A Glimpse into Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple stands hidden in the dense greenery of Mundanthurai Reserve Forest, nestled between Papanasam and Karaiyar Dam in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. On the banks of the Thamirabarani River, this sacred site ranks among the six significant Sastha temples in South India. While Lord Shiva in the form of a Shivalinga is the primary deity, the temple’s fame centers on Lord Ayyappa (Dharma Sastha) worshipped here as Sori Muthu Ayyanar. This article explores the temple’s history, symbolism, rituals, miracles, and its unique place in the living religious tradition of devotees. Six temples are associated with the shad chakras in the human body. The Sorimuthu Ayyanar temple is associated with Moola Dharam.  Ayyappa is worshipped here as Muthayya. He is seen along with Poorna and Pushkala. Location and Natural Setting Located deep within a protected reserve forest, the temple is surrounded by thick jungles, ancient trees, and ...

The story of Ayyappa, revered in South India and beyond, is as rich in symbolism as it is in divine mystique. Among the many names by which he is known, “Manikandan” carries a special resonance. This name, laden with mythology and history, reveals not only the origins of the deity but also the deep-rooted cultural significance that continues to inspire millions of devotees. A Divine Confluence of Energies The genesis of the name “Manikandan” is intertwined with a celestial drama involving two of the principal Hindu deities – Shiva and Vishnu. According to ancient lore, the cosmic dance of divine forces was set in motion when Shiva, the ascetic and formidable lord of destruction and regeneration, learned about the incomparable beauty of Vishnu’s Mohini avatar. Driven by both curiosity and admiration, Shiva wished to witness this enchanting form himself. In response to Shiva’s desire, Vishnu took on the guise of Mohini, an irresistible enchantress whose charm could bewitch even the mo...

Ayyanar and Ayyappa are indeed two distinct deities in Hinduism, each with their own unique characteristics, origins, and worship practices. While some Hindus may consider them to be two forms of the same deity due to certain similarities or shared attributes, they are generally regarded as separate entities within Hindu religious tradition. Ayyanar is primarily worshiped in the Tamil-speaking regions of South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. He is often depicted as a rural guardian deity, associated with protecting villages, fields, and boundaries from harm and evil spirits. Ayyanar is usually portrayed riding a horse and wielding a sword, and his worship is characterized by rituals involving offerings of food, flowers, and incense, as well as the sacrifice of animals in some traditions. On the other hand, Ayyappa, also known as Lord Ayyappan or simply as Ayyappa Swami , is a prominent deity revered in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, particularly among the devotees of Saba...

The image of Ayyappa riding a tiger is often associated with the Hindu deity Ayyappan, particularly in the context of the Sabarimala pilgrimage in Kerala, India. Ayyappan is a popular deity worshipped mainly in South India, and he is considered to be a synthesis of various deities, including Vishnu and Shiva. According to legend, Mahishi, the sister of Mahishasura, sought revenge for her brother's death at the hands of Goddess Durga. Mahishi undertook intense penance, summoning Brahma to grant her a boon. She stipulated that only a son born to Shiva and Vishnu could end her life, and this son must live among humans for 12 years. With her granted boon, Mahishi unleashed her wrath, spreading Adharma and threatening all living beings. Distressed, creatures sought the help of Shiva and Vishnu, who pledged to end Mahishi's reign. Intrigued by tales of Vishnu's enchanting Mohini incarnation, Shiva expressed a desire to witness Mohini's beauty. Vishnu then appeared befor...

Ayyappa, also known as Iyyappan or Ayyappan, is a revered deity in Hinduism, particularly in the South Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The sitting posture of Ayyappa in iconography holds symbolic significance, as is the case with many Hindu deities. However, it's important to note that depictions and interpretations may vary across different traditions and regions. Here are some common symbolic elements associated with Hariharasudhan Ayyappa's sitting posture: Meditative Pose (Padmasana or Sukhasana): Ayyappa is often depicted sitting in a meditative pose, which signifies inner peace, concentration, and spiritual contemplation. This reflects the idea of a deity who is deeply immersed in meditation and self-realization. Yogic Symbolism: Ayyappa is considered a yogi, and his posture often reflects yogic symbolism. The various yogic poses emphasize control over the body and mind, representing the disciplined and focused nature of Ayyappa's worship. Asc...

