LORD AYYAPPAN HISTORY:

SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA

“OH LORD AYYAPPA” I SEEK REFUGE IN YOU…

Who Is Lord Ayyappa and His Childhood: 

    Lord Ayyappan is a popular Hindu god worshipped mainly in south India. According to theology, he was born out of the union between Lord Shiva and mythical Mohini (Lord Vishnu`s Avathar) so he is called as Harihara Putran. In this blog we are going to see Lord Ayyappan Swamy’s History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method.

    King Rajasekhara who was a king of Pandalam is a great devotee of Lord shiva and he along with his wife prayed the god for a child for a long time.

    One day he was returning from the forest after hunting while he was enjoying the beauty of the river pamba he heard the cry of a baby from the dense forest. Even though he was happy to see the child he hesitated to take the child to the palace, but a sage appeared before him and informed the king that the child is a gift from lord shiva and you can take him with you. 

    As the child was wearing a jewel around his neck he was named “Manikanda”, “mani” meaning bell, and “Kanda”.The queen was also happy to see the child and accepted him as a divine gift, he grew up in the palace of Pandalam.

Core Story of Lord Ayyappan:

Life And Legends: 

•    The was mastered in all vedas and arts quickly. He grew up as a charming, graceful, and courageous warrior. The guru of ayyappa soon recognized his divine power and asked to bless his blind and deaf son with sight and speech as ayyappa came to offer “Gurudhakshina”.
•    After few years the king and queen was blessed with a baby boy and named him as Raaja Rajan. The king planned to crown Ayyappa as next king but the prime minister of the palace was disappointed to hear that, because he thought he would be able to rule the country after the death of the king.
•     He began to think in many ways to deny ayyappa to being the next king and he met queen to evoke pessimistic feelings in her mind against ayyappa being the next king, When she has her own child who has the birth right to be the next king.
•     The minister convinced the queen and she agreed to create plan with him against ayyappa to make her own son Raaja Rajan become the next king. We are seeing Lord Ayyappan Swamy History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method
  

Manikandan Went To Forest: 

•   As the plan of the minister, the queen began to act as she was suffering from headaches and stomach pain, the king was so much scared and worried and he called for best and experienced physicians, but none of them was not able to cure her.
•    The minister brought a fake physician and he said the king that the queen can be saved only if she drink the milk of a lactating tigress. The king offered his country to the person who will brings the tigress milk, but unfortunately no one come forward, then at last ayyapan came but the king did not give him permission to go. But manikanda convinced his father and go to the forest.
•    He carried a bag on his head containing necessary foods for him. The panchabuthas of lord shiva was following manikandan while he was going to the forest. But on the way to the forest he saw the atrocities of demoness mahishi.

Ayyappa (or) Manikanda Realising the Purpose Of His Life: 

•     On his to the forest, he understood the purpose of his incarnation on earth. As mahishi had a boon that she can only be killed by the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Mahishi was angrily waiting to destroy the devas and their place.
•    Manikandan was his way to the forest, had a fight with mahishi, Lord shiva who is atching all this came down to earth with Devi parvathi on his Rishaba Vahana Ox.He tied his vahana(ox) on a tree in the forest and watched manikandan fighting with mahishi.
•    The place where Lord shiva tied his vahana is now called as kaalaikatti. It is on the bank of River Azhudha on the way to Sabarimalai, now there is a shivan temple at kaalaikatti.

Manikandan Defeated Demoness Mahishi:

•     Manikandan defeated mahishi and threw her on the ground, doubting that she was not died, manikandan threw big stones on her to confirm that she will not come again.
•    That place is called as Kallidum Kunru in the Azhudha Hill, even now pilgrims took a stone from the Azhudha river and throw it in that placing considering as Mahishi`s defeat.

Manikandan Blessed Mahishi: 

    After defeating mahishi, manikandan blessed mahishi to reach heaven and she got relieved from her past curse by dying from the hands of god himself and she prayed manikandan to marry her, but the god refused saying that his birth on earth had different purpose and he has to live as Brahmachari.

