SHANKARALAYAM “a ground plus four edifice, doting the eastern suburbs skyline of Mumbai in Chembur, is synonymous with divinity and spirituality more so, in the service of mankind. Meeting the quest of devotees, believers and seekers, SHANKARALAYAM is testimony to the ever growing influence of temples as institutions to lead the common man in the righteous path and towards self-realization.

Consecrated in the year 2002 the temple is abode to the presiding deities, DHARMA SASTHA (AYYAPPA), EKAMBARESWARAR (SHIVA) AND GODDESS KAMAKSHI (DEVI). At the entrance, the temple has the Sannidhis of Lord Ganapathy and Lord Anjaneya (HANUMAN) in structures made of natural stone as per South Indian temples architecture, beseeching the devotees to visit and receive the boundless blessings of the deities. The sanctum sanctorum inside is done up in the traditional South Indian temple art, and reflects the ever present positive vibrations emanating and pervasive inside.

Priests well versed in the Vedic and Agama sasthras perform the daily worships to the deities. The idol of Lord Dharma Sastha is made of “PANCHALOKA” while the “LINGAM” and “KAMAKSHI AMBAL” is made of stone, especially selected for the sculpting.

The ground floor hall with a sprawling 6000 Square Feet area is used for the conduct of spiritual gatherings like discourses, Bhajans, Namasankeertanams, meditation and special spiritual events.
The halls on the upper floors are used for the conduct of social, Cultural, Charitable functions and Meditation events and also to promote tradition based learnings and pursuits.

The idols were consecrated by His Holiness Jagadaguru Badari Shankaracharya Shri Vidyabhinava Sri Sri Krishnananda Teertha Mahaswamigal of Shree Kshetra Shakatapuram, located in Karnataka. His Holiness has named SHANKARALAYAM as ‘MINI SABARIMALA’ and the presiding deity Dharma Sastha as MINI SABARIMALA deity, and re-iterated that the idol is as powerful as the presiding deity at SABARIMALA, Kerala. His holiness exhorted Devotees and encouraged them to visit SHANKARALAYAM as an additional/alternate option for visiting Sabarimala.

Shankaralayam Sanstha is a registered trust under the Societies Act, conforming to all the legal and procedural requirements applicable to public trusts. The institution is managed by a professional group of trustees and members who are Spiritually and Socio-Charitably inclined, and the Trustees and the members are drawn from different pursuits and profession, lending a strong administrative base in conducting the affairs.

SHANKARALAYAM plays host to many scholars and experts in the field of spiritual discourses and spirituality. Eminent speakers and artists are ever ready to perform at SHANKARALAYAM evidencing the divinity and sanctity of the temple. The temple also undertakes various charitable activities for the under privileged by way of ANNADHANAM, conduct of marriages of economically weak couples, support for education of needy students and many more such socially relevant activities to service the needy and poor.

The annual MANDALAM celebrations of Lord Dharma Sastha is spread over 60 days of pious worships and offerings, conforming to traditions and rituals.

Significant contribution by “SHANKARALAYAM” in the Save Sabarimala campaign is noteworthy and needs special mention. As duty bound towards this onerous task of showing solidarity with the ever
Important and vexatious topic the institution organized a special meeting in its premises, inviting all Ayyappa devotees and those associated with the administration of all Ayyappa temples in the city of Greater Mumbai. The objective was to bring together all the interested parties under one roof to highlight the importance of the “Save Sabarimala Campaign” and to garner support for the movement across various section of the devotees to protect Sabarimala and Hindu Dharma at large. “Shankaralayam” is considered to be the leading arm for such important and crucial issues concerning our spiritual practices and beliefs and all institutions across Mumbai are ever ready to be following the lead taken by “SHANKARALAYAM”.

The institution also holds MAKARAM FESTIVAL every year, and has been bringing together notable and important dignitaries connected with the Ayyappa Cult. As part of its initiative to honor individuals who have campaigned for and contributed for “Save Sabarimala”, eminent activists like Mr. Ayyappa Das, Ms. Padma Pillai, Shri Sai Deepak, Ms. Sinu Joseph, Mr. Arvind Subramanian, members of the Pandalam Royal Family, members of Alangad Yogam and others were invited during the Makaram Festival and were honored in a glittering function in the presence of huge gathering of devotees and well- wishers for their contribution to the cause of SAVE SABARIMALA.

This year on the 1st of May, the 3rd Jeernodhara Maha Kumbhabhishekam, to the Deities in the temple of Shankaralayam, will be performed on 1st of May 2024 by His Holiness Jagadaguru Badari Shankaracharya Shri Vidyabhinava Sri Sri Krishnananda Teertha Mahaswamigal of Shree Kshetra Shakatapuram. The Ritual leading to the Maha Kumbhabhishekam will be performed by the leading Priest Shri Laxminarayana Somaiyaji, the Asthana Priest of Sringeri and Shakatapuram Mutts.

Hosts of dignitaries are going to come and witness this divine celestial event. To name a few, Hew Highness THAMBRATTI from the Royal Family of Travancore {Padmanabhaswamy Temple} Trivandrum, Dr. R. Chidambaram {Ex-principal scientific advisor to the Government of India}, Mr. Shapoorji –Managing Director of Shapoorji Pallonji, Dr. V. Shankar-President of Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and
Sangeetha Sabha, Mr. Ramesh Iyer-Managing Director-Mahindra Finance Ltd., Mr. K.S. Jayaraman-Managing Director- Auto Tech Industries Ltd.-Chennai, Dr. K. Subramanian-Vice Chairman-AFCONS, Mr. S. Paramasivan-Managing Director- AFCONS, Mr. Mannikan Sangameshwaran - Executive Director & CEO - Radiance Renewables, Mr. Ayyappa Das-National President-Akhila Bharatiya Ayyappa Dharma Prachar Seva Samiti, Ms. Padma Pillai- Ready to Wait- Women’s Association, Mr. Sasi Namboothiri-President of Mel Shanti Samajam and host of others.