The Edifice

Little would the group of middle aged Malayali men who started the Sri Ayyappa Bhaktha Sabha have realized what they were getting into? This was way back in mid 60’s when conducting an Ayyappan Vilakku in a locality was the norm. The Tamilians were new to this experience and they looked upon these villakkus with awe and respect. The organizers made sure that there was an elephant to grace the function and the magnificent drummers from Kerala performed the Thayambakka and Panchavadyam and kept the audience in rapt attention. And to end it all there was the Oracle. His special sword and bells along with the long hair and blood oozing from the forehead sent an element of fear among the congregation.The Sabha held the Villakku at the junction of Shenoy Road and Village Road (now Valluvar Kottam High Road) every year in the month of December and it was a two day affair. I think I must have gone for the first Villakku sometime in 1969/1970. We had moved to Nungambakkam in 1966 and our house was very close to the venue. With no television broadcast, this was one of the events that made us feel as if we were in Kerala.

The annual villakku being a great hit; I think the men started to think of having a permanent place. Their call was answered when Lady Madhavan Nair decided to hand them a plot of land in Mahalingapuram. For the next 2-3 years the Villakku was conducted in this plot. Apart from the elephant and above mentioned attractions, a cultural programme was introduced on both the evenings. Gana Gandharvan (K.J. Yesudas) himself would perform and finding a place to stand in the venue was next to impossible.In the meantime the group of men began raising funds to build a temple in the gifted plot.It was excitement for all of us, since a Kerala style temple was coming up in Madras and that too at a walking distance from our house. Every stage of its progress was carefully monitored by the community and finally the grand day or Pratishta Dinam was held on the 25th of March 1974. I was doing my Pre University Course and on that day had my French Public Exam. However I made sure that I went to the temple before going to college for the exam. Thus a temple was born and there has been no looking back.

In a matter of 10-15 years the adjacent plot was purchased and a Guruvayurappan temple came up. Now this complex is known as the Mahalingapuram Ayyappan Guruvayurappan Temple. The plot in front was purchased for the construction of a hall and also to make living quarters for some of the staff. A hospital was set up to cater to the needs of the lower income groups. Another bigger marriage hall was constructed and the Sabha became a force to reckon with. The Mandalam and Makara Villakku season sees the maximum crowd at the temple. I won’t be wrong if I say that the maximum number of pilgrims going to Sabarimala from a particular source would be from this temple. Throughout the year there are cultural programmes where the leading artists from the South perform. The Utsavams for both the deities are conducted for 10 long days. I wonder if even the temples in Kerala follow these routines. As for the daily poojas they are performed in the strictest of traditions. Nothing is missed and this adds to the reputation of the temple. With a revival in peoples’ beliefs irrespective of the religion, there is an increase in the number of faithfuls coming to this temple too.
My role has always been that of a bystander but a very active one at that. I can only think of the temple as being my very own. I take great pride in the fact that I have been with it from its inception to this very day. I go there twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays and every time I return a less burdened person. I know all the pujaris very well as they have been there for so many years and as for the helpers they are all part of my temple family. An auspicious occasion in our family calls for a visit to the temple and the two Udayasthmana Pujas that we conduct annually are big days in our calendar.

I wonder how many of the first group of Malayali men are still around to see their baby turn into a GLOWING EDIFICE. If I could feel so much for this temple I cannot apprehend as to what their feelings would be!!!