    But mahishi insisted, so the god told her that she can abode in the same the forest which he is meant for him and assured her that whenever the new devotee will stop coming to see him at that time he will marry her.

Maligapurathamman: 

•     After that mahishi took abode near the Sannidhanam with the name of Maligapurathamman.Till today she is eargerly waiting to marry Ayyappan whenever there is no new devotees will visit Ayyappan. But every year there is thousands of new devotees(kanni samis) is visiting ayyappan. 
•    When the new devotees visit the temple they bring a sharp bamboo stick called Saram and fix it on a tree at a place called `Saram Kuthi`.It is believed that when there is no saram Lord Ayyappan would marry her.
  

Lord Ayyappa Return from Forest: 

•     On Ayyappan killing Mahishi Lord Shiva and all devas were very much happy and praises Ayyappan.Lord Indra along with all other devas, was voluntarily become tiger and tigresses,accompanied Ayyappan to back to the palace.
•     Ayyappan entered the pandalam palace sitting on a tiger with a huge group of tigresses,seeing this everyone in the palace was shocked and running for life.
•     A sage told in the forest that manikandan`s purpose of birth would be known at his age of 12, now he reached the age of 12 and then the king Rajasekhara realized that manikandan was not an ordinary child.
•     The queen and the diwan realized their mistake and fell at manikandan`s feet for their pardon. But manikandan told them that everything happened for a reason, was not their mistake.
•     Then king Rajasekhara requested him take up the throne which was his dream of life, but manikandan politely refused and said, taking up the throne and becoming a king was not the purpose of his life, his duty on earth is over and need to do penance to reach kailash.

Lord Ayyappan Swamy History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method:

Rajasekara Construct a Temple for Manikandan:

    King Rajasekara wished to construct a temple for Manikandan in a place where he chooses.

    Manikandan shoot a arrow with his bow, saying that he would be on Thapas where the arrows falls.The place where the arrow fell is called Sabarimala. Which is already a holy place, there an old woman called sabari who is great devotee of Lord Rama lived.  

   She was always chanting about Rama and wanted to meet him atleast once in her life and Rama met her in that place and accepted her hospitality.

Ayyappa Temple Sabarimalai: 

     Manikandan told he would be meditating in sabarimala and will called as Ayyappan by his devotees. He also told that whoever visits him had to undergo a severe Bhrahmacharya Vratham and must be away from all the pleasures for 41 days before coming to Sabarimala. 

     King Rajasekara felt very sad to see Ayyappan as a sanyasi with saffron clothes whom he wants to see as King.

    Ayyappan assured to Rajasekar that every year on Makara Shankranthi he will give Darshan to the world as a  king with all costumes and weapons, he also said that he will appear in the form of jyothi on that day, which takes place till today on every Shankranthi

Lord Ayyappan and Sabarimalai Temple :

•     Manikandan started to Sabarimala on his celestial journey. The advice of Sage Agasthiyar to the king Rajasekara, he laid the foundation of constructing the Shrine of Ayyappan in the said place. 
•     But the king Rajasekara did not known how to personify the picture of Ayyappan in the temple, Sage Parasurama helped him and carved the image of Lord Ayyappan and installed it on the day of Makara Shrankranthi.
•    The day of makara Shankranthi, the jewels, clothing and weapons where brought from the Pandalam palace to Sabarimala to be adorned by the Lord.
•    The Thiruvabaranam (jewel box) is carried by the person belonging to the pandalam King`s family.
•    The Thiruvaabaranam was kept at a Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple at Aranmula as a ritual, A Garuda accompanies Thiruvaabaaranam from Pandalam to Sabarimala. Lord ayyappan is seen sitting on his “peethom” with his right hand showering blessings to his devotees.
•    Only the day of Shankranthi where everyone will get the Darshan of God dressed up like a King. On the day of Marakara Shankranthi, a star appears on the sky at a particular time in the evening, after that Marakara Jyothi will appear at the hill called Ponnambala Medu.
•    Till today many devotees witness this special occasion every year while chanting “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.” Lord Ayyappan Swamy’s History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method is a very important things to know.

