Lord Ayyappan: The Mystery Son Of Vishnu & Shiva

Have you ever heard about the mystery son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu? Yes, Lord Shiva fathered the child of Lord Vishnu who is still revered as an important deity in Hinduism. Every year people take a pilgrimage to the place where the deity resides and offer prayers. This pilgrimage site is located in Kerala and is visited by millions of pilgrims after observing a 41 days penance. Yes, you have guessed it right. We are talking about Lord Ayyappan of Sabarimala.

Lord Ayyappan is said to have been born from the union of Lord Shiva with Mohini (female form of Lord Vishnu). He was born to slay a demoness known as Mahishi who had been creating havoc after receiving a boon from Lord Brahma. Lord Ayyappan is also known as Manikantan. He was adopted and raised by king Rajashekhara.

ALSO SEE: STORY OF LORD VENKATESHWARA

Lord Ayyappan is believed to be a celibate and therefore depicted as sitting in a yogic posture, wearing a jewel around His neck. The most prominent shrine of Lord Ayyappan is located in Sabarimala where the Lord Himself is said to have lived. It is one of the largest pilgrimage sites of the world and devotees believe that if one observes all the austerities prescribed for worshipping Lord Ayyappan is followed then all his wishes are fulfilled.

But what is the secret behind this mystery God born out of the union of two male deities? Read on to find out.

Mahishi: The Demoness

After Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur, his sister Mahishi became outraged and decided to seek revenge for her brother's death. She observed a long penance and pleased Lord Brahma. She asked for a boon to be invulnerable against all men and women except the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Since there was no possibility of having a child out of a male union, Mahishi thought she was invincible. Thus, she began creating havoc in the lives of all beings of the universe.

Union Of Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu

All the Gods approached Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva for help against the demoness. It is then Lord Vishnu came up with a plan. Lord Vishnu had taken female incarnation of Mohini to save nectar from the demons during the time of churning the ocean (Samudra Manthan). So, if He took the Mohini form again, it was possible for Him and Lord Shiva to have a divine child out of the union, who would combine the powers of Durga to beat Mahishi.

Prince Manikantan

After Lord Ayyappan was born, His divine parents tied a golden bell (mani) around His neck (kantan) and left Him by the Pampa river. The childless king Rajashekhara happened to cross the river when he found the little boy. He adopted Manikantan and brought him up like his own son. Later the king had his own biological son but he wanted Manikantan to be the heir to his throne. The queen however wanted her own son to be the king. So, she feigned an incurable illness and plotted to kill Manikantan. The doctor, on the queen's instructions, prescribed that the queen could be cured only by having a tigress' milk. So, Manikantan set out to get the milk for queen.

Ayyappan Kills Mahishi

On the way to get the tigress' milk, Manikantan came across the demoness Mahishi. Huge fight ensued between the two and and eventually Manikantan killed Mahishi on the banks of the Azhutha river. He then went to get the tigress' milk where He met Lord Shiva and got to know the secret of His birth.

Ayyappan At Sabarimala

When Manikantan came back, the king had already understood the plot against him by the queen. He asked Manikantan for forgiveness and begged Him to stay. But Manikantan calmed the king and asked him to build a temple at Sabarimala where Manikantan would forever reside as Lord Ayyappan for the welfare of people. Thus, the temple was built and people have to undergo a hard penance to reach the temple. Since Lord Ayyappan was a celibate, women of age group 10-50 are exempted from entering the temple. Devotees worship the Lord with offerings and have climb down 18 steps backwards, facing the Lord. The Lord is said to fulfill all the wishes of His devotees.