42 JUNE 2021 SPECIAL FEATURE LORD AYYAPPA AND SABARIMALAI

Compiled by : KIDAMBI RAJ

throne. Both the hapless king and his queen prayed cease- beauty and stood before the demon, who was in hot pursuit INTRODUCTION lessly to Lord Shiva for a child. of the boon-giver. Smitten by Mohini’s charm, the demon Lord Ayyappa is a popular Hindu God, who is wor- fell for her guiles, began acting as she wanted and ulti- shipped all over India, especially in the South and partic- MYTHOLOGY BEHIND LORD mately ended up placing his hand on his own head. And ularly in the state of Kerala. He is also known as Sastha, AYYAPPA true to the boon, he burnt himself to ashes. The relieved Dharmasastha, Hariharan and so on. He is a powerful Shiva himself then felt deeply impressed with the damsel’s There was a demon by the name of Mahishasura who deity, and His blessings are considered effective in reduc- charm, and the spiritual union of the two great Gods hap- undertook severe penance (tapas) and consequently Lord ing the ill effects of planet Saturn. pened for the good of the world. The divine child Ayyappa Brahma was forced to grant his wish, that nobody on earth Lord Ayyappa is usually depicted as a handsome, celi- was born to them, bearing the name Hariharan (Hari is could annihilate him. Emboldened by Brahma’s boon, bate God seated in a yogic posture with legs crossed and Vishnu and Haran is Shiva), with his Nakshatra or birth Mahishasura commenced systematic destruction of peo- tied with a band and wearing a bell around his neck. Cel- star being Uttaram or Uttara Phalguni. This child was ple and pulverized tribes and communities. Terrorized and ebrated as a warrior deity, he is also shown riding a tiger. later found by king Raja Rajashekara Pandiyan of Panda- fearing his wrath, people fled to distant lands. Realizing In other cases, he carries a bow and arrow in his left hand lam and was brought up as the childless king’s own son. that only a superhuman power could exterminate the way- and holds a bow or a sword in his right hand. As there was a bead tied around the neck of the child, the ward Mahishasura, the devas appealed to Goddess Durga, king named the boy Manikantan, the one who has a bead who killed him in a bloody battle. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE in the neck. Legends speak elaborately about the birth and life of Later a son was born to the king himself, but still con- TIME OF AYYAPPA’S ORIGIN Lord Ayyappa. There was once a female demon called Ma- sidering only Manikantan as his elder son, the king started The members of Pandya dynasty ousted by Thirumala hishi, who was the sister of the demon Mahishasura who making arrangements for declaring him the crown prince. Naickar the ruler of the erstwhile Pandya Empire span- was killed by Goddess Durga. Mahishi did severe penance However, the queen had other ideas and wanted her son to ning Madurai, Thirunelveli and Ramanathapuram lived and got from Lord Brahma the extraordinary boon that she ascend the throne after the king. She hatched a conspira- in places like Valliyur, Tenkasi, Shengottah, Achankovil can be killed only by someone who is born to Lords Shi- cy to get rid of Manikantan and pretending to suffer from and Sivagiri. They had also established their supremacy va and Vishnu. As two males together, cannot produce an severe head ache, and she made the physician to prescribe in parts of Travancore, and some of them belonging to offspring, she began taking herself to be indestructible and the milk of tigress as its only cure. While none came for- Chempazhanattu Kovil in Sivagiri were given the right to started committing various atrocities. Somewhere else, ward to undertake this dangerous mission, Manikantan, on rule the country of Pandalam by the King of Travancore, Bhasmasura, another demon managed to obtain a deadly his own accord, ventured into the jungles, perhaps to fulfill some eight hundred years ago. King Rajashekara, the fos- boon from Shiva to the effect that any person on whose the purpose of his advent on earth. ter-father of Lord Ayyappa belonged to this dynasty. head he places his hand, would turn into ashes the next He encountered the female demon Mahishi in the for- A just and precocious sovereign King Rajashekara was moment. But no sooner he got the boon he wanted to test est, fought a fierce battle with her and destroyed her. But held by his subjects in high esteem. Under him, the region its efficacy on the Lord himself. Realizing the implication, it was actually a blessing in disguise for the demon, as, in was witnessing a golden age. But the king had one sor- Shiva rushed to Lord Vishnu and sought his help. The God the process, she assumed her original form of a beautiful row – he was childless and thus had no heir to inherit his of protection assumed the form of Mohini, a bewitching JUNEJULY 20202021 www.monsoonjournal.com 15TH YEAR IN CIRCULATION a parfait media publication MONSOON JOURNAL 433 SPECIALCANADA FEATURE NEWS woman and is now worshipped in the Sabarimala temple of Ayyappa. Supremely pleased with the annihilation of theThomson feared Mahishi, the Devas assumed Rogers the forms of tigers, Launches $100 Million Class Action riding on whom, Manikantan returned to the palace. Real- izing the divinity and greatness of the young lad, the king and the others bowed to him with great respect. againstWith his divine mission completed,Aviva he took hisInsurance abode at Company of Canada Sabarimala Mountain in the Pathanamthitta hill forests, to the Thomsonnorth of Pampa Rogers River, hasin the issued present a Kerala as state. a result The of an outbreak