How to Worship Lord Ayyappa:

•     There is also a shrine for Sri Vavar near the sannidhanam named as Vavar Nada. Vavar first had a fight with Ayyappan while on his way to Sabarimala.
•    Later he came to know about the power of lord Ayyappan power he surrendered to him.
•    Then Ayyappan accepted him as a best friend who helped Ayyappan throughout his journey Sabarimala.
•     After that Ayyappan bless his friend Vavar to abode with him Sabarimala.
•     Till today people who start their trek from Erumel visit the Vavar mosque first which is situated opposite the Dharma Sastha temple to seek blessing and guidance throughout their  hilly forest journey.
•    There are also many other temples situated in Sabarimala, which are named Sri Ganapathy, Naagar, Maaligapurathamman, Nava Graham, Kochu Kadutha Swamy and Valiya Kadutha Swamy.
• Sabarimala temple is the world`s second-largest annual pilgrimage next to Haj.

Mandala Kaalam:

Manadakalam is one main part of the Lord Ayyappan Swamy History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method.

•     Malayalam month of Vrischikam in mid-November. The devotees must have their entire concentration on Lord Ayyappan, They begin their fast on the first day of the Tamil Month Karthigai that is November 15.
•     Devotees who visit the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple should compulsorily wear the Ayyappa Mala. This Mala is worn after beginning the Vratam to visit the Sabarimala Shrine.
•     Usually, the Ayyappa Mala is worn in a local Ayyappa temple or any other temple near the house. during the days of Mandala Pooja is approximately from November 15 to December 26 Makara Shankranti at January 14 and Maha Thirumal Shankranti is April 14. The temple is also open during the first five of days of all Malayalam months.

Significance of Worshipping Ayyapa and Worshipping Method:

   There is no need to look for an auspicious day or week to begin the fast. The Devotees can start their Sabarimala Pilgrimage after fasting for at least 41 days.

   The believers must wear Tulasimani or Rudhraksha that has 108 or 54 beads in them along with an Ayyappan Portrait and it must be worn in front of the Guru who had gone to Sabarimala several times.

Sabarimalai Temple and Prasadam: 

•      The prasadam at Sabarimala temple is Aravana payasam and Appam. These are prepared by using rice, ghee, sugar, jaggery, etc. The rice needed to prepare the prasadam at Sabarimala temple is supplied by Chettikulangara Devi Temple, the second largest temple under the Travancore Devaswom Board situated at Mavelikkara. 
•    The Chief Commissioner, the Travancore Devaswom Board said that the board has appointed Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore as a consultant for providing technical guidance to ensure the quality of Aravana, Appam, and other prasadam preparations at Sabarimala temple.

Ayyappan 108 Sarana Gosham:

Ayyappan Song:

Above we look at Lord Ayyappan Swamy’s History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method now we are going to see Ayyappan Saranam.

•    Harivarasanam is recited before closing the temple door every night. The Harivarasanam prayer, which is sung at Sabarimala is a Urakkupattu. It is composed by Kambangudi Kulathur Srinivasa Iyer in Sanskrit. 
•    It is said that Srinivasa Iyer used to recite the composition after the Athazha Puja, standing in front of the shrine of Ayyappa in the main temple. 
•    With the efforts of Swami Vimochanananda, it came to be accepted as a lullaby by the Tantri and Melshanthi. The composition has 352 letters, 108 words in 32 lines in 8 stanzas. 

• Lord Ayyappan Swamy History, Sabarimalai Temple, And Worshipping Method are most auspicious to know.

Brass Lord Shiva Statues:

 

“Lord Shiva Is Eternal Love”

Shiva is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate. The triumvirate consists of three gods who are responsible for the creation, upkeep and destruction of the world. Brass Lord Shiva statues are mostly famous in Hindu deities. These beautiful lord shiva statues are hand-crafted with the pure brass and unique collectible designs. There is a variety of brass Shiva sculptures that are differentiated in sizes, colors, styles, and price ranges. 

