Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

Introduction to the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

The Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple, or Pandalam Ayyappa Temple, is between Thottakkonam and Mulampuzha villages of Pandalam, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The temple lies within the Pandalam Palace premises. Muttar Ayyappa temple is another name for it. The Pandalam Ayyappa Temple is one of the 348 important temples of Kerala. It was classified in 1811 during the rule of Travancore Diwan Colonel John Monroe. This is the family temple of the Pandalam royal family. Pandalam is the birthplace of Lord Ayyappa in human form. It also has the famous Pandalam Ayyappa Temple, Pandalam Palace, and Pattupurukavu Devi Temple. Pandalam Palace is where Ayyappa grew up during childhood, adjacent to the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple.

Legend of the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

According to legend, the Pandalam royal family built the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple and were the custodians of the Sabarimala temple.

As per legends, Ayyappa was born from the union of Shiva and Vishnu as Mohini. He was the foster son of the King of Pandalam. Hence, during the pilgrimage season in Sabarimala, devotees flock to the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple to worship Ayyappa.

A sage called Galavamuni had a daughter named Leela. Her husband Dathan cursed her, and she was reborn as the demoness called Mahishi with a buffalo face. Ayyappa killed Mahishi, and she was relieved from her curse. She rose from the corpse as a beautiful woman, thanked the deity, and requested him to marry her. However, Ayyappa was a Brahmachari, and her desire was not fulfilled. However, he allowed Mahishi to stay in Sabarimala, and devotees worshipped her in the name of Malikappurathamma.

Birth of Ayyappa as a Human

Ayyappa is believed to be the one who protects his devotees from miseries in Kali Yuga. Dharmasasta, Manikandan, Bhutanathan, Pandala Raja, and Pamba Vaasan are his other names. Ayyappa was born with the composite energy of Shiva and Vishnu when Vishnu took Mohini's avatar. The main intention of Ayyappa's birth was to destroy the demoness Mahishi.

History of the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

The Pandalam royal family established the Sabarimala temple in 903 AD during the rule of the Pandalam dynasty. The Pandalam royal family was descended from the Pandya Kings of Madurai, who kept moving from place to place for centuries until they reached Pandalam, which became their permanent home.

With the support of the former ruler of Venad (now Travancore), they established their kingdom at Pandalam. Their dynasty extended to over 1,000 square miles. The idol of Ayyappa was erected in 1910. The Pandalam Ayyappa Temple was built in 1971 and underwent a major renovation. Pandalam state had even extended up to Thodupuzha in Idukki district. Pandalam was in Mavelikkara taluk, Alappuzha district, before the formation of the Pathanamthitta district.

The Architecture of the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

King Rajasekhara from the Pandalam dynasty built the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple after returning from the Sabarimala temple. The Pandalam Ayyappa Temple sprawls over three acres of land and features the typical Kerala architectural style.

This square-shaped temple has brass metal roofing. Malikappurathamma shrine lies southwest of this shrine. The presiding deity of the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple is Ayyappan. The sanctum has a natural procession route, a unique feature of this temple. There is no separate idol. Devotees worship a carved stone (Shaligram) representing the deity.

The Pandalam Ayyappa Temple was built along similar lines to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Pilgrims usually stop and worship the deity before proceeding to Sabarimala. Sharkkara Payasam, Aravana, and Unni appam are the main offerings to the deity. Pattupurukavu Devi Temple is half a kilometer from the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple and is dedicated to Bhadrakali. The temple celebrates the annual festival on the day of Aswathy star in Meenam (March/April) with Navratri.

Rules to follow at Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

Women between 10 and 50 years old cannot visit the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple. The devotees need to break coconuts before entering the temple. Consumption of alcohol, non-vegetarian food, and smoking are strictly banned here.

Festivals in the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple

The Makara Vilakku festival is grandly celebrated at this temple in mid-January. Three days before the Makara Vilakku festival, Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) of Ayyappa are taken in a procession from the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple to Sabarimala.

Tripunithura Raja Raja Varma is the royal delegate escorting the procession carrying the valuable jewels to Sabarimala. An 18-member team of devotees will carry three wooden boxes to Sabarimala under the leadership of Guruswami, Kulathinal Gangadharan Pillai. The Tantri, with Melsanthi, will adorn the Ayyappa idol with the jewelry before Deeparadhana.

Millions of devotees visit this temple annually during the Makara Vilakku festival season. Vishu and Onam are other festivals celebrated in the Pandalam Ayyappa Temple. The Thiruvabharanam will be returned to Pandalam Palace in a procession once the festival ends.