Madipakkam Ayyappan Temple, with its traditional nadapandal, was the second Ayyappan temple after Sabarimala with 18 holy steps (PATHINETTU PADIGAL). The temple was constructed in the early 1978 and has shrines for Ganapathy, Mahishasuramardhini (maligaipuruthamma), Nagaraja, Muruga ,Navagrahas and a Anjaneyar (in pillar) . The temple' is founded by Sri Ayyappan Mandali, a registered cooperative s
ociety .A Trust has been formed by this mandali named after Sri Ayyappan Temple Trust and the temple’s day to day affairs are jointly taken care by these two organization. The kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1978 . Devotees gather in large numbers during the festive season. For those who are unable to visit the Sabarimala Ayappan temple, the Madipakkam Ayappan temple is an alternative where devotees can bring ghee for abhishekam in a Irumudi kettu and climb the holy 18 steps. Only those who are taking 41 days viradham and have irumudi kettu will be allowed to climb through Holy 18 steps.The sanctity of the 18 steps is strictly maintained here — only male devotees and female -with in the age group of less than 10 years old and more then 50 years old , will be allowed to go to Ayyappan sannidhanam through side staircase to have dharsan. Lot of devotees perform pooja and make irumudi kettu here and proceeding to sabarimala every year during the makara- mandala period. This Ayyappan temple, , was constructed on a half-ground plot donated by a devotee Sri Adhikesava pillai.The Mandali later acquired the adjacent plots of land and today, the temple extends across more than seven grounds with staff quarters, kitchen, canteen, and four mandapams. The Trust distributes books to 350 students of the Madipakkam Panchayat School every year and organizes lot of medical, blood donation and health camps. The main feature of Madipakkam Ayyappan Temple is the Parayeduppu held during the annual utsavam in November. During this utsavam, the deity is taken in procession and grains submitted by devotees in front of their homes are taken for temple use and also Devotees visits the temple during the festivities that start in December. Special poojas are also performed throughout the of the year. Rules:-
Women are not allowed inside the Ayyappan shrine but can visit other parts of the temple . Timings:-
Morning :
Temple opening @ 5.00 A.M
Ganapathy Homam @ 5.30 A.M
Abhishekam @ 6.30 A.M
Pooja(morning pooja) @ 7.20 A.M
Ucha Pooja @ 10.20 A.M
Temple closing @ 11.00 A.M
Evening :
Temple opening @ 5.00 P.M
First PadiVilakku, Sandhya pooja & DeepaAradhana @ 6.15 P.M
Second PadiVilakku, Atthazha pooja & DeepaAradhana @ 8.20 P.M
Temple closing @ 9.00 P.M
Festivals:-
In Madipakkam Ayyappan Temple devotees gather in large numbers during the festival season in November (karthigai), December (marghzhi) and January (Thai). Padivilakku pooja is conducted every evening and nithya kattlai (a form of abhishekham)