Brass Shiva Lingam Idol:

“He is all and Everything

He is the Universe”

Lingam is a symbol of Shiva. Brass Shiva lingam statues are designed in brass using a sand casting technique and have a golden color, finished with antique finish. We can place this lingam in your pooja room, temple, working place for a good vibrations. It is a decorative showpiece and pooja idols for home.

Brass Shiva Lingam Benefits:

Keeping Shiva Lingam at home helps harness harmonious vibrations. Shiva lingam increases prosperity, good health, fortune and provides relief from all the negativity. It blesses the devotees with unity and harmony in the family.

Shiva Parvati Brass Idols: 

Shiva family Statue, Shiva Standing Statue, Lord Shiva Murti, Shiva on Horse, Brass Shiva Lingam, Brass Adiyogi Statues, Brass Shiva Parivar Statues Antique, Brass Shiva and Parvathi on Nandi, Brass Shiva and Parvati on Bull Statue, Brass Shiva shakti Statue, Brass Nandhi idols with Shiva Lingam Idols, all brass Shiva statues online India that is now on Vgocart.

Brass Shiva Statues Online India:

Buy best Shiva Statues at an affordable price in India online. With the charming shiva statues you can spread positivity and a heavenly divine feeling in your home. You can buy collectible Shiva statues at Vgovart online.

Brass Shiva statues online India at Vgocart, Kalappatti road, Coimbatore.

Famous Hanuman Temples in Tamilnadu

Lord Hanuman is considered as the loyal Devotee of Lord Rama and has got a significant role in hindu epics, puranas and literatures with his strong characteristics that adds power to the plot. Mostly being mentioned in the epic Ramayana and Mahabharata, Lord Hanuman is the game changer of the whole epic.

On the other hand Lord Hanuman is believed to be the avatar of Lord Shiva. He was born as the son of Lord Vayu kesari and ma anjana, hence he is known by the name anjani putra and vayu putra. He is considered immortal. He is the Hindu God known for love, compassion, devotion, loyalty, intelligence, strength, courage , perseverance. He is one of the most important deities worshipped in Hinduism.

Benefits of worshiping lord Hanuman:

Worshiping Lord Hanuman wholeheartedly provides us with immeasurable boons and blessings.

• Boost the confidence level of an individual.
• Succeed in examinations beneficial results.
• Overcome health issues and provide longevity in life.
• Reduce the ill effects of Shani dasha as per astrology.
• Overcome bad habits, confidence and a stable mind.
• Stay disciplined and achieve great heights in both life and career as a whole.
• Mental and psychological problems can be cured by providing peace of mind.
• Solution for debt problems.
• Marriage problems and issues can be solved by worshipping him wholeheartedly.

Famous Hanuman temples in Coimbatore Region:

1.Ashtamsa Sri Varada Hanuman Temple:

This is about 500 years old temple located in Coimbatore Peelamedu area. The idol of this Anjaneyar is made up of salagrama stone which makes it stand unique for about 8 feet tall.
This Hanuman Deity ensures devotees safety and welfare with his right hand abhaya mudra Club holding on left hand destroys pride, arrogance, anger, jealousy, greed, enemies, ects.
He has got an unusual gomukhi structure with shiva lingam and the deity facing west direction ensures health and cures every disease.(as it symbolizes facing sanjeevi herbal hills).
His legs facing south, the direction of Yama(god of death),provides us with the longevity of life.
Goddess Lakshmi blesses us from his right palm.
His tail faces north the direction which is ruled by Kubera known for wealth as it can be viewed fully.
Offerings:
During Tamil New Year 10,008 fruits offerings were made.
During Puratasi Month vada garland, chenduram, swarnamayam,muthangi sevai is offered on saturdays.
Best days to visit:
Saturdays
Puratasi Month, Vaikunta ekadasi.
Hanuman Jayanthi, Rama navami.
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday
Morning: 7.30 am to 12.00 pm
Evening: 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Location:
Sri Ashtamsa Varadha Anjaneyar temple

2. Sri Anuvavi Anjaneya temple:

 

 

