The Myth Behind The Origin Of Lord Ayyappa And
The Divine Sabari Hill Temple

(PART II)

The Arrival of "Mohini"

The most appealing version of Mohini’s arrival narrates as follows. Once upon a time a Bhasmasura, one of the powerful Asura worshipped Lord Siva and performed severe penance. The Lord was pleased and granted the requested boon that whoever he touched with his hand would be turned to ashes. However, Bhasmasura couldn’t believe that Lord Siva would grant such a powerful boon. Therefore he decided to test the validity of the boon on Lord Siva himself. The Lord ran away with fear and approached Lord Visnu pleading for rescuing him from destruction. Lord Visnu decided to trick the Asura. He appeared before Bhasmasura in the form of an enchanting female named herself as "Mohini". Bhasmasura was excited with his passions and forgot his objective. He wanted Mohini to marry him. Mohini agreed subject to one condition that he should promise her by touching his own forehead that he would not think of another women then onwards. Overcome by passion, Bhasmasura forgot the consequences and touched his forehead.

Momentarily he turned into ashes.

Mohini returned to Lord Siva with the happy news. But on seeing Mohini Lord Siva himself enticed by her beauty. He succumbed to her charms and the result was the birth of "Sastha" or "Ayyappa". Ayyappa was born on the last day of the month of "Dhanu" on a Saturday (More precisely the myth corresponds to January 13th).

Incarnation of Lord Ayyappa and Sabari Hill Temple

The birth of Lord Ayyappa from Lord Siva (Hara) and Lord Vishnu (Hari) as stated above was a great relief to Devas. They believed that "Hariharan" would be their savior who could put an end to Leela Mahishi whose story was described in Part I. Therefore Lord Siva asked "Sastha" to serve an earthly king for twelve years which was one of the pre-requisites to kill Leela Mahishi. For this purpose Ayyappa was abandoned on the banks of river Pampa.

Rajashekara, the King Pandalam was hunting in the forest of Pumpa during that time. While he was resting at night, heard the cry of a little boy nearby. The king and the Queen were worshipping the Lord for sometime for a baby. The king immediately ran to the banks of river Pampa where he found the new-born baby with a golden bell around his neck. The King believed that the child was sent by the Lord. He took the baby to his palace. The queen was jubilant and welcomed the unexpected gift from the Lord. Since the baby was wearing a golden bell around his neck they decided to call him "Manikandan".

The divine boy was brought up in a fine manner. He was provided with complete line of physical and mental education. In a short period of time the boy master minded all lessons. The teacher was extremely happy at the achievements of his disciple and at the same time realized the boy’s divine power. At the time of accepting "Guru Dhakshina" (fees) the Guru refused to accept any material benefits. He requested Manikanda to bless his son who was both blind and deaf. The dutiful disciple with his miraculous touch restored the boy’s sight and speech. Thereon, many more of such feats followed.

Subsequent to the arrival of Manikanda, the queen was blessed with an additional child. Both boys grew up as loving brothers. The time has come to pass on the throne from the King to the next generation. The King decided to pass the throne to the elder son. However, the queen was slightly inclined to her own biological son. The general of army was also in her side. They decided to stop the King’s decision by tricking him. They approached the royal physician and sacked him with promises. The queen pretended to have severe stomach ache. The physician approached the King and convinced him the seriousness of the queen’s condition and prescribed leopard’s milk as the only remedy.

The King stood aghast at the incomprehensible remedy prescribed. "How could a leopards be approached for milk". He asked. "And who would undertake such a dangerous mission?" Upon hearing this Manikandan appeared in front of the King and agreed to take the mission to save his mother. But the King did not agree at first to hear such a thing from his beloved son. However, after a series of talk Manikandan could convince his father and departed for the forest.

The King advised him to take a coconut representing "Trinethra" Lord Siva, his family deity, to protect himself from dangers. Manikandan started his adventurous journey with a coconut and ingredients for preparing food on his way to the forest. The "Rishees" envisioned his arrival and summoned for inviting him to their land. They seated him in a golden place believed to be 16 kilometers from Pampa called "Ponnambalamedu".

Devas realized that the arrival time of Ayyappa to the forest for achieving the aim of his "Avathara". Having been blessed by Devas, Manikandan began his tough fight with Leela Mahishi. After a long tough fight, Mankanda killed Leela Mahishi near the river called Azhutha.

Lord Siva descended to the earth to share the joy with Manikanda. They dumped the body of Mahishi ina place called "Kallidaam kunnu". The Lord upon his arrival tied his ox in a place called "kaala ketti". Manikanda danced ver the body of Mahishi with joy. Leela emerged, redeemed from her curse. She wanted to marry the brave Manikanda. The Lord declined her request since he was a pure bachelor. However, he permitted Leela Mahishi to be seated near him as his "Sakthi". Her location is now called by the name "Maalikapuram". It is believed that she is still waiting there with the hope that Lord Ayyappa may once change his mind and marry her. In order to prevent any such temptation from lord Ayyappa’s end, even now adult women is not allowed to visit the Sabari temple. However, we haven’t seen yet how the Sabari temple was built.

Lord Ayyappa after fulfilling his duties to Devas, insisted that he should go back to his mother with leopard’s milk as he promised her. Devendhran, the king of Devas turned himself into a leopard. Lord Ayyappa mounted and commanded to proceed to the palace. Upon seeing Manikanda back in the palace the ing overjoyed and the queen contrite. They were convinced that Manikanda was an "Avathara" of God himself. They prayed for mercy and forgiveness. They all requested Manikanda to remain and rule the kingdom as their savior. However, Manikandan insisted that he should return to the place where he belongs.

As a last wish before his depart, the King requested the Lord to make his abode in his kingdom. He should be blessed to build a temple for Him wherever He chose in his territory. Lord Ayyappa agreed and to indicate the exact spot, he shot an arrow and said that the place where the arrow fell would become famous "Sabari Hill". He further explained to the King that the temple that he would build should have an entrance with eighteen steps. These steps represent five "Indriyas’. The eight "Ragas", the three "Gunas", "Vidhya" and "Avidhya". He also pointed out a nearby place where his "Sakthi" should be saved forever. That place is now called "Maalikapram".

It is believed that Lord Ayyappa visit all eighteen "Sastha" temples of Kerala and the temple of Sabari on the day of "Makara Sankranthi" every year. Thousands and thousands of Ayyappa disciples every year abide proper austerities and travel from all around the nation to visit the Sabari Temple irrespective of caste. Lord Ayyappa’a friends ‘Kadutha’ and ‘Vavar Swami’ are also sitting nearby as safe guards to Lord Ayyappa.

BACK