A temple famously known as Mini Sabarimala Shree Ayyappa
Temple situated atop a hillock surrounded by hills and valleys within the
precincts of NCH Colony, Kanjur Marg (West),
Mumbai . It is the
first ancient Ayyappa Temple outside Kerala State. A tiny stream
originating from the vicinity adds the sanctity and beauty of environment.
It is a unique temple resembling the Holy Shrine of Shree Dharma Shastha
(Ayyappa) at Sabarimala, Kerala, crowning the Western Ghats. This temple
attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year.
It is believed that there was a beautiful Devi temple and a small Ayyappa temple at this place, where today stands the temple of Shree Mini Sabarimala. Foreign invaders destroyed these temples and the remnants of these can be seen even today. The invaders also killed the priests of these temples. Since then the devotees used to worship Shri Ayyappa in the same dilapidated temple.
All-important Hindu festivals are celebrated at the temple
and special puja's are performed. Some of the special festivals apart from
the usual Hindu festivals which are celebrated here are "Pankuni
Uttiram"- the birthday of Shree Ayyappa, "Prathista Dinam",
"Vishu" (New Year)- April 14th, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya
Dashami, and Deepawali.
The major festival celebrated over here is "Mandala Makara Vilakku"
festival (Mid November to mid January), which starts with the Mudhradhanam
for the devotees who undertake pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Devotees visit
the temple in large numbers during this season. Just like Sabarimala,
'Prasadams' such as "Appam", "Aravana", etc. are kept
for sale.
Road: Tourists can take city buses or local trains from Mumbai to reach this place.
Accommodation is available at the hotels in Mumbai.