This is a historical place where the term Hanu means anjaneya and vavi means a water resource. Hence the temple got its name from the legend where a water resource which was created for lord hanuman. The hills present here are also known as hanumakumaran malai. Even though the main deity of this place is lord Murugan, It is mainly famous for the presence of Lord Hanuman. A nandhavanam is also located in this place known as Sri Anuvavi anjaneyar nandhavanam located in the area of Periya Thadagam. The 48 feet tall Hanuman Statue is the main speciality of this place.
Temple History:
While passing through this temple carrying the sanjeevini hills, Lord Hanuman felt very thirsty and prayed to Lord Muruga here to provide water. As a result Lord Murugan pierced the mountain with his divine sphere that created a water source which sprang up and flowed as a river. And we can see the fountain made is still present here which is now collected and offered as prasadam to the devotees who come here. It is also known as kanasunai.
Offerings:
Unmarried facing struggles in marriage provides mangal sutra and vasthra as offerings to ensure the boon of marriage
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday
Morning: 6.00 am to 11.00 am
Evening: 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Location:
Sri Anuvavi Anjaneyar Nandhavanam

3. Arulmigu Jayamangala Anjaneyar Temple:

This historical Temple is about 700 to 1000 years old which is situated at Idugampalayam village, that is 5 kilometer from Sirumugai of coimbatore district. It is also known as Sri Anumandharaya swamy temple.
This temple has got the speciality of all the three contents namely murthi, thalam, theertham.The statue of the deity is 6 and half feet tall carved on 8 feet rock. Unlike other temples this hanuman deity has got yadur mukhi pose which gives the full view of the Lord’s entire face. His right hand contains a sudarshana chakra and the left hand holds sowgandhika flower along with a bell in his tail.It is made
Offerings:
Rice is offered to this temple and one who worships him can get rid of navagraha doshas and provide the boon of child progeny.
Temple History:
It was believed that the temple was built during the Vijayanagar empire and worshiped prior palayakars, nayakars and mysore maharajas with some historical evidence. The inscriptions got from this temple denotes kali 4404 and believed to be originated during 13th century as the other shrines in the temple has got fish symbol(pandya dynasty) in its carvings
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Saturday- 5.00 am to 9.00 pm
On Sunday- 5.00 am to 12.00 pm
Location:
Arulmigu Anumantharaaya Swamy Jaya Mangala Anjaneyar Temple

4. Shri Panchamuga Hanuman Temple:

This peculiar temple is located in Navavoor pirivu, maruthamalai road, coimbatore, which is believed to be constructed in the 21st century. This has got a unique construction style. The Deity is made of black stone shirpa statue of 11 feet in standing position majestically along with panchamukha face such as; Sri vargar, sri narasimhar, sri hayagreevar, sri garudar and sri hanuman. This temple also have the separate shrines for rpathyangara devi,navagrahas with their consorts and lord subramanya.This temple maintains a separate cosala for cows in which the visitors can offer agathi keerai to this holy cows in order to reduce their past sins and karma.
Best days to visit:
Full moon and New Moon Days
Ashtami poojas
Saturdays
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday: 5.00 am to 9.00 pm
Location:
Shri Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple

5. Paaltrangarai Anjaneyar Temple:

This temple is situated in the foothills of govinda and thadakachi hills famous for sage vishwamitra. Shanmugapuram is believed to be the place where lord Hanuman placed his foot prints, hence a 9 to 10 feet tall statue was made for him from the rocks of Palar river.
Temple History:
As per history and legends,It is believed that this was originated where Lord Hanuman sat and rested on this suyambu rock after returning from Sri Lanka where Ma Sita Devi was abducted by Ravana. During the period of Cholas, this swayambhu was discovered and a small temple was built in an honor to the devotion of Lord Hanuman named as Kshetra Sri Veera Anjaneya Swami. This was built with the swayambhu idol of hanuman about 500 to 600 year ago and it is believed to be one among 729 hanuman statues created by saint vyasaraja, the Vijayanagara empire’s raja guru. The idol of hanuman is depicted as facing sri lanka.
Significance:
People worship this hanman to fulfill desires like getting married, child welfare, relief from debts, overcoming fear and overall health.
Best days to visit:
Full moon days of tamil month Aadi and Thai
Saturdays of Puratasi
Vaikunta ekadasi and other festive days.
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday: 5.00 am to 9.00 pm
Location:
Shanmugapuram,aliyar dam road, pollachi.

