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Lord Ayyapan or also called as just Ayyappa, is the Hindu God worshipped mostly in the southern part of India. Ayyappa is also known as ‘Hariharan Puthran’ and ‘Hariharaputra,’ both of which translate to the son of both ‘Hari’ (Vishnu) and ‘Haran’ (Shiva). He is known to be born out of the union of lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu who was in his only female form, Mohini. This explains his divine powers which are a combination of the powers of both lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The world-famous temple in Kerala’s Sabrimala needs no introduction. It is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ayyappa who is also called Manikanta.
Boon to Mahishi & Basmasura
Mahishi was the sister of the asura named Mahishasura. In her previous birth, she was the wife of Dattathreya who was the incarnation the trimurthis. Over her actions, Dattathreya once cursed his wife Leelavati to take birth as Mahishi as the sister of Mahishasura. After birth, she was made the Queen of Asuras.
Her brother Mahishasura was once blessed with the boon of invulnerability to all men. However, he went to create a ruckus in the three worlds and hence the Devas combined their powers to create Goddess Durga. She in turn killed the deadly asur, Mahishasura. It is through this incident that Goddess Durga is called Mahishasura Mardhini (The woman who ended Mahishasura). The death of her brother left Mahishi furious that all the Gods have plotted to kill her beloved brother. In anger, she began to perform a Tapasya to please Lord Brahma. She was given the boon of ruling the universe and being invulnerable except to a being that had not been born from a woman’s womb. Such a being never existed and hence left her arrogant. She hence began conquering and plundering the world.
Meanwhile, an asura named Basmasura was blessed with any boon he wished, from Lord Shiva. Basmasura asked for the boon that anything and everything he touched would burn into ashes. Lord Shiva gave him the boon he wished for. Later on, he wanted to test his boon on Lord Shiva. This left Lord Shiva worried and he had Basmasura after him trying to test the power of his boon. Lord Shiva then called for the help of lord Vishnu and hid himself in in the inside of a Peepal tree while basmasura was in search of him. Upon learning about these series of events, Lord Vishnu took the form of a female named Mohini. Mohini literally means enchanting woman. Lord Vishnu is said to have done so in an attempt to stop Basmasura.
At the very sight of lord Vishnu as Mohini, Basmasura fell for her. He tried many ways to impress her. Knowing about his boon, Lord Vishnu as Mohini, asked Basmasurs to hold his hand over his head and vow fiercely. As anything he touched was to be burnt into ashes, Basmasura was reduced to ashes. This way Lord Vishnu’s lesser popular incarnation as a female, saved Lord Shiva from Basmasura.
Union of Lord Shiva & Mohini
Later on, when Lord Vishnu met lord Shiva, he explains him the whole scene and how Basmasura ultimately turned into ashes and that he was then safe. Lord Shiva in delight, asked lord Vishnu if he could see the form of Mohini. Lord Vishnu then appears as Mohini and this leaves Lord Shiva mesmerized. He instantly falls for her beauty and overcomes his passion. It is believed that the Gods then united and through their union a baby boy was born. The union of the two Gods was called ‘Harihara’ where Hari was lord Vishnu and Hara was Lord Shiva. This justifies the name ‘Harihara’ to Ayyappa. The baby boy born combined in himself, the powers of both the gods – Vishnu and Shiva. This baby was Ayyappa. He was known to be born for a divine cause. This was to eliminate Mahishi and then become the cause of her attainment of Moksha.
At the Kingdom of Pandalam
The gods placed the baby near the banks of the River Pampa and left to Heaven. Meanwhile, King Rajashekhara who was the childless king of the kingdom Pandalam, was up for a hunt near the river with his men. They then hear the cries of a baby from somewhere near. After searching, they find a beautiful and divine baby boy. It is believed that at this point, a saint appeared and addressed King Rajashekhara. The saint asks him to take the baby to palace and that when the child turns twelve, he would know the divine reason and his history. Saying this, the saint disappears.
The King then takes the baby back to his palace and explains how the baby was found to his Queen. The Royal couple was delighted as they had been praying Lord Shiva for a baby and now, they were blessed with a baby. The kingdom was happy to have their heir at last and everything prospered with the arrival of Ayyappa. He was named Manikanta. Soon after king Rajashekhara adopted Ayyappa, his own biological son Raja Rajan was born. Both the boys grew up as princes. However, Ayyappa grew up to excel at martial arts and Vedas while the Guru himself was surprised at his abilities and other extraordinary talents. He suspected of the divine nature of Ayyappa.
After the completion of his studies under his Guru, Ayyappa was to offer Guru-Dakshina (fee to the teacher) to his Guru. The Guru tells him that he himself was blessed having sucha divine child as his student. Knowing that Ayyappa was a divine child, his Guru makes a request to Ayyappa. He asks him for the blessing of sight and speech for his blind and dumb son. Just as Ayyappa placed his hand over the head of the Guru’s child, he was blessed with vision and speech. Such were the powers of Ayyappa!
