yyappan (also called Sastavu, Manikandan or Sasta) is a Hindu deity who is the son of

Harihara, a rigvedic deity fused with both Shiva and Vishnu. He is generally depicted in a yogic
posture, wearing a jewel around his neck, hence named Manikandan, Literally meaning "With
bell around the neck".
By the 20th century, there has been an increase in the number of worshipers of Ayyappan from
many different groups, spurred by vast improvements in transport and communication in
southern India.[2]
Ayyappan's annual festival is a time of pilgrimage for ever-growing numbers of men from
throughout South India. The most prominent and famous Ayyappan shrine is the one at
Sabarimala, in the hills of Pathanamthitta in Kerala, with over 30 million devotees visiting it
every year,[3] making it one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the world. These devotees fast and
engage in austerities under the leadership of a Periya Swami (one who has undertaken the
pilgrimage to Sabarimala for 18 years) for weeks barefoot and then travel in groups to the shrine
for a glimpse of Ayyappan. Bus tickets are hard to obtain for several weeks as masses of elated
men, clad in distinctive ritual dhotis of saffron, black and light blue colors, throng public
transportation during their trip to the shrine.[4]
The name "Sri Ayyappan" is used as a respectful form of address in Malayalam and Sanskrit. The
equivalent of Sri is "Thiru" in Tamil. The mantra Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa is translated in
English as, "Lord Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you".[5]

Contents

1 Etymology
2 Legends surrounding Ayyappan
o

2.1

3 In popular culture

4 See also

5 References

6 External links

Etymology
Ayyappan is known as "Hariharasutan" because he is the son of Hari (Vishnu), the saviour and
Hara (Shiva), the destroyer. His most common name is "Manikandan" because when the king
Rajasekara Pandiyan of Pandalam found little Ayyappan in a forest there was a "mani" (bell, in
Malayalam) tied around his "kanda" (neck, in Sanskrit).[6][7]
As Dharma Sastha, many of them consider him to be born out of the union between Mohini (an
avatar of Vishnu) and Shiva.[8]

Legends surrounding Ayyappan

An ancient idol of Shasta Dharma, a form of Ayyappan

The asura Mahishi was burning up with anger at the trick the gods had pulled on her brother, the
asura king Mahishasura. As Mahishasura was blessed with invulnerability to all men, the gods
had sent goddess Durga, to fight and kill him. Thus, Mahishi began performing a fearsome set of
austerities, and pleased the creator god Brahma. She asked for the boon of invulnerability, but
Brahma said it was not possible so Mahishi planned and asked invulnerability to all men except
by the son of Shiva and Vishnu (Both are male & no possibility to give birth to any one). He
granted her the boon of ruling the universe and being invulnerable except by the son of Shiva
and Vishnu. Since such a person did not exist, she thought she was safe and began conquering
and plundering the world.
The gods implored Shiva and Vishnu to save them from this catastrophe. Vishnu found a possible
solution to the problem. When Vishnu had taken on the Kurma Avatar, he also had to manifest
himself as Mohini, the enchantress, to save the nectar of immortality (ambrosia or amrit) from
the demons who were not willing to share it with the gods. If he became Mohini again, then the
female Mohini and the male Shiva could have the divine child who would combine the powers of
Durga as per Brahmand Purana and beat Mahishi. Skanda purana states that Durga took birth in
masculine form as Dharamshasta.[9]
Some versions give a slightly more detailed version of the union of Shiva with Vishnu. One
version tells that the asura Bhasmasura (Bhasma means 'Ashes') had so pleased Lord Shiva with
his austerities that Shiva gave him a boon of anything he wished. So Bhasmasura asked for the
ability to burn to ashes anything which he placed his hand over. No sooner had Shiva granted
this, than Bhasmasura ran after the god, threatening to turn him to ashes.
Shiva called to Lord Vishnu for help. He hide himself in a peepal tree as Bhasmasura ran here
and there searching for the god. Vishnu became aware of the events, and decided that he would
take the female form Mohini, "the Enchanting", and try to trump the asura's powers. When
Bhasmasura saw Vishnu in this form, he was bewitched by her beauty. He earnestly tried to court
her. So Vishnu instructed Bhasmasura to hold his hand over his head, and vow fidelity. With this
act, Bhasmasura was reduced to ashes.

Vishnu found Shiva and explained the whole affair to him. Shiva asked if he too could see
Vishnu in this female form. When Vishnu appeared thus, Shiva was overcome with passion, and
united with her. The two gods thus became "Harihara Murthi", that is a composite form of Shiva
and Vishnu as one god.
From this union, Lord Sree Dharma Sastha was born. He combined in himself the powers of
Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Ayyappan is an incarnation of Lord Sree Dharma Sastha and Lord
Ayyappan is a visible embodiment of their essential identity. Sri Ayyappa belongs to Pandya
Royal Community. He was the head of a clan. It is believed Sri Ayyappa merged to sri dharma
sastha. Lord Vishnu gifted the new-born deity with a little bejeweled bell necklace, so this god is
called Manikantha. He is also Known as Dharma Shastha.
There are many popular stories associated with Him among the devotees. The stories differ, but
there are certain common elements:

Ayyappa lived in the Pandalam Palace as the son / savior of the King.
He had super-human or divine knowledge, wisdom, and courage and loved the King and
his people.

