Ayyappa Swamy, also known as Hariharaputra, is the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini (Vishnu’s female form). Worshipped predominantly in South India, especially during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, Lord Ayyappa is revered for granting courage, devotion, discipline, and liberation from material attachments.
🌟 Significance of Ayyappa Swamy Puja
- Symbolizes brahmacharya (celibacy), dharma (righteousness), and spiritual discipline.
- Devotees often undertake 41-day vratham (austerity) before visiting Sabarimala Temple.
- Lord Ayyappa destroys ego, helps overcome material desires, and grants mental clarity and spiritual elevation.
📆 Auspicious Days for Ayyappa Puja
- Mandala Kalam (Nov–Jan): 41 days of austerity before Makar Sankranti
- Makara Sankranti / Makara Jyothi (major Sabarimala celebration)
- Saturdays and Pournami (Full Moon) days
🛕 Common Names of Ayyappa
- Manikanta, Hariharatmaja, Dharma Sastha, Swamy Ayyappan
🪔 Ayyappa Swamy Puja Items
- Idol or image of Ayyappa Swamy
- Coconut, banana, betel leaves and nuts
- Flowers (especially tulsi and marigold), sandalwood paste, turmeric, kumkum
- Ghee lamp (deepam), camphor, incense sticks
- Honey, milk, jaggery
- Black vastram (cloth), mala (tulsi or rudraksha)
- Prasad: Aravana Payasam, Appam, and ghee offerings
🕉️ Ayyappa Puja Vidhi (Procedure)
- Purification & Sankalpa:
- Wear clean black clothes, take a bath, and maintain silence and discipline.
- Take Sankalpa (intention) before beginning the puja.
- Lighting the Deepam:
- Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks.
- Meditate on Lord Ayyappa’s form.
- Invocation & Dhyana:
- Chant Ayyappa Dhyana Sloka:
“Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”
“Sharanagatha rakshaka Ayyappa, Hariharaputra Mahadeva putra…”
- Offerings (Upacharas):
- Offer sandalwood, turmeric, kumkum, flowers, fruits, and naivedyam.
- Perform Archana with 108 Names or chant the Ashtottara Shatanamavali of Ayyappa.
- Recite Ayyappa Bhajans or Mantras:
- Chant Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa repeatedly.
- Recite Harivarasanam (traditionally sung during temple closing at Sabarimala).
- Aarti & Prayers:
- Wave camphor and perform aarti to the Lord.
- Conclude with prostration and offer heartfelt prayers.
- Prasad Distribution:
- Share Aravana Payasam and Appam as prasadam.
📿 Powerful Ayyappa Mantras
- Main Mantra:
“Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” - Moola Mantra:
“Om Shri Ayyappa Swamine Namaha” - 108 Names Chanting:
“Om Hariharatmajaaya Namah”, “Om Dharma Sasthre Namah”, etc.
🙌 Benefits of Ayyappa Swamy Puja
- Increases self-discipline, devotion, and inner strength
- Helps overcome tamasic tendencies like laziness and indulgence
- Grants spiritual progress and mental peace
- Removes obstacles, especially during tough phases in life
- Brings blessings for good health, righteous living, and family welfare
