The Samiti, founded in 1985 and registered as Nerul Sri Ayyappa Seva Samiti under The Bombay Public Trust Act vide A-926(THN) in the year 1988, is named after Lord Ayyappa, the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (in Mohini, a delusory and enchanting form). Lord Ayyappa is considered the protector of the weak. Lord Shiva is the God of destruction while Lord Vishnu is the God of sustenance. The combination of these powers gave birth to Ayyappa. Hence, He helps destroy all negative tendencies in the heart of humans and maintain the pure Satvic nature in the seeker and endows him with gyana (knowledge) leading to spiritual liberation.

The Samiti propagates the solidarity of man, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region. With these objectives in view, the Samiti has been functioning in a variety of spheres - charitable, social, cultural and spiritual - for the last quarter a century.

The Samiti has more than six hundred Life Members hailing from various States and Religions. The efficient and effective functioning of the Samiti rests with the Board of Trustees which is being constituted at the Annual General Meeting every year. Sub committees are formed every year to look after the various activities of the Samiti including the temple and the socio welfare complex.

Genesis

It is proper to highlight, while writing about the Samiti, the history of the Nerul Township, the biggest node of Navi Mumbai. When the idea of conducting a 3 day Ayyappa pooja during mandala session was mooted by a few Keralites in 1985, a decision was taken to approach all residents irrespective of cast, creed and community to join the Samiti. The response was very good. The pooja was held in the second week of December 1985 with much fanfare. 1986 and 1987 also saw the same response from the devotees and the function could be held in a better manner comparatively. In 1988 the then Managing Committee decided to conduct Carnatic music classes and to open a full fledged office. Accordingly a one room apartment was taken on rental basis and it was used as class room for music and the samiti’s office.In 1988, the Samiti approached the CIDCO for land to build a temple and to conduct other activities.   Despite the initial denials by CIDCO citing the reason that the land was a scarce commodity, it ultimately allotted a plot admeasuring 452 Sq meters in on 28th November, 1995 to construct a temple. On 12th April 1996 the foundation stone was laid by HH Swamy Vishweshwerananda Saraswathy, the acharya of Brahmapuri Nityanandasram, Ganeshpuri. As per the astrological findings, the temple had to be consecrated before 14th July 1996. Accordingly the consecration of temples for Sri Ayyappa, Lord Ganapathy and Devi Bhadra was performed on 19th June 1996.

Samiti Today

The plot allotted to the Samiti by the CIDCO was not sufficient to implement the aims and objectives of the Samiti. Hence, the Samiti approached the CIDCO for allotment of an adjacent plot of 272 square meters and the CIDCO was kind enough to allot the same for constructing the socio-welfare complex.

Accordingly, the socio-welfare complex was built and it was inaugurated on 26th May 2002. Now, there are 3 medium size auditoria and basement for office in this building. A Nationalised Bank is operating from the first floor of the building. A library (with religious books) and a reading annexe are also functioning from the premises. A charitable dispensary attended by Homeopathy Doctors is giving free consultation to the needy. Classes for various performing arts such as Karnatic Music, Bharatnatyam, Mrudangam, Kathak Dance and Hindustani Music are conducted by renowned teachers at the complex. Meditations and Yoga classes are conducted daily in the morning and evening. The auditoria are used for conducting various religious functions such as discourses by eminent personalities of Hindu religion, weddings, etc.