God Ayyappan: The Divine Warrior of Dharma

Introduction

Ayyappan is a rare god in Hindu mythology, born of the holy union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (incarnated as Mohini). He embodies dharma (morality), kindness, and self-control. Ayyappan is particularly worshiped in South India, where the faithful make pilgrimages to his temples, showing unshakeable dedication, self-denial, and solidarity with their vows and actions.

The Symbolism of Lord Ayyappan

Lord Ayyappan’s life and appearance are full of spiritual meaning:

• Seated Pose: Shown in a yogic pose, representing balance, control, and inner peace.
• Tiger: Symbolizes his divine mission to conquer evil, as he sat on a tiger after killing the demon Mahishi.
• Chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”: Represents surrender and devotion to the Lord.

Famous Temples of Lord Ayyappan

Lord Ayyappan’s temples are famous for their religious importance and special customs. Some of the most well-known temples are:

• Sabarimala Temple, Kerala: The most popular Ayyappan temple, located on the top of the Western Ghats. The pilgrims numbering millions visit the temple every year with strict oaths of chastity and austerity.
• Achan Kovil Temple, Kerala: This temple is renowned for its peaceful environment and honors Ayyappan’s kindness and care for his followers.
• Arulmigu Sri Dharma Sastha Temple, Tamil Nadu: A well-known temple where Ayyappan is revered as Dharma Sastha, the guardian of justice.
• Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram: Although a Lord Ganapathy temple, it finds importance among Ayyappa pilgrims on their way to Sabarimala.

Slogans and Mantras for Lord Ayyappan

Reciting slogans and mantras for Lord Ayyappan promotes spiritual development, devotion, and discipline. Some of the most popular ones are:

• “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”: A universal mantra that conveys total surrender and belief in Lord Ayyappan.
• “Hariharaputra Namah”: A mantra praising Ayyappan as the divine son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
• “Om Shram Hreem Kleem Ayyappaya Namah”: A divine mantra for protection, bravery, and inner peace.
• “Dharmashastave Namah”: A prayer extolling Ayyappan as the protector of dharma and righteousness.

Rituals and Practices

Worshippers of Lord Ayyappan follow strict practices as part of their devotion:

• 41-Day Vratham: A time of austerity that includes celibacy, dressing in black or blue, and refraining from worldly pleasures.
• Sabarimala Pilgrimage: People recite “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” as they climb through dense woods to reach the hill shrine.
• Offering Ghee-filled Coconut: Represents purity and dedication, a major aspect of Ayyappan worship.

Festivals and Celebrations

Lord Ayyappan’s festivals are celebrated with pomp and devotion:

• Makaravilakku: It is celebrated during January at Sabarimala, the emergence of the divine light.
• Mandala Puja: Performed during the 41-day vratham, culminating in a grand festival at Ayyappan temples.

Conclusion

Lord Ayyappan encourages his followers to lead a life of righteousness, devotion, and discipline. Worshipping him with faith and recitation of his holy mantras imparts spiritual enlightenment, peace, and the ability to face life’s difficulties. His temples are centers of hope, harmony, and divine grace.

“Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa! Bless us with peace, prosperity, and divine wisdom, Lord Ayyappan.”

