Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Some more important sites on the Sabarimala yatra route - Azhutha, Kallidamkunnu, Sharamkuthi, Nilakkal Mahadeva temple

Azhutha, a tributary of the river Pampa flows about 2 kms away from Kaala Ketti (which in turn is located around 10 kms from Peroor Thodu, a small stream flowing a little distance away from Erumeli). On the far side of the Azhutha river is the steep Azhutha hill. Pilgrims take a customary dip in the Azhutha river & pick a pebble from the river bed when they do so. At the summit of the Azhutha hill is Kallidamkunnu where pilgrims throw the pebbles they have picked up from the Azhutha river. This is done as the mortal remains of Mahishi are believed to have been cast off here & covered with stones. Kallu means 'stone' in Malayalam & 'kunnu' means hill top.

Nilakkal Mahadeva temple is located around 15 kms east of Pampa & is the oldest temple in that area. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa prayed to Lord Shiva here & sought His blessings before setting out to kill Mahishi. Lord Shiva here is believed to reside here in 2 forms - the fierce one who destroys evil spirits & the benevolent one who confers boons on His devotees.

Sharamkuthi (literallly meaning the place where arrows are struck, Shara meaning 'arrow' in Malayalam/Sanskrit, & Kutthi meaning 'to strike') is close to Sabari Peetham. Kanni Ayyappa Swamis or first time pilgrims leave the small wooden arrows picked up from Erumeli here. This is believed to be the place where Lord Ayyappa & His followers left behind their weapons after defeating an army of foreign invaders. There is an interesting legend which relates to Malikapurathamma. As we know, she requested to be taken as Lord Ayyappa's wife when she was released from the body of Mahishi. Since Ayyappa is a brahmachari He politely declined. But it is also believed that He said -'I will marry you the year no new pilgrim or Kanni Ayyappa Swami comes to worship me at Sabarimala'. So it is believed that Malikapurathamma comes to Sharam Kuthi every year in the hope of not seeing any new arrows(which indicate that Kanni Swamis have passed by), but since that never happens, she returns to her shrine.

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa