Ayappa Temple

About Ayappa Temple

Ayappa Temple is a unique temple resembling the Holy Shrine of Shree Dharma Shastha (Ayyappa) at Sabarimala, Kerala, crowning the Western Ghats. This temple attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year.

The major festival is ‘Mandala Makara Vilakku’ festival (mid November to mid January), which starts with the Mudhradhanam for the devotees who undertake pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Festivals apart from the usual Hindu festivals which are celebrated here are ‘Pankuni Uttiram’- the birthday of Shree Ayyappa, ‘Prathista Dinam’, ‘Vishu’ (New Year)- April 14th, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashami, and Deepawali.

Interesting things to do

Boat Trips:
The seaport located on the back side of the gateway, offer the boat riding. The tourist can enjoy the boat trips by paying a reasonable charge.

Elephanta Island:
Fishing boat near Elephanta Island Bombay Mumbai IndiaThe Island located just 10 Kms from Gateway of India, contains a fine cluster of 6th-8th century rock cut caves. The caves have beatifully executed sculptures, the most interesting is the five metre high Mahesmurthy or Trimurthi. It represents three aspects of Shiva, such as the creator, the preserver and the destroyer.

Never-ending bazaar:
The large open area below and surrounding the arch is always filled with street performers, vendors, photographers, snake charmers, and just about anyone else who wants a guaranteed audience in front of a largely tourist crowd that also includes commuting locals.

Interesting things to Visit

Juhu Beach:
Spread for 5 kilometers along the shore of Arabian Sea, Juhu beach is the most visited destination of Mumbai both by the locals and tourists. A walk in the serene sea line may give you an amazing experience specially when the sun sets to make his journey to the West. In the evenings and on weekends, the beach virtually turns into an undeclared fair and you may feel that life can’t be as ecstatic as this. Your Mumbai trip can’t be complete until you make a visit to ever charming Juhu Beach.

Mahalaxmi Temple:
One of the most visited Hindu shrines in Mumbai, the Mahalaxmi temple has an interesting legend behind it. The temple was built by a contractor at the end of the 18th century. The man claimed that Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, appeared to him in a dream. The contractor, who had been assigned the project of building a sea wall by the British, also said the Goddess had promised him success if he built Her a temple. An idol, which was actually found during the excavation for the project, was installed in the temple.

Prince of Wales Museum:
The Prince of Wales museum is another major attraction of Mumbai. Built in the year 1914, it is surrounded by a beautiful landscape forming an ideal getaway for the people of Mumbai. The museum houses art, sculpture, rare coins, and old firearms and a priceless collection of miniature paintings. The Prince of Wales museum is regarded as one of the best museums in the country.

Marine Drive:
A stroll down the Marine Drive is the best way to discover Mumbai. This winding stretch of road with tall buildings on one side and sea on the other extends from Nariman Point to Malabar Hills. Due to its curved shape and many street lights, it was once called the Queen’s Necklace. A popular sea front, Marine Drive is also the main thoroughfare linking for the Malabar Hills to the southernmost points of Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, and the Fort.

Hanging gardens:
The Hanging Gardens makes another must see site in Mumbai. The park was built during the early 1880s over Mumbai’s main reservoir at the top of the Malabar Hills. The reason of its location being to cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of Silence. Located just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, this terraced garden, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Garden, is famous among the locals as well as tourists. The garden provides lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea.

Chowpatty Beach:
Another sandy gateway of Mumbai is the Chowpatty beach in the suburbs of the city. Chowpatty is perhaps the most famous beach of Mumbai, characterised by the usual hustle and bustle of stallwalahs, people snoozing under the shade of its stunted trees, screaming kids, Ferris wheels, pony rides, wayside astrologers, monkey shows, and even the odd self-styled gymnast demonstrating their skill for a fee. Moreover, the bhelpuri shops and sometimes the film shoot or a street play also adds to the festive atmosphere of the beach. A beach of action, Chowpatty makes a must visit in Mumbai.

Versova Beach,29 km away:
Versova Beach is also a popular beach like Juhu. It is home to Mumbai’s largest Koli fishing community.
Access: By suburban electric train to Andheri and from there 5km by road.

AArey Milk Colony,35 km) away:
A modern dairy farm set amidst gardens, it supplies milk to the city of Mumbai. The Central Dairy is open to visitors between 9am and noon and 4 and 7pm. Cottages for picnickers are available and can be reserved through the Chief Executive Officer, Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai.

Erangal Beach,35 km away:
A beautiful place with golden sands. The suburban electric train stops at Malad, from where the journey must be made by road.

Nearest Visiting places

Bassein (Vasai),77km away:
Bassein or Vasai was an ancient Portuguese settlement located about 77 km to the north of Mumbai, near the Thane creek. The Bassein Fort was constructed in 1532 by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. Ruins of the Fort and the Cathedral of St. Joseph and the Churches of St Antony and St. Paul can be seen in this fort. The city walls are still intact. There are also decorative gateways inscribed with coats of arms and Portuguese graves dating back to 1558.
Access: Bassein or Vasai is 77 kms by road along the Mumbai- Ahmedabad highway. The nearest station is Bassein or Vasai on the Western Railway. From there the fort can be reached by auto-rickshaw or taxi.

Gorai and Manori Beaches,59 km away:
Dotted with quaint villages on either side, the twin beaches of Manori and Gorai are located across the creek from Borivili or Malad. These beaches are generally safe to swim expect during the monsoons when it becomes dangerous due to strong underwater currents. These villages offer a peaceful retreat with plenty of dried fish, palm trees etc. Essel World, the amusement park is located in Gorai village.
Access: The nearest railway stations are Borivili or Malad from where the journey must be made by road and sea (Ferry). Also approachable by road via Bhayandar on Western Express Highway. Private shacks are available for stay.

