Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Construction of Sabarimala temple & installation of Ayyappa.

Lord Ayyappa agreed to the construction of a temple as requested by His foster father Rajasekhara. Lord Ayyappa shot an arrow which struck the top of a hill hallowed by the presence of the woman saint Sabari. This is the hill now known as Sabarimala. Lord Ayyappa instructed the king to construct a temple with 18 steps at the spot where the arrow struck. He declared that only those who undertook a strict vow of celibacy (Brahmacharya) & abstinence from all kinds of sensual pleasures for a period of 41 days (one Mandalam) & carried the holy Irumudikettu on their heads would be eligible to climb the 18 steps. Also, since Lord Ayyappa is a strict yogi/brahmachari at Sabarimala, women in the age group of 10-50 years/those who have attained puberty are not permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.

It is said that the temple was constructed by Rajasekhara in accordance with Maharshi Agastya's instructions. The deity of Lord Ayyappa was installed by Parasurama - the sixth incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu, on the sacred day of Makara Sankranti, the day the sun transitions into the constellation of Makara, & begins its journey in the northward direction (Uttarayana). A slightly different version also says that there already existed a temple dedicated to Lord Dharmasastha (of whom Lord Ayyappa was an incarnation) & Lord Ayyappa merged into the deity there. This version says that Rajasekhara made renovations to the temple. However, the former version is more widely known & accepted. Whatever legends might say, the truth is that Lord Ayyappa is forever present at Sabarimala as a guiding light & refuge for all living beings.

May Sabarigirinatha bless one and all

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa