As advised
by the Lord, the Raja of Pandalam constructed the Ayyappa temple
at Sabarimala. It is also believed that there already existed
the DharmaSastha temple at Sabarimala, one of the 64 temples
established by Parasurama, and Lord Ayyappa merged into the
deity there. The King (Raja) of Pandalam renovated/
reconstructed the temple, supervising the work by staying at
Perunadu. He constructed an Ayyappa temple there also for
performing his daily pooja of the Lord. Deities of
Malikappurathamma, Kadutha swami and Vaver swami were installed
as also the 'pathinettampadi' (holy 18 steps) and 'bhasmakulam'.
The legend
behind Malikappurathamma is that Leela, daughter of Galavamuni,
under curse of her husband Dathan, was reborn as Mahishi, an "asura'
female with a buffalo's face. Upon having killed by Lord Ayyappa,
the curse was revoked and the beautiful woman rose out of the
corpse. She thanked the Lord and prayed to be with Him as His
wife. |
However, the
Lord told her that He is a 'brahmachari' and so her desire would not
be fulfilled. However, He allowed her to remain in Sabarimala, a
little distant from His abode, as His sister - Malikappurathamma.
The Vaver temple at Erumeli, the beginning of the forest route was
also constructed. Various rituals were fixed, believed to be on the
advice of Agasthyamuni. Legend also says that Parasurama himself
came down to install the Ayyappa deity. The 'vrutham' and other
practices to be followed before and during the Sabarimala pilgrimage
were also prescribed as dictated by the Lord. Arrangements for
monthly poojas were made.
Once in a year,
during Makaravilakku, the Raja visits
Sabarimala along with the holy ornaments (Thiruvabharanam) from the
Palace, which are, adorned on the Ayyappa deity and 'deeparadhana'
conducted. It is at this time that the 'jyothi' appears on the
eastern horizon. During Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, by custom,
nobody starts on pilgrimage after the Raja of Pandalam sets out for
Sannidhanam on 28th Dhanu, along with the Thiruvabharanam. In
addition, pilgrims are restrained from going to Malikappuram after
the 'guruthi' there on 6th Makaram.
The period of Ayyappa is considered to be somewhere between 300-400
M.E. (1125-1225 A.D). Since Pandalam was assumed by Travancore in
1820 A.D, the administration of all the temples within the kingdom,
including Sabarimala was done by Travancore govt., which was
subsequently handed over to the Travancore Devaswom Board after
Independence. As per the Travancore State Manual " the understanding
arrived at when the particular temples were founded and endowed are
followed". Thus the Raja of Pandalam even now continues to function
in the dual status of the father of the Lord and the founder of the
temple.
The important pilgrimage season in Sabarimala is from 1st Vrischikom
to 6th Makaram M.E. (mid-November to
mid-January). Devotees irrespective of religion, cast, creed,
nationality or social status are equals in His abode and are all
addressed by His own name, namely 'Ayyappa'. In fact, the pilgrimage
includes worship at Vaver temples at Erumeli and Sannidhanam,
managed by Muslims. This stands as a glittering example of
Hindu-Muslim unity. However, women in the age group 10-50 shall not
go to Sabarimala. Other women devotees are permitted to trek the
hill and are called as 'Malikappurams'.
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