Lord of Sabarimala - The Eternal Celibate
Lord Ayyappan is a Hindu deity particularly popular in South India. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (in Mohini form), making him unique as the son of two male gods. Ayyappan is depicted as a handsome young man in a yogic posture, wearing a bell around his neck.
He is also known as Manikandan (one with a bell around the neck) and Dharma Shasta. Ayyappan is worshipped as the lord of dharma and is believed to be an incarnation who came to defeat the demoness Mahishi. He took a vow of celibacy (Naishtika Brahmacharya) and is revered as the protector of devotees.
The Sabarimala temple in Kerala is the most famous Ayyappan shrine. The pilgrimage season is from November to January. Devotees must observe a 41-day vratham (austerities) before the journey.
Symbolize 18 qualities to overcome
Sacred bundle carried by pilgrims
Period of austerity and celibacy
ॐ स्वामीये शरणम् अय्यप्पा
ஓம் ஸ்வாமியே சரணம் ஐயப்பா
"Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa" - The most famous Ayyappan chant
हरिहर सुतनं स्वामी सरणम् अय्यप्पा
ஹரிஹர சுதனம் ஸ்வாமி சரணம் ஐயப்பா
"Salutations to the son of Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva)"
சாஸ்தா சரணம், ஐயப்பா சரணம்
"Sasta Sharanam, Ayyappa Sharanam"
Most famous Ayyappan shrine
Where Ayyappan married
Ayyappan as Grihastha
Child form of Ayyappan
Where Ayyappan grew up