Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple

Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Temple, in the Nungambakkam area of Chennai, is a complex of two shrines, to Ayyappan and to Guruvayurappan, standing side by side. Built in 1974 in the Kerala style of architecture, it also has shrines to Shiva, Bhagavati, Ganapathy and Subramaniar. Ayyappan, about 2 feet tall, is shown seated on a Srichakra with his hand in the chinmudra gesture.

Like other Ayyappan temples it has a set of 18 steps, each tied to a stage of spiritual teaching, and the word Thaththuvamasi is inscribed here. Devotees from Mahalingapuram and nearby who plan to go to Sabarimala begin their traditional 41-day fast after worshipping here on the first day of the Tamil month of Karthigai. Gokulashtami, Makar Sankranti and Chithirai Vishu are among the festivals.