Kanheri Caves,45 km away:
Situated in the heart of Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park- around 7km from the parks entrance, the complex contains 109 Buddhist caves. Carved out of natives rock, the caves that form the complex are believed to have been occupied by Buddhist monks for nearly a thousand years, starting 2nd century A.D., thus making them one of the oldest rock monasteries in the country. Caves No.1,2,3 are noteworthy for their massive pillars, sculptures and stupas.
Access : Located 45km east of Mumbai city, the caves are 10 km from the Borivili railway station.

Ghodbunder,43.5 km away:
A beautifully landscaped Golden Valley Resort. Originally a farmhouse surrounded by paddy fields and mango plantations. It is an enchanting picnic spot.
Access: The suburban electric train stops at Borivili from where Ghodbunder is 9.6km by road.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Fort,61 km away:
Between Pen and Panvel lies the fort Karnala which is at a height of 445m above sea level. At the bottom of the fort is the famous Karnala bird sanctuary, located 61km south of Mumbai. About 150 species of birds have been spotted here, 30 of which are migratory. The rare Ashy Minivet, a native of the Philippines, has also been seen here. The best time to visit is from November to February.
Access: There are buses to Panvel from Mumbai. From there it is 10km through NH17 to Karnala.

Karla Caves,117 km away:
The Buddhist rock-cut Chaitya Hall of Karla dates to the 2nd century B.C. and is said to be the most perfect of its kind. An inscription at the entrance attributes its excavation to Bhutapal of Vaijayanti.
Access: The caves are located 15 km from Lonavla, which is 102 km south east of Mumbai on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. The caves are approached by a rough path of about 2km.from Malavli. Sedan chairs available.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Hotel Marriott
Juhu Tara Rd, Mumbai, Mumbai City,
Maharashtra 400049

Hotel Orchid
70, Nehru Rd, Mumbai, Mumbai City,
Maharashtra 400099

Hyatt Regency Hotel
Airport Rd, Mumbai, Mumbai City,
Maharashtra 400099

Help Line/Phone Number

About 40km from Mumbai, this sleepy beach near the Portuguese- favored fishing village of Manori is a weekend retreat for the people of Mumbai and the venue of occasional beach parties. It offers a refreshing change from the bustle of India’s most busy metropolis.Manori Beache are among the most picturesque beaches that Mumbai boasts of…..more

The Jogeshwari Caves are some of the earliest Hindu cave temples sculptures located in the Mumbai suburb of Jogeshwari, India. The caves date back to 520 to 550 CE. The caves are located off the Western Express Highway, and are surrounded by encroachments. The caves are used as a temple by the encroachers. The caves are classified as endangered as sewage and waste enter the premises. They are also infested with bats……more

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Location info

• **Address:**NCH colony,Mumbai Suburban District,Maharashtra,India.

• **District:**Mumbai Suburban District.

• Nearest City: Mumbai.

• Best time to visit: Oct to Feb.

Climate & weather

Mumbai has a tropical wet and dry climate.

How to reach Ayappa Temple

• Nearest Railway Station: Mumbai Central.

• Nearest Airport: Mumbai International Airport.

• **Road Transport:**All kinds of private and public transport are available.It has good road facilities which makes it easily reachable.

Nearest petrol pump

Available in the nearby Town.

Best time to visit Ayappa Temple

Throughout the year. Major festivals draw large crowds. October to March offers the most comfortable weather.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Some temples close for a few hours in the afternoon (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM).

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry. Special darshan or pooja may require separate fees.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for darshan and exploration. More time during festivals or special occasions.

Safety tips

Remove footwear before entering the sanctum. Follow temple dress codes — cover shoulders and knees. Secure your belongings. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals.

Things to carry

Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered), a shawl or scarf, small change for offerings, and a water bottle.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: depends on location (Mumbai, Pune, or Nagpur). Nearest railway station: the nearest station on the Central or Western Railway line. Well-connected by state highways.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Maharashtra’s cities have diverse food scenes. Mumbai and Pune offer everything from street food (vada pav, pav bhaji) to fine dining. Hill stations have chikki and local snacks. Temple towns offer Maharashtrian thali and local specialities.

History of Ayappa Temple

This temple is a revered place of worship in Maharashtra, drawing devotees from the region. It represents the rich spiritual and architectural heritage of the state.

Frequently asked questions

What are the temple timings? Most temples open early morning (around 5:00–6:00 AM) for the first aarti and close after the evening aarti (around 8:00–9:00 PM). Many temples close for a few hours in the afternoon.

Is there a dress code? Yes, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required at most temples. Some temples provide shawls or sarongs at the entrance.

Are cameras allowed inside? Photography is often allowed in the temple complex but may be restricted inside the inner sanctum. Check signage at the entrance.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Mumbai’s Gothic and Victorian churches, Pune’s colonial-era churches, and the Portuguese-influenced churches of the Konkan coast offer rich architectural photography. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra is iconic. Early morning light is best for city churches.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable weather
• Significance: Important religious and spiritual site for devotees
• Dress code: Traditional and modest attire recommended
• Photography: Check local guidelines; photography may be restricted in inner sanctums

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Free entry at most temples. Donations are voluntary.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Ayappa Temple
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: religious precincts of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Ayappa Temple, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Ayappa Temple

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Ayappa Temple on popular travel photography sites and social media.