7/29/2019 Story of Ayappa

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Pilgrimage: Story Of Ayyappa

Many holy shrines of Hindus are located close to nature, on mountain tops, river banks or sea shores, where

the environment is conducive for reflection and meditation. Of these holy destinations, hilltop shrines have

been difficult to access as often the climb is long and arduous.

It is widely believed that the difficulties encountered on a journey increase the benefits one would derive

from the pilgrimage and in turn enhance the sanctity of the pilgrim centre. Such pilgrimages present a

challenge to pilgrims not only because of the difficult terrain they have to negotiate this in itself

provides an adventure but also on account of the presence of wild animals on the way, which adds an

element of risk and uncertainty to the journey.

The annual trek across the sylvan and wildlife-rich Western Ghats to Sabarimala or Mount Sabari, the

forest abode of Sri Ayyappa in Kerala, is one such pilgrimage. In addition to the hardships to be endured on

the long and demanding trek, devotees observe rigorous austerities including practice of celibacy and

abstain from social functions and pleasures for 41 days prior to the trek.

Open to darshan only during specific seasons in the year, Swami Ayyappa's shrine attracts millions of

pilgrims from all over India and is popular in Kerala next only to the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. First-time pilgrims often return, making the pilgrimage an annual routine for the solace they get from the

experience. The advent of Dharma Sasta, as Ayyappa is called, is an interesting and unique story.

According to some Puranas and folk songs of Kerala, he was born out of the union of Vishnu and Shiva.

The story is that Shiva was captivated by the charming Mohini in which form Vishnu appeared at the timeof the churning of the ocean of milk in order to distract the asuras so that the devas could divide the nectar

among themselves. Shiva succumbed to the beauty of Mohini and Sasta is believed to have been born out

of the union. Thus He is called Hariharaputra son of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) and is

regarded as the third son of Shiva, the other two being Ganesha and Muruga or Kartikeya.

This is how Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi describes it: When the merciful charm of Narayana and the

serene jnana (know-ledge) of Shiva combined, an effulgent light (tejas) was the outcome. Out of this tejas

was born Ayyappa also known as Ayyanar, Sasta or Hariharaputra". The word Ayyappa is derived fromaryan (one worthy of reverence) and appa or appan meaning 'father' in Malayalam.

Ayyappa thus embodies in Himself the qualities of both Shiva and Vishnu. He keeps guard over us, from

evil spirits and also endows us with jnana leading to salvation. The purpose of the avatara of Lord Ayyappa

was to restore order in the country and to renovate the temple at Sabari Hill. Ayyappa fulfilled the mission

in due course and thereafter entered the sanctum sanctorum and disappeared. It is believed that He reunited

with the Supreme.

The Sabarimala shrine is the most important and popular of the Sasta temples in Kerala. It is also the most

significant because the pilgrimage to the shrine symbolises the struggle of the individual soul in its onward

journey to the abode of bliss and beatitude.