Special Pooja at Ganesh Temple in Papakura draws a record congregation
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 15, 2024
For more than 500 members of the Hindu Malayalee community, the Ayyappan Vilakku Pooja was akin to the proceedings that are held in the Sanctum Sanctorum in Sabarimala in Kerala, for the event in Auckland reverberated piety, melody and sincerity.
Organised by the Organisation of Hindu Malayalees (OHM New Zealand), the event held on Sunday, December 8, 2024 was easily one of the best in recent years. Organisation General Secretary Athulya Mohandas (Shreejit) Nair, her team, and senior members of the community including Ragavan Rengachariar, Gopal Ayyar and Sunil Kumar deserve credit for bringing the spirit of Ayyappan to the Lord Ganesha Temple in the South Auckland suburb of Papakura.
Temple Chief Priest Parameswaran Chandru, his Assistants Vasudeva Sharma and Sivakumaran Vijithan, Trustees Radhakrishnan Nadarajah (Chairman), Geetha Bhardan, Ras Manikkam, Rammohan Danthala and Jiten Lal deserve credit for their religious, spiritual and catering services.
The event was a testament to the enduring spirit of devotion and cultural heritage that binds the community.
The Significance of Ayyappan Vilakku
Ayyappan Vilakku, also known as Mandala Vilakku, is a Festival dedicated to Lord Ayyappan (or Ayyappa), a Deity revered for his embodiment of Dharma (Righteousness), Self-Discipline, and Spiritual Enlightenment. Vilakku (Lamp) symbolises the Eternal Divine Light that dispels ignorance and guides souls toward transcendental truth.
The Festival’s origins are deeply rooted in the legends of Lord Ayyappa, 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 Ayyappan Vilakku Programme at Lord Ganesh Temple began with the Irumudi Kattu procession led by Mr Rengachariar (who conducts daily Pooja at his Mt Roskill residence every year). Irumudi symbolises the arduous path to spiritual realisation. Devotees, dressed in simple black or blue attire, carried the Irumudi, a small bundle of offerings for Lord Ayyappa, (traditionally carried by pilgrims visiting the sacred Hill Shrine of Sabarimala in Kerala.
The Main Pooja included rituals such as Ekakumba Pooja, Sankalpam, Vigneshwara Pooja, Rudrabishekam, Neyyabhishekam, and Kumbhabhishekam. These rituals were performed with meticulous precision, invoking the blessings of Lord Ayyappa and fostering a sense of divine communion among the devotees.
Community Participation
The Ayyappan Vilakku programme in Auckland was a beautiful blend of devotion, tradition, and community spirit. It provided an opportunity for the Hindu Malayalee community to come together, celebrate their shared heritage, and seek spiritual enlightenment. The event was a reminder of the timeless quest for inner awakening and the importance of unity in the pursuit of truth and righteousness.
The event was not just a religious observance but also a cultural celebration. Devotees actively participated in bhajans and folk songs in praise of Lord Ayyappa, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity. The highlight of the evening was the Mahadeepaarathanai, a grand lamp-lighting ceremony (involving several types of lamps), followed by the distribution of Maha Prasadam, prepared mostly by Mr Danthala.
The Ayyappan Vilakku Programme is a part of the larger Mandalakalam, a 41-day spiritual period marked by rigorous disciplines such as austerity, celibacy, and abstinence from material indulgences. This period culminates in the celebration of Ayyappan Vilakku, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of cosmic order.
Lord Ayyappa: The Guardian of Dharma
Lord Ayyappa, also known as Manikandan, is one of the most venerated Deities in South India, especially among the followers of the Sabarimala Pilgrimage. His Legends and the rituals associated with him are deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual fabric of Kerala.
His Divine Birth symbolises the blending of Lord Shiva’s cosmic destruction and transformation energies with Lord Vishnu’s preserving and nurturing forces. As an infant, Ayyappa was found on the banks of the Pampa River by King Rajashekara of Pandalam. The King adopted the child, naming him Manikandan because of the sacred bell (Mani) tied around his neck (Kandan).
From a young age, Lord Ayyappa exhibited extraordinary abilities in physical prowess and intellect. His mission became apparent when He subdued the demoness Mahishi, restoring Peace and Dharma. This victory, combined with his innate divinity, led to His ascension to the Sabarimala Shrine.
The Sabarimala temple is situated in the dense forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala. Accessible only after a rigorous trek, the Temple is perched atop the Sabarimala (Sabari Hill), 4133 feet above sea level. A Pilgrimage to this Sacred Shrine is considered a challenging yet spiritually rewarding, embodying both physical endurance and spiritual purification.
The Temple is open to devotees during specific periods known as Mandala Pooja (which lasts 41 days) and the Makaravilakku Festival in January. The Pilgrimage season typically begins in mid-November and culminates in mid-January, with millions undertaking the strenuous journey to seek Ayyappa’s blessings.
Pilgrims, also known as Ayyappa Swamis, observe a strict 41-day vratham (austerity period) before undertaking the pilgrimage. During this period, devotees adhere to rigorous disciplines including celibacy, abstinence from alcohol and non-vegetarian food, and simple living, symbolizing their journey towards spiritual enlightenment and purity.
Pilgrims wear black or blue attire and malas (sacred beads), signifying their renunciation of material desires. The journey begins from Erumeli, where devotees pay respects to Vavar Swami, traditionally believed to be a Muslim Devotee, exemplifying the harmonious coexistence of different faiths.
The trek through the dense forests and steep hills to reach the Temple is a symbolic representation of the soul’s journey through life’s trials and tribulations towards the ultimate truth. The chanting of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” reverberates through the journey, inspiring strength and devotion among the pilgrims.
Unique Rituals
One of the unique aspects of Sabarimala is the Irumudi Kattu, a traditional bundle carried by Pilgrims. The bundle contains offerings like rice, coconut filled with ghee, and camphor, which are symbolic of the surrender of one’s ego and worldly ties.
The culminating ritual at Sabarimala is the Neyyabhishekam, where the ghee from the coconuts is poured over the idol of Lord Ayyappa. This act signifies the devotee’s offering of their soul to the Divine, seeking purification and blessings.
Another significant event is the Makara Jyothi sighting, a Celestial Light that appears on Makara Sankranti (Mid-January). Devotees believe that witnessing this Light is a divine manifestation of Lord Ayyappa and brings immense spiritual merit.
In contemporary times, the message of Lord Ayyappa and the practices associated with the Sabarimala Pilgrimage hold significant relevance. They inspire individuals to lead a life of discipline, empathy, and unity amidst diversity. The inclusive nature of the pilgrimage, where devotees from different backgrounds come together, highlights the universal nature of spirituality that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.
The reverence for Lord Ayyappa and the Sabarimala pilgrimage is a profound testament to the enduring faith and devotion of millions. It is a journey that challenges the body, purifies the mind, and elevates the spirit, making it a unique spiritual odyssey that continues to inspire and unite people across generations.
