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Lord Ayyapa, Report by M.P.Prasanna Kumar
The world renowned Mandir of Lord Ayyappa is situated atop Sabari Hill - Sabarimala - in the Western Ghats of Kerala. This ancient temple attracts millions of pilgrims from all over India. Sabarimala today is said to be a source of Peace and Harmony.
Lord Ayyappa, "Ishta Devatha" of Keralities is an "Avathara" of "Sastha" who is the son of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara (Lord Shiva) and is known by many names - Dharma Sastha (who chastises and leads to righteous living), Taraka Brahman (the deliverer), Kaliyuga Varadan (the protector from the evil propensities of Kaliyuga) and Sarva Roga Nivarana Dhanwantari Murthi (who cures all diseases). Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi says : "The Puranas contain instances of Narayana assuming a feminine charm capable of attracting the austere mind of Shiva. When this merciful charm of Narayana and the serene jnana of Shiva combined, an effulgent light was the outcome. Out of this Tejas was born Ayyappa, also known as Ayyanar, Sastha or Hariharaputra".
Lord Ayyappa took his human form on the soil of Kerala, where he has been loved and worshipped for centuries. Sabarimala is situated in the thick forests of Pattanamthitta District, Kerala. According to the legend, Lord Ayyappa was born to annihilate Mahishi, a demoness who caused destruction of the pious. For this He had to take a mortal form and live as an earthly being, it is believed. As a baby He was abandoned on the banks of the river Pamba where he was found and brought up by the King of Pandalam who was longing for a son. The divine boy named 'Manikantan' grew up as a Prince and performed his ordained deeds and, having fulfilled that mission, merged himself with the idol of Sastha of Sabari Hills.
After the annihilation of "Mahishasuri" and on the successful completion of divine dharma, the Lord decided to recide on the sacred land, the "Sabarimala" in Kerala, where the great Tapaswani, "Sabari" was given darshan by Lord Rama and "moksha" by Lord Ayyappa.
Keralites, are privileged to be born in this sacred land ("Punyabhumi") where a number of principal Avatharas of Almighty ("Sarveswara") have either taken place or were associated with it - "Vamana Avatharam", "Narsimha Avatharam", "Parasurama Avatharam", and "Ayyappa Avatharam", took place in Kerala. Lord Shree Rama during his "Vanavasa" and wandering in search of Mother Sita reached the banks of sacred Pampa River, which is considered the sacred Ganga of the South because it originates at the lotus feet of the Lord at "Ponnambalam". There the great 'rishis' did abhishekam' to the Lord after seating him on the 'Ratna Simhasanam' in the "Ponnambalam", which was created by their 'Tapobala'. The Lord did "Prithiru Karmas" and met "Anjaneya" (Hanuman), the Rudra Avathara of Lord Shiva and gave Darsan to Sabri, the great Tapaswini. It is believed that Lord Krishna had also visited Kerala in search of the Crest Jewel, the "Semanthakam" fought with 'Jambavan' and finally took away two jewels with Him - the "Semanthakam" and "Jambavathi", the daughter of Jambavan, who is one among the right principal consorts of Sarveswara, Krishna.
Sage Parasurama, has a great concern and special liking for the well-being of the Keralites, which is evident form the fact that the sage installed the idol of Lord Ayyappa seated in the yogic pose "Veerasanam" with "Chinmudra" by the right hand in the presence of the great sage "Agasthya" at the Sabarimala at the auspicious time on "Makara Sankranty Day" in the temple constructed by Lord Ayyappa's foster father Rajasekhara, the King of Pandalam, with 18 sacred steps which represent the 18 Hills of the Lord ("Poonkavanam"), which, in turn, represent the 18 Hill Devas for whom the Padipujas are offered. They also represent 18 "Thathva Sopanams".
Sage Agasthya, whose "thapobala" is so great that he could balance the weight of mother earth by sitting at South when all the "muppathi mukkodi devas" went to Mount Kailash to participate in the devine union of Lord Shiva with His Shakti, Mother Parvathi, has in fact detailed the rites, rituals and pujas in the temple at Sabarimala as well as the austeries ("Vratham") to be observed by th edevotees when they undertake their pilgrimage to Sabarimala for the darshan of the Lord after trekking the "Poonkavanam" of the Lord and climbing the sacred 18 steps. Those who climb the sacred 18 steps with due observation of the "Vratham" will be absolved of all their sins.
