Interesting Legends About Ayyappa, The God of Sabarimala
by Read the very interesting folk tales, legends and mythological stories about Ayyappa, the god residing at Sabarimala—a temple-on-hill in the Kerala State of South-Western India.
Read Pilgrimage to Sabarimala and Its Significance
Ayyappa, the presiding deity at Sabarimala, is considered Hariharaputra – the son of two male deities, Hari or Vishnu who assumes the form of an enchantress (’Mohini‘), and Hara or Shiva, whose mission was to destroy the evil demoness Mahishi (buffalo-faced demon). But Ayyappa was also the adopted son of the King of Pandalam in the present day Kerala. Thus these legends have history and mythology entwined, making it a kind of folk tale.
The Story of Mahishasura
Mahishasura was a demon (’asura’ means demon) born to demon Rambha and his buffalo-faced wife. Rambha had obtained a boon for a son who would not be killed by gods or demons. Mahishasura also propitiated Brahma and obtained the boon that only a woman could kill him, gloating in his mind such an event was impossible.
Mahishasura meditaing on Brahma
With this boon in tow, Mahishasura became hungry for power and began expanding his kingdom. He chased away the gods from the heaven. The exiled gods appealed to the female Trinity of Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi. Through their combined power, they created Durga who killed Mahishasura in a fierce battle.
Now, Rambha had a brother called Karamba who had a buffalo-faced (’Mahishi’) daughter called Leela. Infuriated by the death of her cousin Mahisha, Leela Mahishi obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that she could only be killed by the hands of one born of Hari and Hara (Vishnu and Shiva) and who had spent twelve years in the service of a mortal.
Fortressed thus, Leela Mahishi began persecuting the gods and they turn to Siva for a solution. It was clear only an offspring born of the union of Shiva and Vishnu could save them.
To make this possible, Lord Vishnu assumed the alluring form of a damsel called Mohini. There are three occasions when the services of Vishnu as a seductress are required.
Bhasmasura and Mohini
First, the story about Mohini and Bhasmasura, the demon to kill whom Lord Vishnu turns a temptress. I love this tale, as it tells us what happens when immense power comes to people not worthy of it.
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Post CommentNxwtypx
On April 10, 2012 at 9:39 am
Hindu tales are always so interesting and colorful. There’s a lot less preaching than in Western religions.
Ruby Hawk
On April 10, 2012 at 8:27 pm
these are interesting legends Uma. I hope this comment will submit, if so it will be the first one today.
CHIPMUNK
On April 11, 2012 at 4:44 am
Wow!! Such an interesting output you have really went out on this one Uma
erwinkennythomas
On April 11, 2012 at 3:13 pm
remarkable
asok
On April 14, 2012 at 2:22 pm
loved it, however there was one flaw the demons had held the head end of the snake and not the tail end as they thought of it as an insult to hold the end where the remains came out
but thank you
Uma Shankari
On April 14, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Thank you Asok, you are right.
Martin Kloess
On August 4, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Nicely Written, thank you.
PR Mace
On August 5, 2012 at 1:48 am
Loved this tales.
bharathiyar
On August 5, 2012 at 7:29 am
Uma, I read this story. I have a doubt here. You have not included the story of Iyyappa here. What it is relation between Iyyappa and this story?
Uma Shankari
On August 5, 2012 at 7:54 am
Bharathiyar, I think you did not read till the end: in particular, you missed page 3.
bharathiyar
On August 6, 2012 at 2:36 am
Uma, now I read the whole article. Sorry I missed to see other pages and asked for doubt. It is very interesting and I like all the pictures you made.
It is a great article.