of a con- kingCanada-wide built the temple class as desired action by pro- the lord andtagious advised orby infectious disease (“conta- Sageceeding Agastya claiming, in which, $100 the millionidol of the lord giousas Ayyappa disease coverage”). wasin damages consecrated on by behalf Parashurama, of Cana- on the first dayCanadian of the businesses small and Malayalamdian businesses month Makaram who have (which been falls in thelarge middle have of applied to Aviva for interruption claims and seeks dam- Aviva should immediately review January).denied businessLord Ayyappa interruption can be worshipped incontagious the sanc- disease coverage and ages including punitive damages on their policies to determine whether tum,insurance seated cross-legged by Aviva assumingInsurance a divine yogichave posture. been denied coverage by Aviva, their behalf. they include these significant cov- Company of Canada which takes the position that the “Aviva has allegedly failed to erages that are often referred to as SIGNIFICANCEToronto, ON, July OF 06, AYYAPPA2020 global COVID-19 pandemic does not honour its good faith obligations Restrictive Access, Negative Public- WORSHIP(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thomson qualify as a contagious or infectious to its policyholders with respect to ity or Interruption by Civil Author- RogersA Sabarimala has issued pilgrimage a Canada-wide is steeped in its owndisease traditions under the Policies. business interruption claims result- ity coverages,” say Robert Ben and andclass rituals, action of proceedingwhich Irumudi claiming remains an importantThe part. Representative Plaintiff, ing from the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephen Birman Irumudi$100 million is a cloth in bundledamages of 2 on compartments behalf thatNordik is carried Windows Inc., is a window This has put Canadian companies For further information regarding onof Canadianthe head by businesses the devotees who as the have travel kit manufacturingand usually and installation com- on the brink when they are most this claim, please contact: isbeen in the denied colors business of black, interruption dark blue or saffron.pany The located front in Ontario, which had vulnerable,” said Robert Ben and Robert Ben portioninsurance contains by Aviva the Pooja Insurance articles and Com- the sacredto closeofferings its operations for several Stephen Birman, partners at Thom- ([email protected] topany be made of Canada to the deity, (“Aviva”) like ghee-filled during the coconut, months raw rice, as a result of the COVID-19 son, Rogers. or 416-868-3168) or jaggeryCOVID-19 or cane pandemic. sugar, betel leaves, camphor,pandemic. etc., while Thomson Rogers has been Many Canadian businesses are Stephen Birman the Avivapersonal sold belongings Enterprise of the Insurance devotee are carriedcontacted in the by Canadian businesses unaware that they have contagious ([email protected] rearPolicies compartment. (the “Policies”) to Canadian who have suffered extreme econom- disease coverage and have not sub- or 416-868-3137) businesses,The ghee coconut which can included be considered protec- the mostic importanthardship as a result of Aviva’s mitted claims to Aviva. parttion of for the the Irumudi loss of, known business as Mudrai income Thenga failure, it is an to in -honour their business “Canadian businesses insured by signia. It is a coconut whose outside is cleaned thoroughly, and the inside is emptied by draining out the sweet water through the eye of the coconut. Then the coconut is filled with pure ghee, which is used later for the Abishekam (hy- drationOntario ceremony) ofBuilding the Lord, at the time Tradesof worship. The Affirm Zero Tolerance for Racism in Construction openingTORONTO, of the ghee July coconut 03, 2020 is then (GLOBE sealed. Thediscrimination ghee co- and collective interests of workers which conutNEWSWIRE) represents -- the “There act of isemptying no place oneself ofwe the willworldly work with can only be achieved when workers pleasuresfor racist first activity and then on any filling construction the void with pureemployers life force. to create feel safe at work. Securing workplaces Bathingsite in Ontario,” the Lord with said the Patrick ghee amountsDillon, to merginga safe one’senvironment free from harassment, intimidation, consciousnessBusiness Manager with the of divine.the Provincial for workers.” and discrimination of any worker BuildingPathinettaampadi and Construction in the temple Trades and passing “Ourthrough members based on his or her ancestry, race, itCouncil is an important of Ontario and (PBCTCO). inseparable “Re-part of the buildpilgrimage. an Ontar- ering long distances on foot, especially during the consec- The nextreligion, eight steps or anysymbolize other difference,the eight Ash is- the Thesecent events Pathinettaampadi in Toronto orhave the remindedeighteen divine io stepsfor everyone’s lead utive months of Karthigai and Margazhi (Mid November tagrahas: goal6. Kama of the (love), Council. 7. KrodhaDiversity (anger0, enrich- theus thatdevotees there to isthe more sanctum work sanctorum to do in of the Lord,benefi whicht regardless - Mid January). This special period of the sacred Ayyappa 8. Labha (avarice),es our communities 9. Moha (lust), and respectful10. Madha theyfighting start racismascending and by promoting placing their a more right footof on race, the firstgender, worship concludes with the sighting of Makara Jyothi, a (pride), 11.workplaces Maltsarya are(unhealthy a key ingredient competition), to an step.inclusive Only culture.”those carrying Irumudi on their headsage, after sexual ob- orien-flash of light as stars that appears around sunset time at a 12. Assoyainclusive (jealous) andsociety. 