Ernakulam Sree Ayyappankavu temple is located at Chittoor Road in Ernakulam town, Kerala. The form of Ayyappa worshipped in the temple is that of Ayyappa or Dharma Sastha worshipped at the famous Sabarimala temple.
As per history, the shrine was built in 1930 CE and renovated in 1964 by installing Panchaloha murti of Swami Ayyappa which was contributed by one Kunjan Swami of Ernakulam. The shrine was completely renovated in 2003.
The deity of Ayyappa worshipped in the temple is in sitting posture as in Sabarimala and it faces east.
The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Shiva, Goddess Bhadrakali and Subramanian.
The annual festival in the temple is held in Dhanu Masam (January) and coincides with the Makaravilakku festival. Kerala temple art forms like Kathakali, ottamthullal, chakiarkoothu etc and traditional music, caparisoned elephants are part of the week-long festival. Important rituals associated with Sastha temples in Kerala are performed during the period.
Special pujas are held on every uthram nakshathram in Malayalam month as it is the birth star of Bhagavan Ayyappa.
The Prathishta Dinam in the temple is held on Uthram nakshatra in Edavam month.
Ernakulam Sree Ayyappankavu Temple Timings
Morning Puja Timings
- The shrine opens at 5:00 AM (Nirmalyam and abhishekam are performed)
- 6:00 AM – Usha Puja
- 8:00 AM – Guddanna Puja
- 10:30 AM – Uccha Puja
- 11:00 AM – Temple Closes
Evening Puja Timings
- The shrine opens at 5:00 PM
- Deeparadhana – 7:00 PM
- Athazha Pooja – 7:45 PM
- Temple closes with Harivarasanam – 8:00 PM