Sage Parasurama, also brought an Andhra Brahmin family and made them as Thantris at Sabarimala. The Thantris of Sabarimala Temple is inherited the Melsanthis' post is by selection on an yearly basis. The Thantri is the Authority with discretionary powers to regulate the rites and rituals as per the temple tradition. Most of the important pujas are performed by the Thantri himself, except the Usha Puja and the Athazhapuja, which are performed by the Melsanthi.
Thath Thvam Asi
When a devotee climbs the 18 sacred setps, he is greeted with the great saying in "Rig Veda" "Thath Thvam Asi" (That Thou Art) which reminds you that you are essentially that - the Supreme Reality. Ayyappa worship reveals itself a well designed system which has no place for narrow minded sectarian restrictions such as caste, creed, religion or nationality. It offers a set of practical disciplines to activate the divine energies to reinforce life with a deeper perception and broader outlook. The caste system with its discriminative stance never had any place in the Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala. Vavar, a Muslim is worshipped as a lieutenant of Lord Ayyappa and Muslim priest belonging to Vavar's family still distributes sacred ash as "Prasadam" to the pilgrims in front of the Temple. In Alapuzha District, there is also a Christian Church known as "Arthingal Church of Veluthachan" associated with the lore of Lord Ayyappa. The unique feature of our Ayyappa Temple is that it is open to the people of all faiths and many non-Hindus undertake pilgrimage to this Temple. Ayyappa cult gives much importance to secularism and communal harmony and has turned out to be a model for the whole world. Another significant aspect of pilgrimage is that all the pilgrims, whether rich or poor, learned or illiterate, holding position or not, master or servant, are equal before the Lord and address each other as "Ayyappa" and Swami"
Only those pilgrims who have observed vratham and carry "Irumudikettu" ("Pallikettu") are allowed entry through the holy "Pathinettampadi". Women between age group of 10 and 50 are not permitted to undertake Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Way to the Sabarimala
Pilgrims from North India can go to Sabarimala by air or by train. By air, the pilgrim reaches Trivandrum or Cochin and can proceed to Sabarimala by bus or by taxi - a journey of some hours. Trains take the pilgrim to Cochin or Kottayam from where he can got to Sabarimala by road.
From Chalakkayam or Pamba, pilgrims are to walk upto the temple which is 7.25 Kms. The traditional route is from Erumeli which is 56.50 Kms from the temple.
The main worship period in the temple is 41 days during Mandalam Festival (around November 16 to December 26), Makara Vilakku Festival (around January 1 to 20) and Vishnu (around April 11 to 18), besides the monthly Puja for 4 days around the middle of each English month.
Makara Vilakku Festival
The idol of Sastha was constructed and installed at Sabarimala on the first day of the Malayam month of Makaram (mid-January). Makara Vilakku is celebrated in observance of that auspicious day. On this day a twilight "Makara Jyothi" is seen facing the deity over the hills at a distance.
Mandalam Festival
The observance of austerity for 41 days begins on the first of Vrishchika (mid-November), and that period is known as Mandalam.
Between Mandalam and Makara Vilakku over 5 million people visit the temple every year and no one returns without the darshan of the Lord.
Facility for accommodation, food, etc., are available from a variety of agencies - Government and the temple authorities and voluntary agencies at Sabarimal.
A traditional pilgrimage to Sabarimala requires a set of austerities to be observed for a period of 41 days from the day the pilgrim puts on himself a sacred chain made of Tulsi Beads or Rudraksha which is a constant reminder of the pilgrimage.
Brahmacharya (celibacy), satwic food, gentle words and behaviour, compassion for all living beings and having satsang, constitute the essential aspects of this austerity. Tradition does not permit girls/women between the ages of 10 and 50 to visit the temple.
The Ayyappa temple at R.K. Puram, Sector-2, New Delhi is dedicated to the deity where rituals and offerings are held strictly according to the customs and practices of Sabarimala. Intending pilgrims to Sabarimala can contact the Secretary of the R.K. Puram temple for further information, in person or by telephone No. 671962.
