THE BEGINNING In 1989, a few ardent devotees of Lord Ayyappa, originally hailing from Kerala and staying in and around Virar, came together with a vision to propagate Sanathana Dharma with an emphasis on Sri Ayyappa cult. Outcome of this get-together was regular annual Mandala Pujas and bhajans on every Saturday at some devotee’s residence. Gradually, Virar Ayyappa Bhaktha Mandal was formed as a public religious charitable trust registered under The Bombay Public Trus Act, 1950, and The Societies Registration Act, 1860.

THE FIRST MISSION The first mission of the trust was to construct a temple for Lord Ayyappa, and accordingly, a plot of land was acquired by the Mandal at Virat Nagar, PP Cross Road, Virar West, of course, with the whole-hearted effort of the torch-bearers of the Mandal and the support of the devotees and well-wishers. As a prelude to the temple construction, an ashta mangala deva prashnan (knowing the mind of the Lord), was conducted wherein it was revealed that a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva existed on this very same plot centuries ago. It was also pointed out that the forthcoming temple complex should be dedicated to Lord Shiva or any other deities related to Him. Consequently, with the divine permission, it was decided to construct a temple devoted to Lord Sri Ayyappa on the said plot of land.

THE BHUMI PUJAN For the Bhaktha Mandal, the day May 26, 1997, is written in golden letters... it was on this day that the bhumi pujan (laying of foundation stone) was done for the temple at the divine hands of temple thantri Brahmashree Peramangallur Parameshwaran Namboothiri, a renowned authority in thantra vidya, in presence of the then MLA, Sri Hitendraji Thakur. Thanks to the yeoman service of the Mandal members, generous donation by devotees and the philanthropic public of Virar, the Virar Ayyappa Bhaktha Mandal was able to construct the temple complex within 2 years.

THE TEMPLE COMPLEX The temple complex, Lord Ayyappa being the presiding deity and other deities being Lord Maha Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan and Goddess Devi and Naga Devathas, was designed and developed by Sri Satheeshan Achari (thachan), a well-known temple architect, as per the tenets of Kerala temple architecture. Sai Baba is considered as a guru and his idol is also installed in the temple. Pranaprathishta (consecration) was performed at the temple on March 15, 2000, by the temple thantri. A later addition to the complex is temple for navagrahas.