Legends
and Mythology
Lord
Ayyappa was born by the union of Lord Shiva with Mohini (incarnation
of Lord Vishnu). Legend has it that the
divine child was found by
the ruler of Pandalam on the banks of the river Pampa. The king and
queen called the child Manikandan and brought him up as their own.
But when the queen had a child of her own, she planned to get Ayyappa
killed. She pretended to be ill and sent Ayyappa in search of tiger’s
milk, which she said, was the only cure for her illness. She expected
him to be killed by the tigers but was surprised to see Ayyappa return
to the palace riding on a tiger, with the other tigers following
him.
Lord
Ayyappa’s divinity was revealed to one
and all after the episode. The King immediately requested Ayyappa
to suggest a
suitable place for building a temple for Him. The Lord aimed an arrow
which fell at a place called Sabari. The King later built a temple
for lord Ayyappa at this place.
Mount Sabari is named after an old woman, mentioned in the Hindu
epic Ramayana, who attained salvation after her meeting with Lord
Rama.
