Ayyappa Temple is situated on a hillock (Sastha Hills) at Dehu Road Contonement in
Pune District of
Maharashtra. It is about 20 km north-west of
Pune and is managed by the Sree Ayyappa Seva Sangham. The temple is dedicated to
Lord Ayyappa, the reigning deity of the famous
Sabarimala in
Kerala.
The temple stone was laid by Swami Vidyadharanandaji in 1964. The temple also houses a Dhwajastambam (flag staff) and a Naga Peetam. It also contains a compound wall, anakottil, valiambalam and
chuttambalam. Goddess Durga is also enshrined in the temple. From the temple one gets a beautiful view of the plains on the banks of the Indrayani River.
The temple conducts daily pujas and special rituals are held during Utram, Shashti and Ailyam. The temple festival is celebrated during January 7th to 14th. On the final day, a traditionally ornamented elephant carries the image of the deity in a grand procession in the evening and the festival concludes with the Arattu.
By road, frequent buses ply from Pune Bus Station to Dehu. Dehu Road Railway Station is the nearest railhead.
