Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Kallampalli Markandeya Dharma Sastha Temple.

The Kallampalli Markandeya Dharma Sastha temple is located at Vazhapally in Thiruvananthapuram city. It is an ancient temple (believed to be older than the Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swami temple) which was renovated in 2010.

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Dharma Sastha holding a Shiva Linga in His right hand. The sanctum sanctorum houses both Sri Dharma Sastha & Lord Shiva in the form of a linga protected by a 5-hooded snake. The belief is that Sri Dharma Sastha worships Lord Shiva here. Since Lord Shiva rescued Markandeya from the clutches of Lord Yama, the God of death & since Sastha & Shiva are enshrined together, the temple is called the 'Markandeya Dharma Sastha temple'. A local legend says that the deity of Sri Padmanabha Swami could not be installed firmly & an astrological investigation revealed that the presence of Lord Shiva & Sri Dharma Sastha nearby was very strong. A Sastha Preethi (a pooja performed to please Sri Dharma Sastha - 'Preethi' means 'to please or satisfy') was conducted for 41 days & only then could the deity of Padmanabha Swami be installed firmly.

Sanishwara Homam is conducted here to get rid of the ill effects of Saturn's presence in one's horoscope. Sri Dharma Sastha is the controller of Sani & those who sincerely worship Sri Dharma Sastha need not worry about the ill effects of Saturn. After the Homam, a 'Sasthru Yantram' is presented to the devotee. Regularly worshipping this yantra at home helps reduce Sani Dosha.

Ashtothara-Shatha Ashtabhishekam is another important ritual conducted here as a special birthday offering to Lord Dharma Sastha. In this ritual 108 kalashas or pots symbolising the 9 planets in 12 zodiac signs or rashis (9*12 = 108) & 4 padas each of the 27 stars (4*27 = 108). Each abhisheka has its own significance:

1) Milk - Health, long life & good children.

2) Tender coconut water - destruction of enemies,excellence in education.

3) Ghee - Wealth,prosperity & protection of one's home.

4) Honey - success in business & good employment.

5) Panchamrutam (traditionally a mixture of milk,yoghurt,honey,sugar,ghee. Includes banana & coconut in some regional variations) - wealth,health.

6) Kalabham (sandal) - speedy & happy marriages, curing diseases & clearing debts.

7) Rose Water - victory, happy married life.

8) Bhasma/Sacred ash - Liberation & mental peace.

May Sarvabhishtadayaka - the one who fulfils all our wishes, bless one and all

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa