Ayyappan or simply Ayyappa (also spelled as Ayappa), also known as Sastavu or Sasta, is a Hindu deity who is believed to be the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu. Ayyappan was a form of Mohini, his only female avatar. He is an incarnation of Dharma Sasta. Therefore, Ayyappa is also known as 'Hariharan Puthiran' or 'Hariharputhra,' which literally means the son of both 'Hari' or Vishnu and 'Haran' or Shiva. He is generally portrayed in a yogic posture. He wears a jewel around his neck, hence he is also known as Manikandan.

Over the years there has been a rapid increase in the number of worshipers of Ayyappan from many different groups, encouraged by vast improvements in transport and communication in southern India. A Holy Song that is sung to wake up Ayyappan in Sabarimala Temple is known as Ayyappa Suprabhatham. Another song which is sung to put Ayyappa to sleep is the famous song Harivarasanam.

The Genesis of Ayappa

The legendary story of origin of Lord Ayyappa is found in the Puranas or ancient scriptures. It is an fascinating story about how, after Goddess Durga killed the demon king Mahishasur, his sister Mahishi set out to avenge her brother. She carried Lord Brahma's boon that only the child born of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva could slay her, which in a way made her indestructible. To save the world from total destruction, Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Mohini, wed Lord Shiva and out of their union and Lord Ayyappa took birth.

Ayyappan Festival

Every year, Ayyappan's annual festival is a time of pilgrimage for devotees from all over India. They flock to the temple to seek the blessings of Ayyappa on the 14h day of January, known as Makar Sankranti or Pongal, when the Lord himself is believed to descend in the form of light.

The most prominent and famous Ayyappan shrine is the one at Sabarimala, in the hills of Pathanamthitta in Kerala. With the number of devotees touching almost 30 million every year, it is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the world. These devotees fast and engage in austerities under the leadership of a teacher for weeks before travelling in groups to the shrine to get a glimpse of Ayyappan. Bus tickets are difficult to secure for several weeks as groups of euphoric men, wearing typical ritual dhotis of various colours, board public transportation during their trip to the shrine.

It is believed that Lord Ayappa has laid down strict religious adherence for his devotees who seek his blessings. Firstly, before visiting the temple devotees should observe a 41-day penance. They should abstain from physical pleasures and family ties and live like a celibate or brahmachari. They should also continuously reflect on the goodness of life. Apart from this the devotees have to bathe in the waters of holy River Pampa, adorn themselves with three-eyed coconut and 'aantha' garland and then move for the steep climb of the 18 stairs to the Sabarimala temple.

Though it is extremely difficult to reach the temple which is approachable only on foot yet captivating devotees from ancient have travelled from far and wide through ages to pay tribute to Ayappan.

The gruelling journey on foot of nearly 4 km through the thick jungles after crossing River Pampa has been an inspiration of spiritual cleansing for devotees who thong the shrine every year motivated by divine magnetism.

About the Temple

Ashtamangala Devaprasnam was conducted at this Temple located in Delhi, in the month of January 2011 through the hands of the great astrological scholar Brahmasri Kaimukku vaidikan Raman Somayajippad.

As per the divine orders received during the pooja, idols of Lord Shree Dharma Sastha, Lord Ganesh and Shani Dev were consecrated in the Main Temple Complex. The mandir was constructed keeping in mind the Vastu-Shastra and Tantra-Vidhi. On 28 April, Balalaya Prathishta for the same was conducted by Thanthrimukhyan Brahmasri Puthumana Sreedharan Namboothiri.

From 1991, Shree Ayyappa Sewa Samithi (Regd.) has proved to be of great importance for the spiritual enhancement of people. It is a renowned socio charitable & religious organization functioning in Mayur Vihar Phase III, Delhi. This temple attracts millions of devotees every year from all over the country and abroad and is one of the most well known mandirs of the city. Another significant aspect of this temple is that all devotees irrespective of cast or religion or wealth are considered equal before Lord Ayyapa.

Shree Ayyappa Sewa Samithi (Regd.) was given permission to construct the temple in Mayur Vihar. The devotees got together for the first time ever in this temple for Ayyappa Pooja and Sastha Preethi 1991 in Pocket A-3 park.

These devotees later formed Shree Ayyppa Sewa Samithi which begun to conduct Ayyppa Pooja and Sastha Preethi every year. Due to the enthusiastic involvement of devotees from nearby areas, Sastha Preethi and Annual Day Celebrations (Ayyappa Puja) conducted by the Samithi every year has become a popular festival of Delhi. Famous artists of Kathakali, Ottanthullal, Chakyarkuthu, popular playback singers and Bhajana Troupes from Kerala perform during these celebrations, which lures a huge crowd every year.

Brahmasree Puthumana Sreedharan Namboothiri born in the Puthumana family to Brahmasree Damodaran Namboothiri and Parvathi Andarjanam is the Tantri of the temple. Brahmasree Puthumana Sreedharan Namboothiri has completed his graduation in Physics (honors).

Like all other men he decided to look for a conventional job. Life seems to have had other plans for him. He felt an inner call which urged him to continue his father's footsteps and uphold the great tradition of his family. He soon gained great prestige as a tantri. He has been assigned as the tantric for several temples spread all over India.