Karnataka is home to several prominent temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappan (Dharma Sastha). These temples serve as important pilgrimage centres for devotees who are unable to travel to Sabarimala in Kerala. Each shrine reflects the essence of Kerala-style Ayyappa worship, blending devotion, tradition, and architectural beauty. Here are five well-known Ayyappan temples in Karnataka, each with its own unique history and spiritual significance.
1. HAL Ayyappan Temple, Bangalore
One of Bangalore’s oldest Ayyappan shrines, the HAL Ayyappan Temple was built by employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It offers a Kerala-style Ayyappa worship centre for devotees across Karnataka. The temple society, Sree Ayyappa Bhajana Sangham, was registered in 1971–72. Renowned temple architect Sri Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboothiri pad designed the temple and its idols. The foundation stone was laid on 27 October 1976, and the idols of Lord Ayyappa, along with Ganapati and Devi, were consecrated in the Malayalam month of Medam, 1977. Built in traditional Kerala temple style, the structure features copper roofs and elegant wooden carvings. The sanctum housing Ayyappa is modeled on Sabarimala, and sub-shrines for Ganapati and Devi are part of the complex.
Major Festival: Mandala-Pooja and Makara Vilakku (mid-December to mid-January) are celebrated grandly with rituals and lamp festivals, following Sabarimala traditions.
Temple Timings: Open daily from dawn to around 10:30 AM, and from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Location: HAL Colony, Old Airport Road, Bangalore, Karnataka.
2. J.C. Nagar Sree Ayyappan Temple, Bangalore
Located in north Bangalore, this is one of the city’s oldest and most revered Ayyappa temples. It attracts devotees from across Karnataka and follows Kerala-style rituals led by a Thantri (Vedic priest).
The foundation stone was laid on 29 December 1974. Managed by a local trust, the temple has become a vital spiritual hub for Ayyappa devotees in Bangalore.
The temple follows classic Kerala architecture with a dome-shaped sanctum roof plated in copper. It houses sub-shrines dedicated to Ganapati, Bhagavathi (Devi), Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Nagaraja.
Major Festivals: Mandalavilakku (in January), Vishu (April), Thiruvonam, Navarathri, and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Temple Timings: Open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Location: J.C. Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka.
3. Jalahalli Sree Ayyappan Temple, Bangalore
Established in April 1967, this was the first Ayyappa temple built outside Kerala. It remains a landmark shrine for Ayyappa devotees across Karnataka. Consecrated in 1967, the temple closely mirrors the Sabarimala tradition with its sacred 18 steps (Pathinettam Padi). Annadanam (free meals) is offered to devotees every day, emphasizing the temple’s spirit of service.
Constructed entirely in Kerala temple style, it features a copper-plated pyramidal roof and intricate wooden carvings. Sub-shrines for Lord Ganapati, Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali (Malikapuram Amma), and Nagaraja add to the temple’s spiritual richness.
Major Festivals: The Mandala-Makaravilakku season (November–January) draws huge crowds. Vishu, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Diwali are also celebrated with devotion.
Temple Timings: Open for darshan in the morning and evening hours.
Location: Jalahalli West (near Jalahalli Cross, Bangalore-Pune NH), Bangalore, Karnataka.
4. Madiwala Ayyappan Temple, Bangalore
Located in south Bangalore, the Madiwala Ayyappan Temple is a popular Kerala-style shrine where Lord Ayyappa is revered as Kulanthai Daivam (“Children’s God”).
It began as a small Bhajana Mandir in 1997. The 5.5-foot Panchaloha idol of Lord Ayyappan was installed by Sabarimala Thantri Brahmasree Neelakantararu. A major renovation in 2007 included a copper Dhwajasthambam, Navagraha and Naga shrines, and a Maha Kumbhabhishekam performed by Sabarimala Thantri Kantararu Mohanararu.
The temple’s Kerala-style design includes a copper roof with four golden finials and intricately carved granite pillars. Shrines for Lord Ganapati, Subramanya, Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi surround the central sanctum.
Major Festivals: The Makaravilakku festival, Prathishta Dina Mahotsavam (temple anniversary in July), and rituals like Utsavabali, Pallivetta, and Aarattu are celebrated with grandeur.
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily.
Location: Madiwala, Bangalore, Karnataka.
5. Hebbal Kempapura Ayyappa Temple, Bangalore
A relatively new temple, established in 2002, the Hebbal Kempapura Ayyappan Temple serves as a vital centre for Ayyappa worship in north Bangalore.
Built under the guidance of Sabarimala Thantri Thazhamon Kandararu Neelakandaru and designed by the renowned architect Kanippayyur Kuttan Namboothiri, the temple follows Kerala’s traditional architectural style with copper roofing and wooden craftsmanship. Lord Ayyappa is the main deity, accompanied by sub-shrines for Ganapati, Goddess Durga, Navagrahas, and Nagaraja.
Major Festivals: Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku (December–January) are the major events, celebrated with traditional Kerala rituals. Vishu, Onam, and Ganesh Chaturthi are also observed annually.
Temple Timings: Open daily in the morning and evening (approximately 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM).
Location: Kempapura, Hebbal, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Conclusion
The Ayyappan temples of Karnataka beautifully preserve the traditions of Kerala-style worship, offering devotees the divine experience of Sabarimala within their own state. Each temple reflects the same spiritual discipline, devotion, and ritual purity that define Ayyappa worship — a reminder that the essence of faith transcends geography.
