Aashyaama Komalavishaalatanum Vichitra
Vaasovasaanam Arunotpala Daamahastam
Uttungaratnamakutam Kutilaagrakesam
Shaastaaram Ishtavaradam Sharanam Prapadhye
Lord Ayyappan is God. Being born out of Mohini (the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva, he is also known as Bhuthanatha, Dharmasastha, Hariharan, Ayyanar and Manikanta
Open to darshan only during specific seasons in the year, Swami Ayyappa's shrine attracts millions of pilgrims from all over India and is popular in Kerala next only to the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. some Puranas and folk songs of Kerala, he was born out of the union of Vishnu and Shiva. The story is that Shiva was captivated by the charming Mohini in which form Vishnu appeared at the time of the churning of the ocean of milk in order to distract the asuras so that the devas could divide the nectar among themselves. Shiva succumbed to the beauty of Mohini and Sasta is believed to have been born out of the union. Thus He is called Hariharaputra — son of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) — and is regarded as the third son of Shiva, the other two being Ganesha and Muruga or Kartikeya.Ayyappa thus embodies in Himself the qualities of both Shiva and Vishnu. He keeps guard over us, from evil spirits and also endows us with jnana leading to salvation. The purpose of the avatara of Lord Ayyappa was to restore order in the country and to renovate the temple at Sabari Hill
Devotees offer pujas for Lord Ayyappa to get rid of the evils of Shani (shani dosham). They believe that offering 'Til Oil Diya' (Neelanjanam) in Ayyappa Temple on Saturdays enhances the auspicious aspects of 'Shani Dasha' and keeps them away from the 'Doshas' of 'Sade-Sathi'. Devotees avoid non-vegetarian food on Saturdays and pay a visit to the 'Ayyappa Temple' to rededicate their devotion and faith.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayyappan
Sabarimala Sri Dharma Sanstha Temple is the most pious and sacred temple of Kerala.Sabarimala Temple Tour is strenuous and passes through the thick forests of the Sahyadri Mountains. It takes 3 days from the base of the hill to reach the templeA majority of the pilgrims are men who have to observe fast for forty days,The most auspicious day of the Sabarimala Pilgrimage is the Makara Vilakku Day somewhere around January 14th every year. Thousands of pilgrims pay their visit to the Sabarimala Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa.
The temple was built by the foster father of Lord Ayyappa, who was the King of a local kingdom in ancient Kerala called 'Pandalam'. In order to reach the lotus feet of 'Lord Ayyappa', the devotees have to climb 18 steps. 18 steps represent the 18 hills which again represent the 18 Vana Devtas (Hill Gods). It is believed that the first 5 steps represent the five 'Senses'. The next 8 Steps represent the 'Ashta Ragas' (eight musical chords). The next 3 steps represent 'Trigunas' ('Satvika', 'Rajasa', & 'Tamasa'). The last 2 steps represent 'Vidya' (intelligence) and 'Avidya' (ignorance).
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