Prasanth Pavithran
Auckland, December 5, 2024
Prasanth Pavithran
Auckland, December 5, 2024
Ayyappa Vilakku organised by the Organisation of Hindu Malayalees NZ (OHM NZ) is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 8, 2024, at Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple, Papakura between 5 pm – 8 pm NZT.
Priest Parameswaran Chandru will conduct the Pooja.
You can join at Ayyappan Vilakku @ OHM NZ
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa: May the divine light of Lord Ayyappa guide us on the path of truth and liberation.
Lord Ayyappa is the embodiment of Dharma (Righteousness), self-discipline, and the ascetic pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
Ayyappan Vilakku is a revered and spiritually enriching Festival dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
Originating in Kerala, this sacred observance is woven with threads of devotion, tradition, and the timeless quest for inner awakening.
The 18 Divine Steps (Pathinettapadi) are symbolic of the Sublime (INL File Picture)
Emergence of Cosmic Energies
The term ‘Vilakku’ translates to ‘lamp’ in Malayalam, symbolising the eternal divine light that dispels the shadows of ignorance and guides souls toward transcendental truth.
The genesis of Ayyappan Vilakku is deeply entwined with the legends of Lord Ayyappa, also known as Manikandan, who is believed to be born from the mystical union of Lord Shiva and Mohini, the enchanting Female form of Lord Vishnu. This unique parentage signifies the convergence of cosmic energies and the harmony of masculine and feminine divine principles. The festival venerates Lord Ayyappa’s victory over evil forces, epitomising the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of cosmic order.
Peity and Orthodoxy
Ayyappan Vilakku is predominantly celebrated during the auspicious Mandalakalam, a 41-day spiritual period commencing in mid-November and culminating in December. According to the Malayalam calendar, it begins on the first day of the month of Vrichikam and concludes on the 11th day of the following month, Dhanu.
This period is marked by rigorous spiritual disciplines, with devotees following a path of austerity, celibacy, and abstinence from material indulgences.
Dressed in simple black or blue attire, symbolising renunciation and equality, they wear a beaded mala (garland) as a sign of their vows and devotion. A significant aspect of the Mandalakalam is the pilgrimage to the sacred hill shrine of Sabarimala, nestled in the Western Ghats of India.
This journey symbolises the arduous path to spiritual realisation, filled with physical challenges and tests of faith. The pilgrims, referred to as Ayyappans, traverse dense forests and steep terrains, chanting hymns and supporting one another, embodying unity and brotherhood. Upon reaching the sanctum sanctorum, the sight of the divine idol of Lord Ayyappa fills the devotees with immeasurable bliss and a sense of divine communion.
The Main Pooja
Chief Priest Parameswaran (Chandru) will lead the ceremony by receiving the Irumudi and initiating the festival with Ekakumba Pooja, Sankalpam, and Vigneshwara Pooja. Devotees will have the opportunity to witness sacred rituals such as Rudrabishekam, Neyyabhishekam, and Kumbhabhishekam. The event will feature bhajans and folk songs in praise of Lord Ayyappan, encouraging active participation from devotees. The festivities will culminate with Mahadeepaarathanai and the distribution of Maha Prasadam.
The program is scheduled to conclude by 8 pm.
Offerings by Devotees
Devotees can offer Neythenga, providing an opportunity for devotees to partake in this revered ritual. Neythenga, a coconut filled with ghee, holds profound spiritual symbolism, representing purity, self-surrender, and the quest for enlightenment in Lord Ayyappa’s worship. In spiritual philosophy, the coconut is often likened to the human form, with the outer shell representing the physical body, the white kernel symbolising the mind and thoughts, and the ghee-filled interior embodying the soul (Atma).
Offering the Neythenga becomes a profound metaphor for the journey towards liberation (moksha), as it signifies aligning the body, mind, and soul with divine energies through devotion and spiritual practice. Through this sacred act of devotion, devotees can seek the divine blessings of Lord Ayyappa for inner peace, spiritual guidance, and liberation.
OHM NZ invites you to join them in celebrating Ayyappan Vilakku @ OHM NZ on December 8, 2024, at Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple, Papakura between 5 pm and 8 pm.
Prasanth Pavithran a Member of the OHM NZ Executive Committee.
