Sree Ayyappan Temple: A Slice of Sabarimala in Coimbatore

Sree Ayyappan Temple, located in the Siddhapudur area of Coimbatore, stands as a prominent shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, drawing devotees from across Tamil Nadu and beyond. Often called the 'Second Sabarimala,' this temple is designed to echo the architectural grandeur, rituals, and spiritual significance of the original Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. The temple's history dates back to 1942 when a small group of Lord Ayyappa devotees began organizing pujas and devotional singing in a temporary location. Over time, the community grew, leading to the official registration of the Coimbatore Sree Ayyappa Seva Sangam in 1955 and the construction of the temple in 1969. The temple's design reflects traditional Kerala temple architecture, featuring a sanctum sanctorum, a sloped tile roof, and wooden structures. A key highlight is the Pathinettam Padi, the 18 sacred steps symbolizing the 18 aspects of yoga and self-control. The Dhwajasthambha, or Kodi Maram, is covered in gold and is unique in Tamil Nadu. In addition to the main deity, Lord Ayyappa (Manikandan), the temple houses separate shrines for Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, Lord Muruga, Maha Vishnu, and Nagaraja. Daily poojas and rituals are performed in the Sabarimala tradition, including the evening Harivarasanam chant. The temple is open for worship from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Throughout the year, the temple celebrates several festivals with great enthusiasm. Key festivals include Makaravilakku Day, Nagarajas Pooja, Ashtadhravya Ganapathy Homam, and Navratri. The temple also provides facilities such as well-maintained rest halls, an Annadhanam hall for free meal distribution, and special arrangements for Sabarimala pilgrims. Visitors are expected to maintain silence and cleanliness within the premises, and photography is prohibited inside the sanctum.