Ayyappa Samaaj Information

AyyappaSamaaj is a virtual organization that was formed by a group of active devotees of Lord Ayyappa in the San Francisco Bay area. We started by creating our Yahoo Mailing group () and driving membership to the group. We are proud to have hundreds (if not thousands) of active members in the Yahoo group. We also formed a volunteer specific sub group called AyyappaSamaajVolunteers (). The Ayyappa Shrine in Sabarimala is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in India. Devotees of Swami Ayyappan exemplify the concept of universal brotherhood; belonging to different regions, religions, economic and social statuses yet knit together closely into a community that is solely committed to the service of our beloved Swami Ayyappan. Many thousands of devotees of Swami Ayyappan (possibly millions) live in the United States. In the SF Bay area, there are many temples, but there "was" no permanent shrine for Swami Ayyappan. Local Ayyappa devotees yearned for an organization that could bring the scores of Ayyappa devotees together to assemble and participate in the service of Lord Ayyappa and build HIS permanent shrine. Thus was born Ayyappa Samaaj. yyappa Samaaj was founded with the goal of creating a nimble, fast moving organization that serves the needs of Ayyappa devotees worldwide. When we look back at what Ayyappa Samaaj has been involved in over the years, the divine intervention of Swami Ayyappan is evident every step of the way. Whilst the focus of Ayyappa Samaaj continues to be on Lord Ayyappa's service and devotion, the organization has consciously attempted to broaden its mission to encompass the larger spiritual and cultural needs of the community in the Bay area.Today Ayyappa Samaaj is an IRS recognized 501 (c)3 non-profit organization which serves as a point of continuity and confluence for Ayyappa devotees.