What is the story behind Lord Ayyappa Swamy?

 Lord Ayyappa is the son of Vishnu and Shiva.

Ayyappa = Ayya (Shiva) + Appa( Lord Vishnu ).

• Lord Ayyappa is a very popular Hindu diety, who is mainly worshipped in South India.
• Ayyappa was born out of the union between God Shiva and Mohini, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
• Ayyappa’s birth story :: Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur, and his sister, Mahishi set out to avenge her brother's death.
• Mahishi had a boon from Lord Brahma that only a child born of Lord Vishnu and Shiva could slay her, so She was indestructible.
• To save the world from annihilation, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mohini, and wed Shiva, and thus Lord Ayyappa was born.
• After the birth of Ayyappa, Shiva and Mohini left the child on the banks of the Pampa River. Then, the ruler of the dynasty, King Rajashekhara, the childless monarch adopted Ayyappa.
• After the King adopted Ayyappa, the King couple were blessed with a son named Raja Rajan. Though both the boys grew up as princes, Ayyappa excelled in martial arts and was very Knowledgeable in all Shastras.
• Upon completing his training and studies, it was the time to name the heir to the throne. King Rajashekhara wanted Ayyappa to become king, but the Queen wanted her son to be named the King. So, she created all troubles for Ayyappa.
• Lord Ayyappa tricked by the Queen, goes to the forest for getting milk from a tigress (to save the Queen from a mysterious health issue).

• On his way, he realized the purpose of his incarnation on Earth, and was to kill the demoness Mahishi.
• Lord Ayyappa and Mahishi had a fierce battle, and she died in Ayyappa’s hands, and received moksha.
• Later, King Rajashekhara and Queen realise that Lord Ayyappa is no ordinary child, and request him to accept the throne. But Ayyappa refuses and goes to the heavenly abode.
• King Rajashekhara constructed a temple for Ayyappa at Sabarimalai. The temple was designed by the great Architect of Gods, Vishvakarma.
• The Ayyappa idol was carved by Sage Parasuram, and installed it on the day of Makara Sankranthi.

What are some lesser known facts about Lord Ayyappa?

 There is a wooden house called Puthanveedu in Erumeli, a small town on the way to Sabarimala. According to the Legend, Sree Ayyappan Swamy arrived on the spot in the thick of darkness and saw a lamp burning in a house where an old woman stayed alone. She gave him food and shelter for the night and the next day he had his tryst with Mahishi, an asura whom he killed. As a mark of reverence to the old woman who helped him in his hour of need, he is believed to have presented his sword to her, which remains enshrined in a dedicated Puja room within the house to this day.

[1]

The legendary sacred sword of Sree Ayyappa Swamy, believed to have been used to kill Mahishasura, is still preserved in the centuries-old Puthanveedu.

Erumeli's name itself derives from "eruma-kolli " (buffalo killing place), underscoring the site's deep ties to the Ayyappa cult, which blends historical elements with mythological narratives of divine intervention and devotion.

The centuries old mud-and-wooden structure of Puthanveedu, Erumeli. In July 2011, the building suffered partial damage from a fire that destroyed much of its roof.

The old structure of Puthanveedu is more than 600 years old, preserved by the descendants of the elderly woman who sheltered Sree Ayyappa Swami. The Karanavar (patriarch) of the family is traditionally known as Perisserry Pillai. The Kochambalam Sastha Temple was built by Perisserry Pillai, a Karanavar of this family.

Puthanveedu is a Saiva Vellala family with a long history. This family originally came from Panayadiyarkavu, Tiruchirappalli, where they served as Kanakkapillai (accountants) to the Pandyas. When the Pandya kingdom declined and the royal family migrated to different places, a branch of this family migrated along with a branch of the Pandya royals to Kerala (later the Pandalam royals) and settled in Erumeli. Puthanveedu is situated near the Valiyambalam in Erumeli. A section of the devotees who visit Sabarimala go to the Sannidhanam after visiting Puthanveedu. Although the Devaswom Board had expressed interest in taking over Puthanveedu, the heirs decided to maintain it.

There is another tradition linking Ayyappa Swami and the Puthanveedu family.

[2]

Ayyappan, known as Ayyan, who belonged to the Vellalar kulam, was the army chief of the Pandalam royal family. He lived with his uncle, Perissery Pillai, in Erumeli, Kottayam district, Kerala. This was about ten generations ago.

Ayyan was instrumental in the defeat of Udayanan, who attacked Sabarimala and tried to demolish the ancient Sastha temple in the thick forest of present-day Pathanamthitta district.

Meanwhile, the royal family of the Pandya king had migrated from Tamil Nadu about 800 years ago. The king reconstructed the destroyed Sastha temple at Sabarimala with the help of Ayyan, Vavar, a Muslim youth from Kanjirappally, and Kadutha a Nair youth from Muzhukeer, Chengannur, Alappuzha district. During a clash, Ayyappan was killed. His uncle, Perissery Pillai, constructed the Kochambalam—an old, small Sastha temple—at Erumeli, opposite the Vavar Pally (mosque), which was constructed by Muslims in memory of Vavar Swamy.

After the demise of Ayyappan, it is believed that his soul merged with Lord Sastha, and people came to regard him as an avatar of Lord Sastha. Later, Ayyappan and Sastha became synonymous.

In the age-old Elavarsevampattu, it is clearly mentioned that Ayyan belonged to the Vellalar kulam near Erumeli, Kottayam, Kerala. There still exists a Vellala house called Puthenveedu in Erumeli. In the same compound, there is a 300-year-old thatched mud house—the house of Perissery Pillai, Ayyappan’s uncle and the Vellal chieftain of Erumeli. Even today, one can see the ancient sword believed to have been used by Ayyappan to kill the monstrous eruma-mahisham.

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa…..

Footnotes

[1] Legendary house partially gutted

[2] Sabarimala-The pilgrimage is a symbol of love, equality and devotion