Every God and Goddess in Hindu religion has a particular day associated with them. The day associated with Ayyappa or Sabarimala Sastha is Saturday. It is widely believed that Ayyappan appeared on earth to satisfy his devotees (born) on the last day of Dhanu Masam as per traditional Malayalam Hindu solar calendar followed in Kerala. The day was Saturday. The nakshtra was Uthram and the tithi was Krishna Paksha Panchami. It is also believed that the murti of Ayyappa was consecrated at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on a Saturday on Makara Samkramana day. The tithi was Krishna Paksha panchami and nakshatra was uthram. It is widely believed that having vegetarian food only once on the day and visiting Ayyappa temple will help a devotee in achieving desire fulfillment. 

Makaravilakku – Makarajyothi is the most anticipated festival at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. It takes place on January 14 or 15, evening (Makara Sankrama Sandhya) – the time when the Dakshinayana Punyakalam ends and Uttarayan or Uttarayana Punyakalam starts. There are numerous stories regarding the origin and history of the Makarajyothi and Makaravilakku. The most popular legend is that after defeating demon Mahishasura, Ayyappa merged with the Dharma Shastha Murti at the Sabarimala Temple on the Makarajyothi day. Makaravilakku is the Jyothi that appears at Ponnambalameddu three times on Makar Sankranti day after evening puja. Makara Jyothi is the star that appears on the sky during the Puja. Another legend has it that Parashurama first lit the Makaravilakku after installing the murti of Ayyappa. It is also believed that the tribals who were harassed by the demon Mahishasura first lit the light to celebrate the slaying of their tormentor by Ayyappa. Another pop...

Petta Thullal at Erumeli is on the most important event during the Sabarimala Pilgrimage to the Ayyappa Temple . Erumely Petta Thullal 2026 date is January 11. Ayyappa devotees perform Petta Thullal – the dance of ecstasy – commemorating the victory achieved over Demon Mahishasura by Lord Ayyappa, Vavur Swami, Ambalapuzha Sangam (team) and Alancode Sangam. The entire ceremony is performed in front of the Erumeli Vavar Mosque and Pettah Sri Dharmasastha Temple . The Petta Thullal is performed to the chanting of Swami Ennakathom… Swami Thinthakathom. The Ambalapuzha team starts their journey from the Ambalapuzha temple a couple of days before the Petta Thullal day. They reach Erumeli after performing Aazhi Puja at the Manimala Bhagavati Temple . This puja is performed for the redemption of sins. Ambalapuzha Sangam starts their Petta Thullal after witnessing the Eagle flying round in sky. The popular belief is that Lord Vishnu arrives from Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple...

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi festival is observed on the first day of the Makara Masam as per traditional Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala. Sabarimala Makaravilakku 2026 date is January 14. The popular is that Lord Ayyappa merged with the main murti in the Sabarimala Temple on the day. On the Sabarimala Makaravilakku day, the evening deeparadhana is the most important puja. During the deeparadhana, Lord Ayyappa gives darshan fully attired in the Thiruvabharanam – gold ornaments – which is specially brought from the Pandalam Palace . Before the evening deeparadhana on Makaravilakku day, an eagle hovers over the Sabarimala Temple . Next the Makara Star appears on the sky – Makara Jyothi is the star that appears on the sky on the day in the evening. Next is the appearance of Makaravilakku – it is the light that appears three times in the distant hill at Ponnambalamedu. Related Sabarimala Makaravilakku And Makara Jyothi Festival - Reas...

Achankoil Sastha Temple , or the Dharmasastha Temple , is one among the five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala . Lord Ayyappa leads the Grihastha Ashrama life here – he is depicted as a family man or leads married life here. He is depicted along with his two wives – Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that the idol here was installed by Lord Parashurama. The Sastha Murti (Vigraham) in the shrine is unique as he holds sword and shield. He also wears colorful clothes.   The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for curing poisonous snake bites. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil Sastha Temple always holds ‘Chandan’ (sandalwood paste) and Thirtha (holy water). The Chandan and Thirtha are considered to have medicinal properties to cure snake bites. The temple complex also contains other deities associated with the Ayyappa legend. The festivals and rituals held here have strong Tamil roots. The subsidiary deities worshippe...

