The centuries old Melpazhur Mana houses some precious temples from an era gone by, temples ostensibly worshipped by Sri Sankara and his mother, Aryamba. Hence it is a blessing to have these in the precincts of CIF. We have on these premises the ancient shrines of Ayyappa, Rama, Krishna, Ganesha, Vettakkoruvan (Kirata Siva, 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.

Lord Ayyappa Temple

Lord Ayyappa is the main deity in the centuries-old temple complex of Melpazhar Mana. The idol of Lord Ayyappa is ‘svayambhu’ (born on its own out of the earth). Today, it is known as the Svayambhu temple of Melpazhur . The old temple at Vadayaparambu no longer exists.

Lord Shri Krishna

An age-old, dilapidated Sri Krishna temple was situated on a hillock on the northern side of the Mana’s temple complex with a Krishna idol. As desired by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, the temple on the hillock was eventually dismantled and the idol was consecrated inside the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Shri Rama Temple

A Rama temple once existed in Ponmanadi , a nearby village under the Melpazhur Mana umbrella . As time passed, the Rama temple in Ponmanadi lost its importance. The Rama idol from this temple was brought to the Mana complex and a temple was built as a tribute to Rama of Ponmanadi.

Devi Bhagavathi Temple

Sri Bhuvanesvari, the Goddess of Universe, resides in this small temple sanctum. Everyday regular pojas are offered. Special pujas are performed on Navaratri days.

Devi Nagayakshi Temple

Sarpa-kavus, a special place for the Naga Devatas is a unique feature of Kerala. Sri Nagayakshi, Mother Goddess of all Nagas along with Nagaraja and Ashtanagas reside in the Sarpa-kavu of this ancient Mana. The idols of the goddess in the sanctum are unique for their exquisite carvings which have deep symbolic meanings and are the biggest of its kind in Kerala.

Vettakkoruvan Temple

Vettakkoruvan is ‘Kirata Siva’, Lord Siva in his hunter aspect (as a hunter he had given His darshan to Arjuna and bestowed on him the Pasupata-astra), and is traditionally considered the ‘karnavar’ (eldest counsel to the Mana) in addition to being a tutelary deity. The ancient idol was re-consecrated in the newly built temple within the Mana’s temple complex.

Gurudev’s Shrine

As a befitting tribute to the omnipresent guiding presence of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, there is a holy shrine built in the vicinity of the temple complex. This is used as a meditation hall as well as a venue for paduka puja, vidyarambha and upanayana functions and other private prayers.

Temples in Adi Sankara Nilayam