6.Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple:

The temple was built with tamil architecture style followed by the aghaman called Sri vaikhanasam. The height of this Lord Hanuman idol is 18 feet tall. This temple is located in namakkal district which is a famous and special historical temple.
Temple History:
When Goddess Lakshmi was doing certains penance rituals at this place, she saw Lord Hanuman carrying a saligrama stone made images in his hands and requested to get the view of Lord Vishnu in narasimha form. Hence lord hanuman handovered the saligrama and asked her to holds until he returns back. When lakshmi place it here it outgrew into a huge mountain before hanuman returns. Lord Narasimha appeared before both of them and took an adobe here. Hence the hanuman temple was located with a standing position facing the lord narasimha temple at the foothills.
Best Days to Visit:
Daily 4 rituals
15 days of panguni uthiram festival.
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday
Morning: 6.30 am to 01.30 pm
Evening: 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Location:
Namakkal Sree Anjaneyar Temple

7.Arulmigu Anumandaeswar Temple:

This Hanuman temple is located in Perur area of coimbatore which has got its historical representations.This deity idols is also one among idols made by vyasaraja the rajaguru krishnadevaraya vijayanagara empire and one of the old ancient hanuman temple.
Temple History:
This hanuman temple was built by a king called musukundan about 1000 years ago beside the shore of Noyyal river in perur. The inscriptions of this were still found in the perur temple.This hanuman in the temple has got 8 special features; Right hand bestows welfare, holds lotus flowers in the left hand indicating the aspect of destroying evil enemies,east faced deity to cure all diseases, north facing foot to remove the fear of death and reduce the defects of planets navagrahas,, fierceful face appearance, bright looking powerful eyes and blessings of goddess lakshmi
Offerings:
Garland made of betel leaves, lemons,tulsi leaves and vada.
Best Days to Visit:
Hanuman jayanthi
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday
Morning: 6.00 am to 1.00 pm
Evening: 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Location:
Arulmigu Anumandaeswara Temple

8.Sri Guru Hanuman Temple:

Lord Guru hanuman of this temple is depicted in a sitting position over his tail chair, unlike other common hanuman temple and it is considered as one and only guru hanuman temple in the world. The Hanuman idol is very unique which has got the blessing of Kanchi maha periyava along with Hayagreeva statue and his blessings. Various rituals, homam, poojas and festivals are performed here.
Offerings:
Betel leaves garland, tulsi mala
Best days to visit:
Saturdays
Hanuman jayanthi
Temple Timings:
From Monday to Sunday- 5.00am to 11.am
Location:
Sri Guru Hanuman Temple

9. Sri Kubera Anjaneyar Temple:

 

 

This kubera Anjaneyar temple is located on the main of thudiyalur in coimbatore. This statue of hanuman is depicted in a standing position by carrying the sanjeevi hills in one arm and his weapon gadha in the other hand.
Best days to visit:
Thursday
Saturday
Rama navami
Hanuman jayanthi
Temple timing:
No specific timing as it is an open space hanuman temple visible all the time.
Location:
Sri Kubera Aanjaneyar Temple

10.Sri Anjaneya Temple:

This temple is located in Echanari region, which was built around 500 to 1000 years ago in the period of King Krishnadevaraya vijayanagara empire. This temple is also known as panchamuga hanuman temple and a popular tourist spot. This deity is made up of 18 feet tall statue in a single rock. This is managed by a trust. This hanuman statue is depicted in a form of chanting rama nama.
Best time to visit:
From the month october to february
Hanuman birthday (hanuman jayanti)
Temple Timing:
From Monday to Sunday:5.00 am to 9.00 pm
Location:
Anjaneyar Temple

Sanjeevaraya Hanuman Temple:

The ancestral Hanuman temple which is privately owned is about 270 + years old which is maintained by sanjeevarayar’s generation and members of the family.