Temple are significant. Many legends are said to be behind it, but it is believed that the steps denote the 18 weapons that Lord Ayyappan used to destroy evil.
What are the timings of the Sree Ayyappan Temple?
The temple is open to devotees daily. The hours of Sree Ayyappan Temple are 5 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM. The temple is closed in the afternoon for a few hours.
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