One of the most important mantras chanted by Ayyappa devotees to Sabarimala is Swami Saranam. This mantra is uttered as a greeting when two Ayyappa devotees and pilgrims meet. Everything starts and ends in Swami Saranam. Swami Saranam literally means ‘the only hope is Ayyappa.’ But the two words that reverberates in mind of millions of Ayyappa devotees has a more significant and symbolic meaning. Swami Saranam -  Swa – the uttering of this syllable reminds one of the Parabrahma the ultimate source or the Supreme Being. M – represents Shiva. I – represents Shakti. The syllable ‘MI’ represents Shiva Shakti – creation. Sha – syllable in the mantra represents the destruction of all enemies like ego. Ra – represents knowledge, which purifies and puts us in the path of self realization. Nam – is Shanti and final merging in the Supreme Soul. The uttering of the mantra Swami Saranam installs piety and modesty in a devotee. He suddenly transforms ...

Mampazhathurai Bhagavathi temple is located near the famous Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. As per one story, the shrine is dedicated to Goddess Pushkala. As per another belief the shrine is dedicated to Goddess Yakshi. As per one story the Goddess is Pushkala. Ayyappa had married Pushakal, who belonged to the Saurashtrian community that settled in Madurai. It is said that once Ayyappa happened to see Pushkala cooking a hunted deer. As Ayyappa was vegetarian, he was angered by the incident and asked Pushkala to stay away from the Aryankavu temple premises. In anger, she went and sat at the spot where the present Mambazha Thurai Bhagavathi temple is located. Another story has it that the marriage between Pushkala and Ayyappa was fixed. But the day before marriage, Pushkala had her monthly periods. Therefore it was impossible for the marriage ceremony to take place. Ayyappa saw this as an omen and decided to stay Brahmachari or celibate and he a...

The annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala attracts nearly 50 million people. The pilgrimage is also famous for the worship of Ayyappa’s Muslim warrior friend Vavar and it is this aspect of the Sabarimala Pilgrimage that William Dalrymple, historian and internationally acclaimed writer of travel books, explores. William Dalrymple writes in Mail and Guardian Online The cult of Lord Ayyappa is notable in that it recognizes no distinctions of caste or creed. All pilgrims eat and travel together; and more remarkable still, at the small hill town of Erumeli , all the pilgrims -- the vast majority of whom are Hindu -- pray not only at the temple but also at the town's mosque. They do this in memory of the legendary assistance given to Lord Ayyappa by a Muslim warrior named Vavar. In a country that sometimes seems irreparably divided along lines of religion, this was something remarkable.  "Vavar was a good friend to Lord Ayyappa,...

Raktakandaswamy is a god worshipped in Hindu temples in Kerala. The deity is also known as Arathakandan. This form is only worshipped in Kerala and people believe that this is Ayyappa or Sastha. It is believed that Raktakandaswamy blesses and helps devotees in achieving victory in battles. This deity is today worshipped for wish fulfillment, to overcome fear, to solve sleep related issues and to mitigate fears of ghost and other evil spirits. One comes across couple of Arthakandan Kavukal in South Kerala. These are sacred groves dedicated to the deity. The most famous temple dedicated to Raktakandaswamy is located at Omalloor in Pathanamthitta district (Kerala). The temple is 4 km south of Pathanamthitta town. Many devotees going to Sabarimala visit the shrine as this is rarest of rare forms of Ayyappa.

The Mandala Puja observed in the Malayalam month Dhanu marks the end of 41-day pilgrimage or the Mandala Kalam at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Sabarimala Mandala Pooja 2025 date is December 27. The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple which opens in mid-November remains continuously open for 41 days till the Mandala Puja. After the Mandala Pooja, the temple closes for a brief period of two to three days and reopens for Makaravilakku festival, which is observed on January 14, 2026. The Sabarimala Mandala Kalam begins in mid-November – on the first day of Malayalam month Vrishchikam. The 41 days conclude during the last week of December – in the Malayalam month Dhanu. The puja on last day is known as Mandala Puja and it is held in the evening. The puja is held by adorning the Thanka Anki (golden attire) which is brought in a procession from the famous Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple . Related Sabarimala Temple Calendar – 2025 - 2026 - Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Op...