13. Dhumb (boastful). serving“The the Ontario 41-day Building austerities Trades can set foot on tation,these steps, or ability. distant horizon, on the holy Makara Dillon went on to say, “With re- as per tradition. It is believed that only after climbing these Sankaranti day, (generally on the 14th or 15th of Jan- The next three steps stand for the Trigunas or Council has zero tolerance for any An attack on one the three Gunasspect :to 14. the Satva incidents (perspicuity, that took discern place- stepsform andof racism going orbeyond intimidation,” all that they Dillon represent, community one can is uary).an As Ayyappa is a celibate, youngThe Council’s and middle-aged Statement of Princi- on construction sites in Toronto, the detach the self from all worldly bonding and attain a state ment), 15. Rajas (Activity, enjoyment) and 16. said. “These hate crimes do not refl ect attack on all ofmenstruating us,” stated women,Dillon. do not plesundertake on Workplace Sabarimala Equity pil- states that: Provincial Building Trades Council where one can align with the supreme. Thamas (Inactivity, stupor) . the hardworking women and men who “Recent eventsgrimage. both in Canada and The Provincial Building and Con- supports a full investigation and ap- Ayyappa worship, along with the austerities observed, Apart from the popular and extremely crowded Novem- work together to build a better Ontar- the United States have highlighted struction Trades Council of OntarioThe is last propriatetwo steps stand prosecution for: 17. Vidyaof those (knowl involved- is believed to bestow immense benefits on many fronts to ber-January period, there are other important times too, io.” the need for more work to deal with committed to striving for racial equal-edge) and 18.in these Avidya cowardly (ignorance). acts.” the individuals and their entire families. It would fulfill all for undertaking Ayyappa worship at Sabarimala. These in- “The construction industry is systemic racism, especially anti-black ity and worker solidarity. Discrimina- The Provincial Building and Con- the honest desires of the devotees and bestow good health, clude Panguni Uttiram, the day of Uttiram star falling in Why do Ayyappa devotees wear black? working hard to be inclusive and racism. We need to do more and the tory actions, including acts of intimi- struction Trades Council of Ontario prosperity, and success. The lord is also well known for Panguni month (March-April); Chitra Vishu, the first day representative of all Ontarians, and Ontario Building Trades are ready to dation in the construction workplace,Wearing representsblack may mean150,000 sadness trades in workerssome re- his special powers to control the malefic effects of Shani of the Vedic New Year (mid-April); and Tula work with employers and community are completely unacceptable andligions. the However,throughout as far the as province.the Sabarimalai pil- (planetis proud Saturn). of the Hisefforts worship made can to includehelp to minimize or re- Vishu, the first day of the Malayalam month Thula Council has a zero tolerance policygrimage to- is concerned, wearing black signifies movenew Canadians the hardships and caused underrepresent- by the unfavorableorganizations placement (mid-October).to find solutions that wards such acts. The Building Tradessurrendering all worldly pleasures. Not only ofed the communities,” planet, indicated Dillon by tryingsaid. “Our times such asmake Sade our Sati communities better, healthi- fight for, and continue to advancethat, the it also means that all are equal before Lord (sevenworkplace and shoulda half year be free period of racial of Saturn), Saturner and in more8th inclusive.” SOME INTERESTING FACTS Ayyappa. house of birth chart, Saturn affliction, etc. How did Sabarimalai get its name? ABOUT SABARIMALAI TEMPLE What is the significance of 41 days for mak- According to a legend, the name Sabarimalai ing the pilgrimage to Sabarimalai? is derived from Sabari, a tribal devotee of Lord A devotee has to abide by several regulations Rama as mentioned in Ramayana. Sabarimalai and dictates if one has to mount the pathinettu literally means the hill of Sabari. Lord Rama had (eighteen) padigal (steps) and enter the temple come to meet Sabari as predicted by Sabari’s on Sabarimalai. The devotee embarks on a 41- Guru, Rishi Matanga. day vratham after he gains permission from his The Symbolism of the 18 steps in Sabarimalai parents and Guru. The 18 steps have considerable religious sig- Why does Lord Ayyappa sit like that? nificance. Devotees believe that ascending these Lord Ayyappa’e sitting posture is called Yoga steps helps detach them from worldly desires, Aasana, which is different from the posture of People in huge numbers from all over the country and mentally and physically. even outside, keep visiting the Sabarimala temple after ob- other Deities. Yogaasana is meditating pose. The serving various strict austerities with intense devotion for The first five steps are called panchendriyas: lap is not kept free, like other Gods which has the weeks together, as laid down by the Lord himself and wor- they symbolize the five human senses 1. Visual worldly meaning of providing space to the con- ship Ayyappa. Millions undertake the arduous pilgrimage (eye), 2. Auditory (ear), 3. Olfactory (nose), 4. sort. Ayyappa’s posture is more like balancing on with faith, trekking through mountainous forests and cov- Gustatory (tongue) and 5.Tactile (skin). foot rather than on sitting on the hip.