He protected the King and the kingdom from the attacks of enemies.

At the end of His life in Pandalam, He vanished into the forests and is ever since
worshiped at the Sabarimala temple.

The most popular and widely accepted story tells that Lord Ayyappa had His human sojourn as
the son of the Raja of Pandalam. At that time, Raja Rajasekhara Pandiyan ruled the kingdom of
Pandalam. During one of his hunting expeditions, the Raja was puzzled to hear the wails of a
child on the banks of the river Pampa, and was surprised to find a resplendent infant there. The
beautiful baby with radiant face wore a bead ('mani') around his neck. The King, though pious,
charitable, just, and God-fearing, had no children. He accepted the child as God's gracious
response to his fervent prayer for an heir to his throne. Manikandan grew into a boy well versed
in academic lore and martial arts. Meanwhile the Rani gave birth to a son. The King regarded
Manikandan as his elder son. He decided to crown him as the Yuvaraja. The King's corrupt
Minister had a deep dislike for Manikandan, and made the innocent Queen believe that ill would
befall her if Manikandan was crowned Yuvaraja and that the kingdom actually belonged to her
son.
They conspired to get rid of Manikandan by hook or crook. They bribed the royal physician into
becoming an accomplice of theirs. The Rani pretended to be afflicted with severe pain in the
stomach, and the physician prescribed the milk of a tigress as the only cure. The King knew that
none could be deputed for a mission that was so patently suicidal. However, the youthful and
valiant Manikandan stepped forth and volunteered to fetch the milk. Despite the worried
protestations of his foster-father, he set out for the fearful forests.
Days later, Manikandan entered the palace precincts riding a fierce tigress and followed by a
pack of its cubs. The schemers were frightened into confessing their nefarious plot. They and
others now knew that Manikandan was no ordinary being. They were convinced of His divine

origins, and prayed to Him to be with them for their own salvation and for the safety of the
kingdom. However, Manikandan was now determined to leave the place.
Filled with happiness, grief, fear, wonder and bhakti and self-surrender, the king prayed for the
mercy and blessings of Manikandan. He repented he could not fully visualize the truth of the
divine powers of the Lord and repeatedly requested Him to forgive him for behaving as if He
were only his son. The Lord lovingly embraced the King who continued to pray: " Lord, kindly
bless me by freeing me from my egos and the worldly life of birth and rebirth and grant me '
moksha (salvation). Kindly continue to be the saviour of my family and stay eternally in my
kingdom. Manikandan then enlightened the King on the path of attainment of 'moksha'. These
words of the Lord are contained in Bhuthanathageetha'. To the King who is by now mentally
cleansed and completely immersed in 'bhakthi', Lord Ayyappa said: "I am to free you from all
worldly sorrows & worries and to grant you 'moksha'. All those who are and would be born in
your family shall have my blessings unfailingly. I am always accessible to 'bhakthi' and only
'bhakthi." The Lord 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 'vrutham' and what the devotees
can attain by His 'darshan'.
The Lord further consoled the King saying that the devotees who held him and his descendants
in 'bhakthi' shall happen to be devoted to Him as well. Manikandan then blessed the King and all
others assembled there, and vanished. The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala,
dedicated to Him.
There are various tales connected with Lord Ayyappa: the discovery of the child at Pampa,
Manikandan's youthful days in the Pandalam palace, bestowing the power of hearing and
speaking upon the deaf and dumb son of His teacher as Guru-dakshina, His friendship with
Vavar, bringing the tigress's milk, accomplishing His divinely destined mission of annihilation of
the demoness Mahishi, eliminating the forest-thug Udayanan, bestowing moksha on Sabari,
blessing His foster-father with moksha and so on. Legend also goes to say that Manikandan was
the incarnation of Lord Dharma Sastha. Raja Rajasekhara was in his previous birth a rich and
pious 'Brahmin ' by name Vijayan who was a very strong believer and devotee of Lord Dharma
Sastha.
Another tale goes like this: Lord Ayyappan as Manikandan born to Pandala Maharaja is set to
conquer the King Udayan who is a strong Buddhist and has been harassing the people of Pamba
region. Maharaja sends Manikandan to learn martial arts Kalari to Cheerappanchira, the
Muhamma of today in Alappuzha district. The panicker there trains him of Kalari. It is here
where the Guru's daughter Nila falls in love with Lord Ayyappa (Manikandan) but He refuses to
marry telling he is a Bhrammachari and has a mission. She offers a sweet made out in a function
in their family which Lord likes. This sweet payasam was what turned out to be the
Aravanapayasam today.