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History of Temple

Adi Sankara Nilayam is a hallowed place, the maternal home of the great saint, savant and philosopher Adi Sankara —the very abode where he was born. The centuries old Mana houses some precious temples from an era gone by, temples ostensibly worshipped at by Sri Adi Sankara and his mother, Aryamba. On these premises are the ancient shrines of Ayyappa, Rama,  Krishna, Ganesha, Vettakkorumakan (the family deity of Melpazhur Mana),and Goddesses Nagayakshi and Bhagavati. It is indeed amazing to note that all the deities chose the Mana premises to bless it with their divine presence. The pond adjacent to the temple compound adds immense beauty to the serene surroundings and artistic structures.

In the once-remote village of Veliyanad (near Ernakulam in Kerala, India), is a Nambutiri Illom or Mana (home of a Kerala Brahmin) called ‘Melpazhur Mana’. This sacred dwelling is the ancestral, maternal home and birthplace of the world renowned saint and revered Advaita Vedantin, Sri Adi Sankara. Local tradition has it that Sri Adi Sankara’s vidyarambha and upanayana ceremonies were performed at Melpazhur Mana. Today, this place of pilgrimage is named ‘Adi Sankara Nilayam’, and is home to Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), the Chinmaya Mission’s accredited institute for Sanskrit and Indology research.

  • The Nambütiri Illom or Mana is called ‘Melpäzhür Mana’
  • This ancestral home is the birthplace of the world renowned saint
  • Ädi Sankara’s vidyärambha ceremonies were performed at the Mana
  • This is also the home of the Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF)

_Looking Back_

Know our History

1945

The trust was founded

The launch of an ideology. The launch of something which was ahead of it's time.

1945
The trust was founded
1960

Temple gets officially recognized

Thanks to the continuous efforts of our leaders and Guruji's, the temple got the recognition it deserved.

1960
Temple gets officially recognized
1995

50th Anniversary

The temple completes 50 years of divine existence. Spreading cultural and religious knowledge among all.

1995
50th Anniversary
2010

A place of worship and tourism

Officially declared as a place of heritage and recognized by the government as a tourist destination.

2010
A place of worship and tourism
2016

Learn one, teach one

The temple trust launches an initiative to share the knowledge gained through years of experiences.

2016
Learn one, teach one

know about the

Temples in the compound

Chinmaya Swayambhu Ayyappa Temple premises is home to ancient shrines and precious temples of Ayyappa, Räma, Krishna, Ganesha, Vettakkorumakan and Goddesses Nägayaksi and Bhagavati from an era gone by.

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_ Introduction to the _

Deities at the Temple

Lord Ayyappa
Lord Ayyappa
Adi Sankaracharya
Adi Sankaracharya
Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha
Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna
Guruji's Shrine
Guruji's Shrine
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Good to Know

Nearby Places to visit

Chinmaya International Foundation

Chinmaya International Foundation

The Chinmaya Swayambhu Ayyappa Temple is housed inside the campus of Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), the Indic Wisdom research wing of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. CIF was established in 1989 to materialise Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s vision of bridging the gap between “the past and present, East and West, science and spirituality, and pundit and public.”
Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth

Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth

The Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) campus is also home to Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV), a deemed-to-be-university that successfully weaves the ancient and time-tested Indian knowledge systems and traditions with the contemporary knowledge fields.
Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple

Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple

The famous Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple were Goddess is worshipped as as Sarasvati in the morning, Mahalakshmi at noon, and as Mahakali in the evening, is situated just 13kms away from the CIF campus.
The Hill Palace Museum

The Hill Palace Museum

The Hill Palace Archaeological Museum and Palace at Thrippunithura, 18kms away from CIF. Built in 1865, it was the imperial administrative office and official residence of the Maharaja of Kochi. The Hill Palace accommodates an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a prehistoric park and a children’s park.
Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam

Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam

This eight-storeyed memorial building established by Kanchi Kamakoti Math is located 43kms away from CIF at Kalady. The inner area of the Stamba hosts the various incidents in the life of Adi Sankara as pictures and sculptures.
Cochin Airport & Railway Station

Cochin Airport & Railway Station

The Cochin International Airport with international and domestic flight services is located at a distance of 47 kms from CIF. The nearby major railway stations are Ernakulam Junction Railway Station (26 kms) and Ernakulam Town Railway Station (29 kms).
Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple

Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple

The Sree Kurumba Bagavati Temple popularly known as the Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple is located 58 kms away from CIF. It is believed that the pujas conducted here according to the Shakteya custom is under the direct instructions from the Goddess Herself.
Vadakkumnathan Temple

Vadakkumnathan Temple

One among the 108 Shiva Temples established by Sri Parasurama, the Vadakkumnathan Temple is located 90 kms away from CIF at Thrissur. Its is believed that Adi Sankara was born to Sivaguru and Aryamba as a blessing from Lord Shiva after praying at this temple. The idol of the Lord cannot be seen as it is covered with a ‘Neyymala’, a hill made of ghee, resulting from the regular abhishekas.
Guruvayoor Temple

Guruvayoor Temple

The presiding deity of Guruvayoor Temple is Lord Guruvayurappan (Lord Vishnu worshipped as Lord Krishna, His incarnation). The temple located 117 kms away from CIF is often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikunta or the Holy Abode of Lord Vishnu on Earth.
Vaikkom Shri Mahadeva Temple

Vaikkom Shri Mahadeva Temple

Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple situated 22 kms from CIF is one of the oldest temples in Kerala with its Shiva Linga believed to be from the Treta Yuga. The deity here is fondly referred to by devotees as Vaikkathappan.

Useful Information

Get in touch

Chinmaya Swayambhu Ayyappa Temple
Adi Sankara Marg, Veliyanad, Ernakulam District, Kerala, India – 682 313

Phone: +91-92077-11139
Email: templemanager@chinfo.org

Directions

Adi Sankara Nilayam is 32 kms from both Ernakulam South Junction Railway Station and Ernakulam North Town Railway Station. Adi Sankara Nilayam is 53 kms from Kochi Airport.

Bus Routes

Reach Kaloor Private Bus Terminus. Take the Ernakulam–Piravom (via Arakkunnam) bus. Disembark at Peppathy Junction. Adi Sankara Nilayam is 1 km from here. You may also take the Ernakulam–Piravom bus (via Thirumarayoor) and disembark at the ‘Adi Sankara Nilayam Stop’.
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