Malikapurathamma is the Goddess that is worshipped in a subsidiary shrine at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Malikapurathamma Temple is visited after having darshan of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . As per the story of Malikapurathamma, she is Demoness Mahishi who was annihilated by Ayyappa. When Mahishi – the buffalo-headed demon – was killed by Ayyappa, she changed into a beautiful woman. Mahishi in her previous birth was the daughter of Sage Galvan. She was cursed by a student of Galvan to become a buffalo headed demon. With Ayyappa killing Mahishi, she attained reprieve from curse. The beautiful woman wanted to marry Ayyappa. But Ayyappa told her that he is a Brahmachari. Ayyappa asked her to reside near his temple in Sabarimala. Her temple in time came to be known as Malikapurathamma Temple . Ayyappa also told her that He will marry her when no first timer (kanni Ayyappa) comes to Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Related Story of Mahishi

The most important offering to Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is Ghee. Ayyappa loves Abhisheka and he is therefore also known as Abhisheka Priyan. The most popular abhishekam is using Neyyu or ghee. Devotees bring ghee to the temple by felling it inside a coconut. This coconut is known as Neythenga or the coconut filled with ghee. This coconut is carried from home in the Irumudi kettu. The ghee symbolizes the human soul and through the abhishekam of the ghee on Lord Ayyappa the soul merges with the Supreme Being. The jeevatma is ghee and the paramatma is Lord Ayyappa. Once the ghee is removed from the coconut, then the coconut symbolizes Jadam or dead body. This is the reason why the coconut is then offered in the huge Aazhi or fire in front of the temple.

A darshan of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is only complete when it is made after climbing the 18 holy steps. Atop the 18 steps is the shrine of Lord Ayyappa and below the 18 steps is the Aazhi or the huge bonfire lit using coconut. There is a popular belief that the 18 steps symbolically represent the 18 Puranas. Another symbolism suggests that the 18 steps are a combination of Pancha bhutas, Ashta Ragas, the three gunas, vidya and Avidya. There are also many scholars who suggest that the significance of the 18 steps is based on Yoga – as Lord Ayyappa is sitting in a yoga posture at the temple. As per yoga, in a human body the sushma nadi marga has six chakras and each has three steps. After passing these 18 steps the kundalini Shakti is believed to merge with the Brahman. So those people who believe that the significance of the 18 steps is based on yoga suggest that the huge bonfire or Aazhi on the base of the 18 steps is the Kundalini energy in...

As per Hinduism, Ayyappa was born as a result of a union between Mohini (avatar of Vishnu) and Shiva. Part of the story of the birth of Ayyappa is found in the Srimad Bhagavata Purana. There is deep symbolism attached to the birth of Ayyappa. Story Of Birth Of Ayyappa Legend has it that demon Mahishi got the boon that she will be killed only a child born from the union of Shiva and Vishnu. Mahishi, who believed that she is invincible and immortal, inflicted terror in the world. Vishnu then took Mohini Avatar to distribute the nectar received after the churning of ocean and to save Devas from the tyranny of demons. Mohini also rescued Shiva from demon Bhasmasur. Shiva who heard about the beauty of Mohini wished to see Her. Vishnu then appeared before Shiva as Mohini. On seeing the divine beauty, Mohini, Shiva instantly fell in love with her which finally resulted in the birth of a child through the thigh of Vishnu. This child was Lord Ayyappa. In due course of time...

There is no official website on the internet providing live webcasting of Sabarimala Makaravilakku 2026 and Makara Jyothi but you can still watch it live online on January 14, 2026. Most of television channels in Kerala and some in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will be telecasting live the Sabarimala Makara Jyothi and Makaravilakku form Ayyappa Temple on January 14, 2026 in the evening from 1700 hrs. So the best option is to look for the live streaming of television channels. The news channels in Kerala like Indiavision , Asianet and Manorama News has websites doing live streaming. Best option - Janam TV live - in all probability they will be airing Makaravilakku live. Another  option - The ideal option is to view Makaravilakku festival on Asianet News - Asianet News Live Another  option -  You can watch Makaravilakku Live in Tamil on Jaya TV  Other Options - chances only during the main event You can also watch manorama news online ...