The Royal Conspiracy & Tigress’ Milk
Out of their two sons- Ayyappa and Raja Rajan, with Ayyappa being the eldest son, King Rajashekhara decided to crown Ayyappa as the next king. However, one of the ministers thought that he was to be crowned next and hence did not want Ayyappa to be the next king. He then devised plans to kill Ayyappa. Despite multiple attempts, he failed to do so. He then goes to the Queen to poison her with bad thoughts. He says that she herself had a biological son and he should be made the next King and not Ayyappa. Together they devise a plan to get Ayyappa killed. The plan was that the Queen had to fake an illness to which the only cure was supposed to be drinking tigress’ milk. Ayyappa was to be sent to the forest and he would then be in danger from the wild animals present there.
The Queen then cried out loudly, as advised by the minister, faked a severe stomach ache and a headache. The plan went on well and Ayyappa was sent to bring the milk of a tigress. The king makes arrangements for the departure of his beloved son. Although, Ayyappa refused to take any troops with him. He was sent with enough food stuff and coconuts with three eyes in the remembrance of Lord Shiva. The Panchabuthas, sent by Lord Shiva, also accompanied Ayyappa to the forest.
He is to have entered the forest for the divine cause that he was born for – the death of the asura princess Mahishi. He then fought a fierce battle with Mahishi and threw her down from the Devaloka (heaven). From there, she fell on the banks of Azhutha River. They clashed again at the Azhutha River. At the end of battle, Ayyappa climbed up on the chest of Mahishi and danced fiercely. Mahishi then understood the divine power that was dancing on her and realised that he was none other than the son of Hari and Hara – lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva themselves. She realised that it was her end and died. Lord Shiva and lord Vishnu witnessed this scene from a place Kalakatti and were pleased that Ayyappa, their son, has killed Mahishi and freed the world of her atrocities.
After the avenge of Mahishi, Lord Shiva appears and says that there was one more thing left to do. He asked Ayyappa to confront to the King Rajashekhara about his identity as he showed the most concern towards him. Lord Shiva told Ayyappa that Lord Indra would accompany him as a tiger. With Manikanta on the tiger and all the goddesses in disguise of tigresses accompanied them to the palace. Seeing the flock of tigers entering the palace, the royal family was terrified and understood the divinity of Manikandan. On seeing this, the Queen and the minister confess of their actions and realised the divine identity of Ayyappa. After this, Ayyappa disappeared from the scene.
The King’s Vision
However, the loss of his son has left the king in despair. He would not eat anything until his son returned back. On one day, the King saw a vision of Ayyappa in his divine form. The king then realised the divine nature of Ayyappa and constantly requested the lord to forgive him for behaviour. He asks for forgiveness from Ayyappa that he saw him as his own son. Filled with emotions of happiness, grief, fear, wonder, a sense of ‘Bhakti’ (devotion to God) and self-surrender invoked in the King. He then stood praying for the mercy and blessings of Harihara. The king asked him to direct him towards the path of Moksha (salvation), free from the worldly ego. The lord then addressed him that he would certainly return back and showed him the path of salvation. He however, told the king that since his life mission had been accomplished, he would have to return to heaven.
The Temple of Sabrimala
The king implored Lord Manikanta to allow him to build a temple and dedicate it to him and the Lord assented. Upon the request of the king, Ayyapapa agreed to get a temple built by the king. Ayyappa shot an arrow that fell at the top of Sabrimala and told the King that he could construct a temple at Sabarimala, north of the holy river Pampa and install His deity there. Ayyappa also explained how the Sabarimala pilgrimage shall be undertaken, emphasizing the importance of Penance, Vratham and what the devotees can attain by His ‘Darshan’. He then blessed the King and all others assembled there, and vanished. The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala, dedicated to him.
When the construction of the temple was completed, Lord Parasuram sculpted a figure of Lord Ayyappa and installed it in the temple on the day of Makar Sankranti. Thus, was Lord Ayyappa deified. Sabarimala in Kerala is the most famous Ayyappa shrine, visited by over 50 million devotees every year, making it one of the most popular pilgrimages in the world.
At the temple of Sabrimala, it is believed that Ayyappa has established a strict religious code of conduct to receive his blessings. First, the devotees would have to observe a 41-day penance before starting their pilgrimage. These devotees are should further maintain abstinence from physical pleasures and family ties, and live like a celibate, popularly known as ‘Brahmachari’ in Hinduism. Moving on, the devotees have to walk through their path on foot, bathe in the holy river Pampa, and finally climb up the eighteen stairs to reach the Sabarimala temple.
On the fourteenth day of January occurs the Hindu festival – Makara Sankranti or also called as Pongal. Despite the harsh weather conditions, the devotees cross the dense forests and then the steep hills to seek the blessings of the Lord. This day is considered an auspicious day to visit the temple at Sabrimala for pilgrims and devotees across the country. It is believed that it is on this day that the Lord himself is said to descend in the form of light, known as “Makara Vilaku”.
It is believed that Sabrimala is where a part of the lord resides to bless his devotees. This explains the millions of devotees who visit this temple every year with utmost devotion!