Ayyappan saranam

1. Om Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
2. Om Harihara Sudhane Saranam Ayyappa
3. Om Kannimoola Ganapathi Bhagavane Saranam Ayyappa
4. Om Sakthi Vadivelan (Aarumugan) Chodharane Saranam Ayyappa
5. Om Maaligai Purathu Manja Maathave Saranam Ayyappa
6. Om Vaavar Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
7. Om Karuppanna Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
8. Om Periya Kadutha Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
9. Om Siriya Kadutha Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
10. Om Vanadevatha Maare Saranam Ayyappa
11. Om Durga Bhagavathi Maare Saranam Ayyappa
12. Om Achchan Koovil Arase Saranam Ayyappa
13. Om Anaatha Rakshakane Saranam Ayyappa
14. Om Anna Daanap Prabhuve Saranam Ayyappa
15. Om Acham Thavirbhavane Saranam Ayyappa
16. Om Ambalathu Arasane Saranam Ayyappa
17. Om Apaya Thaayakane Saranam Ayyappa
18. Om Ahandaizhalippavane Saranam Ayyappa
19. Om Ashtasiddhi Thaayakane Saranam Ayyappa
20. Om Andinorai Aadharikku Deivamye Saranam Ayyappa
21. Om Azhudhaiyin Vaasanaye Saranam Ayyappa
22. Om Aariyangavu Ayyaave Saranam Ayyappa
23. Om Aapath Paandhavaney Saranam Ayyappa
24. Om Ananda Jyothiye Saranam Ayyappa
25. Om Aathma Swaroopiye Saranam Ayyappa
26. Om Aanaimugan Thambiye Saranam Ayyappa
27. Om Irumudi Priyane Saranam Ayyappa
28. Om Innala Theerppavane Saranam Ayyappa
29. Om Haeka Parasukha Thaayakane Saranam Ayyappa
30. Om Irudaya Kamala Vaasanaye Saranam Ayyappa
31. Om Eedhilla Inbam Alippavane Saranam Ayyappa
32. Om Umaiyaval Paalakane Saranam Ayyappa
33. Om Uvaimaikku Arul Purindhavaney Saranam Ayyappa
34. Om Uzhvinai Akatruthoone Saranam Ayyappa
35. Om Ukkam Alippavane Saranam Ayyappa
36. Om Engum Niraindhavaney Saranam Ayyappa
37. Om Ennalulla Roopane Saranam Ayyappa
38. Om En Kula Deivame Saranam Ayyappa
39. Om En Guru Naadhane Saranam Ayyappa
40. Om Erumeli Vaazhum Kratha-Saasthave Saranam Ayyappa
41. Om Engum Niraindha Naadh Brahmae Saranam Ayyappa
42. Om Ellorkkum Arul Puribavane Saranam Ayyappa
43. Om Etrumaanoorappan Maghane Saranam Ayyappa
44. Om Ekaantha Vaasie Saranam Ayyappa
45. Om Ezhai Karul Puriyum Eesane Saranam Ayyappa
46. Om Ainthu Malai Vaasane Saranam Ayyappa
47. Om Ayyangale Theerppavane Saranam Ayyappa
48. Om Oppilla Maanikame Saranam Ayyappa
49. Om Omkaar Parabrahmae Saranam Ayyappa
50. Om Kaliyuga Varadhane Saranam Ayyappa
51. Om Kankanda Deivame Saranam Ayyappa
52. Om Kambankudikku Udaya Naadhane Saranam Ayyappa
53. Om Karuna Samudhramae Saranam Ayyappa
54. Om Karpoora Jyothiye Saranam Ayyappa
55. Om Sabari Giri Vaasane Saranam Ayyappa
56. Om Sathru Samhaara Moorthiye Saranam Ayyappa
57. Om Saranagatha Rakshakane Saranam Ayyappa
58. Om Saranakosham Priyane Saranam Ayyappa
59. Om Sabariyukku Arul Purindhavaney Saranam Ayyappa
60. Om Shaambhukumaarane … Saranam Ayyappa
61. Om Sathya Swaroopane Saranam Ayyappa
62. Om Sangadam Theerppavane Saranam Ayyappa
63. Om Sanjalama Azhipavane Saranam Ayyappa
64. Om Shanmuga Chodharane Saranam Ayyappa
65. Om Dhanvanthari Moorthiye Saranam Ayyappa
66. Om Nambinorai Kaakkum Deivamye Saranam Ayyappa
67. Om Narthana Priyane Saranam Ayyappa
68. Om Pandhal Raajakumaarane Saranam Ayyappa
69. Om Pampai Paalakane Saranam Ayyappa
70. Om Parasu Raama Poojithane Saranam Ayyappa
71. Om Bhakta Jana Rakshakane Saranam Ayyappa
72. Om Bhakta Vathsalaney Saranam Ayyappa
73. Om Parama Sivan Puththirane Saranam Ayyappa
74. Om Pampaa Vaasane Saranam Ayyappa
75. Om Parama Dhayalaney Saranam Ayyappa
76. Om Manikanda Porule Saranam Ayyappa
77. Om Makar Jyothiye Saranam Ayyappa
78. Om Vaikkathu Appan Maghane Saranam Ayyappa
79. Om Kaana Gha Vaasane Saranam Ayyappa
80. Om Kulathu Puzhai Paalakane Saranam Ayyappa
81. Om Guruvayoorappan Maghane Saranam Ayyappa
82. Om Kaivalya Paatha Thaayakane Saranam Ayyappa
83. Om Jaathi Madha Paedham Illadhaavane Saranam Ayyappa
84. Om Sivasakthi Aikya Swaroopane Saranam Ayyappa
85. Om Seviporukku Aananda Moorthiye Saranam Ayyappa
86. Om Dushthar Bhayam Neekuvone Saranam Ayyappa
87. Om Devaadhi Deevane Saranam Ayyappa
88. Om Deivargal Thuyaram Theerthavane Saranam Ayyappa
89. Om Devaendhra Poojithane Saranam Ayyappa
90. Om Naarayana Maindhane Saranam Ayyappa
91. Om Ney Abhishega Priyane Saranam Ayyappa
92. Om Pranava Swaroopane Saranam Ayyappa
93. Om Paapa Samhaara Moorthiye Saranam Ayyappa
94. Om Paayasanna Priyane Saranam Ayyappa
95. Om Vanpuli Vaahanane Saranam Ayyappa
96. Om Varapradhayakane Saranam Ayyappa
97. Om Bhagavathodhmaney Saranam Ayyappa
98. Om Ponnambala Vaasane Saranam Ayyappa
99. Om Mohini Sudhane Saranam Ayyappa
100. Om Mohana Roopane Saranam Ayyappa
101. Om Villan Villali Veerane Saranam Ayyappa
102. Om Veeramani Kandane Saranam Ayyappa
103. Om Sathguru Naadhane Saranam Ayyappa
104. Om Sarva Rogha Nivarakane .. Saranam Ayyappa
105. Om Sachchidananda Swaroopiye Saranam Ayyappa
106. Om Sarva Bheeshhta Thaayakane Saranam Ayyappa
107. Om Saashwathapadham Alippavane Saranam Ayyappa
108. Om Pathinettam Padikudiya Naadhane Saranam Ayyappa