Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is built on a plateau which is about 40 feet high. This ancient temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum with a copper-plated roof and four golden finials at the top, two mandapams, the belikalpura that houses the altar and the flag-staff. The idol of Lord Ayyappan is made in panchaloha - also called Panchaloham which literally means "five metals". The shrine of Lord Ganesh, known as Kannimula Ganapati, is to the south-west of the main temple.
Next is the shrine of Malikappurathamma (Malika Purathamma is also known as Manjamatha) which is about 100 meters away. The holy tank called Bhasma Kulam (Bhasmakkulam) is on the way to this shrine. Numerous devotees take a holy bath here. The temple of Malikappurathamma is situated on a small hillock and houses the shrines of the Devi and Kaduthaswamy. The shrines of the snake god and goddess, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, are to the left of this temple. An interesting feature is that the tribes beat on drums, play stringed instruments and sing Sarpa pattu to protect devotees from the harmful effects of snakebites.
The two shrines of Kaduthaswamy and Karuppaswamy, who stand like dwarapalakas or guardians of the holy steps, are seen at the foot of the Patinettampadi. Another important aspect is that near the 18 Holy Steps is the shrine of the Muslim Vavurswami. It is believed that he was a warrior who was defeated and controlled by Ayyappan. Later he became a close friend such that the Lord himself instructed the Pandalam king to build a mosque for Vavur at Erumeli and a shrine at Sabarimalai.
The Vavur deity is believed to be an ancient one and the poojas are conducted by a Muslim priest. Though there is no idol, people worship a carved stone slab which is represented as the deity. There is a green silken cloth which is hung across one wall and an old sword. Green pepper is the special offering here. Some devotees also bring a goat to offer to Vavurswami, in a belief that they would reach the temple safely. It is said that the design of the Lord Ayyappa temple is originated from the instructions of the Lord himself.
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Sabarimala Ayyappa Sannidhanam
Story of Ayyappa's Birth
Story of Sannidhanam
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