KANANAVASA AYYAPPA!

Saranam,saranam,Ayyappa!









13tH,December,2009
Sunday
Dear Friends,
The weekend is so hectic with religious functions at Shree Ayyappa Temple,Mangor.Lord Ayyappa is worshipped by millions of devotees all ove the world.
yesterday was the much awaited Ayyappan Vilakku.pravasis hardly get a chance to view this devotional programme.in my childhood when my Achan was going on pilgrimage to Sabarimala,Ayyappan Vilakku was conducted at Achan's house in Andathode!recently we held the same at home in Trichur n I started knowing more about the rituals !many of us never got a chance to experience the divine feelings!
the team reached from Trichur.it was Muzhuvan Vilakku[the whole vilakku].arranging hundred banana plants for the inside stem[vazappindi] was not difficult as the state is blessed with greenery n vegetation!to make five temples[the models] we needed the tender leaves[kuruthola] of coconut trees!someone had a farm n thus that problem was also solved!the huge photo of Lord Ayyappa was decorated n kept in the mandapam.the model of deepasthambham is for Karimala.
the whole day is spent for making these beautiful miniature temples;so neat n wonderful!the middle one is for Lord Ayyappan;the one to the left is for Malikappuram;the one to the right is for Vavar!infront there will be two temples,one for Kadutha n the other one for Kochu Kadutha!
Ayyappan Vilakku started with the song on Kalarippani!from the gate the divine swords n chilambu were brought with respect n devotion!two ladies held the lamp n thalam!pooja was done to Lord Ayyappa!the udukku pattu fills one's mind with amazing devotion!evening was Palakkombu ezhunnellikkal[bringing the branch of pala tree] from the neighbourhood Kali Temple!pooja was done for Devi in that temple and teh divine dancers started the dance!they were garlanded n they had the swords in their hands.so rhythemecally they tok the steps!the small musical instrument udukku was played by twelve singers!they were singing the bjajans praising Lord Shiva n Devi n Lord Ganesha!watching all these,one true devotee really gets thrilled!many bengalis were there at Kali Temple to witness the rituals!it took nearly half an hour and then the procession proceeded towards Shree Ayyappa Temple.girls n ladies were holding thalam welcoming LordAyyapapa!Swamis were holding the huge photo of Lord Ayyappan.three four Swamis were holding the heavy branch of the Pala tree n dancing!all were chanting the sarana mantras loudly!after reaching temple they took one round[pradakshinam] and the photo of Lord Ayyappa was kept in the model of the temple in the ground!the second session was over and the team went to to take rest n have food!the udukku pattu started by 10.45p.m for three hours descrbing the life history of Lord Ayyappa!the devotees sit n listen to the song realising the importance of the birth of Lord Ayyappa!
the fourth phase was the Palkkindi Ezhunnellipu;welcoming Malikappuram from the junction!again the song and the divine dancers dance!it was at 2 a.m.we fill the para with paddy and Malikappuram is installed.if time permits,again kani pattu will be there describing the birth of Vavar!Ayyappa n Vavar are brothers!the role of Vavar is enacted by one team member!in the beginning they fightwhich is known as vettum thadavum!Lord Ayyappa this is the best ritual n traditional practice that spread communal harmony!Vavar is born to Lord Shiva n Pathuma!so,the devotees first visit the mosque of Vavar at Erumeli before having darshan of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala!Thousands of devotees participate every year in the age old Petta Thullal[ceremonial dance] by the Ambalappuzha and Alangad groups at Erumeli,the most important stop over on the way to Sabarimala!
A vsit to Sabarimala fills the minds of teh devotees with contentment,spiritual upliftment,prosperity n fulfillment of devotees' desires n wishes!
The months of Vrischika/Kaarthika/Margazhi/Dhanur[nov15th-Jan]are the most auspicious period for Sabarimala Darshan!Lord Ayyappan had His Avataram on a Saturday in Margazhi Panjami in Uthra Nakshatram![my Amma's star is Uthram].Makar Jyothi appears on this day!
there was a delicious feast at Shree Ayyappa Temple,prepared by Jayan Thirumeni who is the youngest professional cook from Kannur.he is in his early twenties.nearly two thousand devotees participated in Sadya!
Today nearly fifty Swamis are leaving for Sabarimala tonight from here.I dedicate this post to all of them!this time there are three Malikappuram[ladies who go to Sabarimala are called as Malikappuram]!on their way they will be having darshan at Shree Mathur Ganesha Temple,Kasargode,Parasinikkadavu Muthappan,Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple,Thriprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple,Kodungallore Devi Temple,Chottanikkara Devi Temple,Ettumanur Shiva Temple.
After having a bath in the cold water of Pamba river,devotees start walking on bare feet!stepping on the stones,thorns,the joureny is not at all smooth!but the unshakable belief in the Lord stays in the Temple amidst the thick jungle make them cheerful and the walk becomes a pleasure!
after having darshan at Sabarimala,the swamis come back to Guruvayoor Krishna Temple,and the day, till evening is spent at Gurupavanapuri,shopping the things rquired for the forthcoming festival.lunch will be at Guruvayoor.
From Guruvayoor,they proceed to Kadambuzha Devi Temple,Mookambika Devi Temple n Murdeswar Shiva Temple.they break the coconut n remove the Mudramala,after reaching here,at Shree Ayyappa Temple.again all of them n more devotees wait anxiously to be at the holy presence of Sabarimala,next year!
Dear friends,
I have just come back from temple n it's 10.42p.m.I'm so tired n tomorrow is a working day!
If you get a chance to watch Ayyappan Vilakku,please don't miss the golden opportunity!
let's pray for peace n love!
It's Anu signing off...........
Arun Kayamkulam who is writing a religious post on Lord Ayyappan on a daily basis n who has gone on pilgrimage to sabarimala now had requested me to write a post on Ayyappan Vilakku.[http://kaliyugavaradan.blogspot.com]hope this post satisfies my readers!:)
wishing you a wonderful energy packed week ahead,
Sasneham,
Anu