About four decades ago, there existed in the Chennai Metropolis no temple dedicated exclusively to Lord Ayyappa. In the absence of any institutionalized service, devotees proceeding to Sabarimala during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku seasons had to fend for themselves. Indeed, Ayyappan Vilakku used to be conducted in several areas of the city as an annual feature,... Here the annual Ayyappan Vilakku used to be conducted in the premises of a temple on Melpadi Muthu Naicken Street or in the precincts of Asalathamman Koil, later on North Mada Street in Nungambakkam. During the celebrations in 1967 the organizers, seized of the problems encountered by the devotees undertaking pilgrimage to the Holy Hills, decided to launch an action plan to provide minimum facilities to them. Leading lights including Sarvasri P.B.Nair, R.S.Kaimal, K.V.Thankappan Nair, K.Bhaskaran, C.P.G.Nambiar, T.M.G.Kurup, V.S.Mani iyer. etc. were in the forefront.