H-M synthesis in Kerala: Ayappa and Vavar

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:26 am

Not far from the main Ayyappa temple at Erumeli, there are two other small shrines, one dedicated to Vavar and the other to Ayyappa himself. The inhabitants in the vicinity of Vavar temple are mostly Muslims who join hands with the pilgrims of Sabarimala to participate in the festivities. Vavar was a trusted Muslim associate of Ayyappa in all his ventures of suppressing the miscreants. These two tiny shrines are at Petta.

http://www.sabarimalatemple.co.in/article/id/219/erumeli

The unique feature of this shrine is that it is a symbol of communal amity where in Lord Ayyappa and Vavaru Swami a muslim warrior, who is believed to have been the friend of Lord Ayyappa are both worshiped by all devotees. The temple is a unique example of the secular face of our great country.

http://www.srikumar.com/religion/hinduism/sabarimala.htm

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:29 am

Normally, pilgrims go to Sabarimala in groups headed by a senior pilgrim who acts as guide and spiritual mentor through the pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of black and blue robed pilgrims tumultuously shouting “Swamiaye Saranam Ayyappa” pour into the sleepy little town of Erumeli, the traditional gateway to the trek to Sabarimala. As a prelude to the tough trek, the pilgrims assume the role of a hunter by smearing their bodies with colors and tying belts of foliage round their waists. Then they begin to dance ecstatically around the streets of Erumeli. This dance is said to be in commemoration of an event involving Lord Ayyappa’s return to Erumeli as a hunter. The colorful street dance called Petta Thullal concludes at the mosque of Vavara, who according to legend, was a Muslim pirate-turned-devotee of Lord Ayyappa.

http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles_various/visit-Sabarimala.asp

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:39 am

There are many legends about Vavar and his association with Ayyappa. Some believe that Vavarswami was a Muslim saint who migrated from Arabia to India with the intention of spreading Islam. Others suggest that he was a warrior who reached the shore of Kerala as a pirate in a ship to loot and plunder. During his encounter with Lord Ayyappa, he was defeated and subdued by the Lord. Since then Vavar became a close associate of Lord Ayyappa and helped him in the wars in the mountainous region. As time passed ,Vavar too became an ardent devotee of Ayyappa just like Kaduthaswami and came to be known as Vavarswami. The old sword on the wall of the Vavar shrine symbolises the eminence of Vavar as a great warrior. It is believed that the Lord Ayyappa himself instructed the King of Pandala Desam to build a mosque for Vavar at Erumeliin Kottayam District and a shrine at Sabarimala.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vavar

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:43 am

During the Sabarimala pilgrimage in Kerala, devotees pay their respects at the Vavar mosque before they proceed to worship Lord Ayyappa.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-19/special-report/28245761_1_ayyappa-devotees-hindus-and-muslims-sacred-space

by doofus_maximus Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:53 am

Mr. Copy-Pasta Man, Looks like you had no idea about this. Many Indians especially, South Indians know everything about this.

Please follow the guidelines below:
If you find something on the internets that looks/seems new to you, it most certainly is not. Double check with a live person before copy pasting like a robot.

by Guest Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:53 am

doofus_maximus wrote:Mr. Copy-Pasta Man, Looks like you had no idea about this. Many Indians especially, South Indians know everything about this.

Please follow the guidelines below:
If you find something on the internets that looks/seems new to you, it most certainly is not. Double check with a live person before copy pasting like a robot.

have you personally been to this place? please share your experiences.

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Re: H-M synthesis in Kerala: Ayappa and Vavar