Ayyappa Temple
Located near to the banks of the Periyar river is a 11th century Ayyappa Temple that is a vital link between the indigenous history and the Vedic traditions. The idol of Lord Ayyappa here is in a unique pose. Lord sits on a sila-peetham with right leg folded in upright pose with right foot firmly fixed to the peetha. The left leg is folded and kept slantingly in such a way that its toes come in front of the right foot. The right hand is also kept in a slanting pose over the right knee with the folded palm holding a weapon, assumed to be a churika or sword. The left arm is also slanting and the palm is kept at the rear of the peetham. On the whole, the idol gives the impression that the Lord is ready for the war and is about to start. The sankalpa of the deity is that of Bala - Ayyappa.
Legend has it that the temple was established by Nallur Kartha, one of the Nair nobles of Perumbavoor. Nallur Kartha once engaged two boys as his servants and they were given raw rice as wages every day. Every day after their work the boys took raw rice and some Thulasi (sweet basil) leaves from there. Once Kartha became suspicious about the action of the boys and followed them. Kartha saw the boys standing near a Palmyra tree and then they disappeared. Nallur Kartha had a dream that night in which Lord Ayyappa appeared and informed him that it was He who worked as his servant and the other boy is His friend. Lord asked Nallur Kartha to construct a temple for Him and His friend for which Nallur Kartha would get sufficient money for the construction of the temple from the beneath of Palmyra tree. On looking, Kartha found a bag full of gold coins and he built the temple using that money.
The temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple is an important stop over of devotees going for the Sabarimala Pilgrimage.
Location
Perumbavoor
Main Deity
Lord Ayyappan
Other Deities
Lord Ganesha
Festivals
Annual festival for eight days is celebrated in the month of Meenam (March-April). Thiruvonam, Ashtami Rohini, Navarathri, Deepavali andChirappu in Thulam (October-November) are the other important festivals.
Main Offerings
Ganapathy Homam, Kalabha Abishekam, Ney Vilakku.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is 13.3 KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Aluva Railway Station is 15.2 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Aluva KSRTC Bus Stand is 15.3 KM from the Temple.