Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Manikanthan Althara temple.

The Manikanthan Althara temple is located in Panthalam, near the palace, under a huge towering peepul tree. 'Aal' in Malayalam means 'Peepul tree' & 'thara' means 'at the foot of'. This is the tree under which Manikantha rested upon returning from the forest riding a tiger, followed by an army of tigers & tigresses. This is also the spot from where Lord Ayyappa shot an arrow in the direction of Sabarimala, to mark the spot for the construction of a temple dedicated to Him.

The deity here is the only one of its kind - Manikantha riding a tiger. 2 Ashtamangalya Prasnams (astrological investigations of the highest order) in the past 2 decades have revealed the powerful presence of Lord Ayyappa here & that the power of Lord Ayyappa as Manikantha here is unsurpassed. Annadanam or feeding the devotees is Lord Ayyappa's favourite offering here.

May Annadana Prabhu - the provider of food to all living beings, bless one and all

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa