Jalahalli Sree Ayyappan Temple Trust — Attraction in Bengaluru

Lord Ayyappa - Known as the deity of discipline and devotion, Ayyappa symbolizes the union of dharma and divine energy. His worship involves immense faith and austerity, with many followers undertaking pilgrimages with strict vows. The Temple's Positive Energy and Divinity: Jalahalli Ayyappa Temple offers an overwhelmingly positive vibe, radiating a sense of peace and divinity. It is not only dedicated to Lord Ayyappa but also hosts sanctums for Durga Devi, Subramania Swami, Vigneshwaran, Narayana Swami, Nagar, Navagrahas, and Paramashiva. This multi-deity presence enhances the spiritual significance of the temple.

Saturday Offerings: Devotees can participate in special rituals like Neelanjanam, lighting of ghee lamps, and other offerings, making it a powerful day for worship and blessings.

Pros of Visiting the Temple: Multi-deity worship- Offers the chance to pray and connect with several powerful gods at one location.

Special Saturday rituals Participating in Neelanjanam and lighting ghee lamps creates a deeply fulfilling spiritual experience.

Divine ambiance: The temple’s serene setting and atmosphere enhance inner peace, making devotees feel blessed.

Community gathering: The temple attracts devotees from across regions, building a strong sense of community and devotion. Clean and organized space: The temple is generally well-maintained, contributing to its charm and positive energy.

Areas for Improvement: Rude behavior by cashiers: Devotees often face indifferent or rude treatment from the people managing the donation counters. Despite requests, cash counter staff seem uninterested in responding politely or engaging with devotees. It feels disrespectful, especially since the donations come from people’s faith in Bhagawan.

-Need for better management during peak hours: Saturdays are extremely crowded, and the rush can be overwhelming for devotees. There is no visible effort from the temple trust to manage the crowds more efficiently, causing confusion.

Inappropriate behavior from the poojari: The younger priest at the Ayyappa sanctum, with a beard ,has been observed speaking rudely to devotees during rituals. Such behavior is unacceptable, especially in a sacred space that is supposed to uplift and guide devotees.

Recommendations to the Temple Trust: Staff Training: The trust should train the cash counter staff to behave with compassion and patience, ensuring they respect devotees. This will avoid frustration and create a more positive experience for everyone. Better Crowd Management: Implement better systems to manage the rush, particularly on Saturdays. Introducing queue systems or providing more volunteers could ease the crowding. Address Poorness in Ritual Experience: The trust should intervene and ensure priests reflect the values of humility and grace while interacting with devotees. Priests should remember that they serve as representatives of the divine, and their demeanor matters.

Final Thoughts: The Jalahalli Ayyappa Temple offers a powerful and spiritually enriching experience. However, the behavior of the cashiers and priests tarnishes this otherwise divine space, frustrating many devotees. It's important for the trust to address these issues, as the essence of the temple lies not just in rituals but in ensuring that every devotee feels respected and heard. Hopefully, the temple management will act on this feedback to preserve the sanctity and...

I had a very bitter experience because of the rowdy staff people working in such sacred places. Due to my pregnancy, watchman at the door told me I'm not allowed inside the temple. Hence, I requested him that I would not enter the 2nd entrance of temple and would stand near the Garuda pillar just after entry gate to get Darshana and leave soon, for which the kind man had accepted. In few minutes the most worst staff of temple appearing like bodyguard entered the temple, he looked at me n questioned in which month of pregnancy was I? Right after that, he started yelling at me to get out of the temple immediately (It was not as though I would have my baby delivered inside the temple). I told him, i was not aware of any such rules and requested him that I would leave immediately after taking a glimpse of lord once main garbha dwara opens for darshana. But, that devil of a person yelled n behaved worstly at me n to that poor watchman who allowed me out of kindness. He could have spoken to me kindly saying pregnant women are not allowed inside temple fearing delivery inside sanctum. Instead he chose to act violently n rudely.

These sick minded staff there behave worst with Non-Malyali devotees which I hv noticed many a times. Guess they don't remember they are earning their living staying inside Karnataka and for such behaviour someone will soon show them their standards.

When god doesn't differentiate amongst his devotees, who the hell are these people to make such rules to say who is allowed or who is not?

Those devil staffs working inside such holy place, will surely be punished ruthlessly by lord Ayyappa himself for not allowing a...

The Sree Ayyappan Temple at Jalahalli, Bangalore is one of the oldest traditional Kerala-style Ayyappan temples built outside Kerala. Also the first Ayyappa temple built in Karnataka, the temple is considered to be the Sabarimala of Karnataka and the second Sabarimala of India. The temple was constructed and the deity installed in 1967. Every day of the year, the temple serves free food (annadanam) to devotees.

The renovated Sreekovil has been built replicating the style of the Sabarimala Sreekovil in Kerala. Smaller shrines dedicated to Ganapati, Devi Durga, Subramanian, Navagrahas and Nagadevathas have been also added. The re-installation ceremony for Ayyappa, Ganapati and Devi Durga were performed in 2004 and the one for Subramanian in 2005. Navagraha prathishta (installation ceremony) was performed in 2006. Remodelled in the traditional vaastu style with wood and stone, the kumbhabhishekam of the new rajagopuram and teakwood dhwajasthambham (flagpost) with gold covering was also performed. The wood used in the temple is special teak wood sourced from the famous forests of Nilambur forests and the stone work is the special Krishnasila type of work.

The idol of Dharmasastha is a panchaloha idol and after the renovations the re-installation of the deity Ayyappa was done after performing necessary rituals such as the shadadhara prathishta and garbanyasa.

Darshan Timings:

Morning : 5.30 AM to 10.30 AM (11.00 AM on Saturday & Mandala Makaravilakku season)

Evening: 5 PM to 8.30 PM

Timings are extended on...