What is the mystery behind Makara Jyothi?
Makara Jyothi is a star which is worshiped by pilgrims in huge numbers at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala on Makara Sankranti on 14 January every year. It is believed that the deity Ayyappan asserts himself as Makara Jyothi to bless his devotees.
What is the birth star of Lord Ayyappa?
“My father’s birth star is Uthram (Lord Ayyappa’s birth star), my granddaughter’s birth star is Uthrram and my younger brother’s birth star is also Uthram…
What is the story of Ayyappa?
According to puranic and oral traditions, Lord Ayyappa was born out of the union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, when the latter was in Mohini form. Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini to have destroyed a deadly demon Bhashmasur and acquire the elixir (amrut) for the gods during the great churning of oceans.
Why ayyappa has 18 steps?
The steps are believed to be special for other reasons too. For one, Ayyappa was a master of 18 weapons — each step is dedicated to each of those weapons, which Ayyappa is believed to have finally surrendered at the “pathinettam padi” or the eighteenth step.
Who made Ayyappa idol?
Pratishta Of Today’s Ayyappa Idol Three identical idols were made. One by Swami Vimochanananda who was a native of Kerala, second by P T Rajan of Tamil Nadu and Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai and the third by my great grandfather C V Srinivasa Iyer (Kalpathy, Palakkad).
What is the importance of the Vavar of Ayyappa?
Vavar is said to be the protector of pilgrims going to visit Lord Ayyappa. Lord Ayyappa, it is said answers prayers of every devotee who undertakes the demanding and life-threatening pilgrimage to his shrine. Given the arduous task that he undertook, Lord Ayyappa shunned all worldly desires including contact with women.
Is Ayyappa a historical figure?
The belief is that Lord Ayyappa is a historical figure. He was born in the royal family of Pandalam, a small kingdom located in Patthanamthitta district of Kerala. Sabarimala Temple is located in the same district. He grew up in the palace of Pandalam.
Why does Lord Ayyappa have a strict religious code?
Lord Ayyappa, however, is believed to have laid down a strict religious code to enable people to receive his blessings. First, the devotees have to observe a 41-day penance before embarking on the temple pilgrimage. They would also have to maintain abstinence from physical pleasures, live a celibate or ‘brahmachari.’
What is the meaning of Swami Ayyappan’s name?
Swami Ayyappan was born of the union of Brahma and Mohini, the female form of Vishnu. Therefore, Ayyappa is also known as ‘Hariharan Puthran’ or ‘Hariharaputra,’ which literally means the son of both ‘Hari’ or Vishnu and ‘Haran’ or Shiva.