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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 launch of an ideology. The launch of something which was ahead of it's time.
Thanks to the continuous efforts of our leaders and Guruji's, the temple got the recognition it deserved.
The temple completes 50 years of divine existence. Spreading cultural and religious knowledge among all.
Officially declared as a place of heritage and recognized by the government as a tourist destination.
The temple trust launches an initiative to share the knowledge gained through years of experiences.
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.