Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas, the group of seven mother like goddesses, consist of Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda. 

As narrated in Devi Mahatmya, it is said that Matrikas goddesses were created by Gods in order to aid Mahadevi in her battle against the demons Shumba and Nishumba.

The Matrikas emerged as Shakthi's out of the bodies of the gods. Brahmi form Brahma, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Maheshwari from Shiva, Kaumari from Skanda, Varahi from Varaha and Indrani from Indra. It is a group of six Deva Shakthi's and one Devi Shakthi, making it as seven ( Sapta ) 

They were armed with the same weapons, wore the same ornaments and ride the same vahanas and also carried the banners like their corresponding male Gods did. Saptamatrikas as a group indicate transformation of the male identities of gods into goddesses.

We can also see Virabhadra playing Veenai and Vinayaka on either sides of Saptamatrikas. 

Palli Kondeswarar, Lord Shiva at Surutapalli

During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk) by the gods and demons, many treasures along with the Amrita (elixir of the gods) and the poison Halahala rose from the ocean. To rescue the beings of the world from the poison, Shiva consumed it.

When the poison was just going down the throat of Shiva, his consort Parvati stopped it there by tightly holding Shiva’s throat, turning Shiva's neck blue. After the episode, Shiva proceeded to his abode Kailash with Parvati.

On the way, he felt exhausted and slightly uncomfortable, when he reached a place in the bounds of Andhra, which came to be called Suruttappalli.

There, He lied down to relax, keeping his head in the lap of Parvati. The gods, who were concerned about Shiva’s well-being assembled there and stood around him, waiting for the Lord to open his eyes.

This lying posture of Shiva is rare and unique, is almost similar to Vishnu’s reclining posture.

Can Ladies participate in Laksharchana for Hari Hara Putra Swami?

Laksharchanai is primarily dedicated to Poorna Pushkalabal Samedha Shree Hari Hara Putra Swami and not to Ayyappan.

A lot of devotees by mistake or loosely use the word Ayyappa Laksharchanai. Since the Sankalpam is Poorna Pushkalabal Samedha Shree Hari Hara Putra Swami prasaada siddhyarthe jape viniyoga.

Swami's Sahasranamam can be recited by any devotees, their is myth that ladies should not recite Sahasranamam or only Brahmins are allowed to sit in Laksharchanai.... These are just Myths needs to go.....

Sahasranamam which glorifies Swami's names and hidden stories should be chanted and cherished by devotees....

Poorna Pushkalabal Samedha Shree Then Kulathoril Ayyan Thunai..... Regards Mahesh Jayaraman....

Kottai Muni

Kottai Muni are generally classified as SivaGana's. They are actually furious and servants of Lord Shiva.

Riga Veda define them as people who were having supernatural feats and magic arts. 
Their are multiple Muni's like Kottai Muni, Agni Muni, Vettai Muni, Raja Muni, Bhadra Muni, Veera Muni, Dharma Muni, Vettai Muni, Nundi Muni etc.... Many of these Muni's have not gone through human life cycle, but some of them refered above were former warriors, kings or sage who achieved the status of Muni after human death.  

Additionally, the trees as such as Ala Maram,Arasa Maram and Pana Maram are believed to be the gateways used by the Muni's to travel between different dimensions. The Muni's are also believed to reside in such trees. 

Tree Worship is the oldest form of Muni worship. Kottai Muni is the presiding deity of the annual bullfight which happens in Tamil Nadu.

Kashi Thirubulaaneswar Temple Sri Dharma Sastha

It was this idol which was taken around south India before the Puna Pratishta at Sabarimala. 

It was TDB which dis-allowed this idol for Puna Pratishta at Sabarimala due to some strange reason, though the Guruswamis of the time were for it.

Subsequently another vigraham by Thattavila Neelakanta Panicker and Ayyappa Panicker were commissioned and the Pratishta was undertaken. 

I think Swami Vimochanananda a.k.a. Krishnan Nair of Trivandrum was instrumental in this idol being consecrated at KASHI.

Information shared by Guruswami Rammohan Bala and Photo courtesy: Balki Guruswami

 

Parakotti Pattu at Malikapuram Temple

Parakotti Pattu at Malikapuram Temple

The legends say that after Palazhi Madhanam, Sani Dosham befell Lord Maha Vishnu. In order to protect Lord Maha Vishnu, Lord Siva and Parvathi took on the roles of `Velan' and `Velathi' and sang the appropriate remedial verses.

Individuals are said to fall under the predominant influence of the Planet Saturn or Planet `Sani', during their zodiac cycles in Life Time. Sani Dosham is said to adversely influence many aspects of Individuals. A Pariharam is done during this phase to pacify Lord Sani. 

One of such rituals is called Parakotti Pattu which is conducted at Malikapuram Temple. 
Many Velans present at Malikapuram temple perform this rituals. They come from the localities of Aranmula, Vadasserikara etc. They sing the story of Kesadipadam as Sani Dosha Pariharam.  To alleviate the Influence of Sani these`Velans' drum and chant 'Kesadipadam'. 

Even to get ride of Naga Dosham, Naga Pattu is performed in front of Naga Raja at Malikapuram Temple. 

Harivarasanam

Harivarasanam

The late V Gopala Menon of Alapuzha was one who started singing Harivarasanam at night before Vadakkedath Eswaran Namboodiri's and during his tenure as Melshanti. Menon who worked in the plantations nearby lost his job and instead of going home stayed back at Sabarimala. 

After the TDB was formed, under Mannathu Padmanabhan's leadership as President, the idol desecration incident took place.
Immediately Menon was asked to leave Sannidhanam. The poor man Gopala menon passed away in Mount estate.

After the present idol was installed by Kantararu Sankararu, Eshwaran Namboodiri continued as Melshanti. Then it was Swami Vimochanananda 
who started the custom of chanting Harivarasanam in the morning when the Thirunada was opened and at night. Later the morning chant was discontinued and the night chanting after Athazha pooja continued.

I also heard a story that Kulatthu srinivasa iyer also use to stay in Sannidhanam and he want an slogam to be recited while closing of Sannidhanam. But he could not find words to start and next day when temple opened Harivarasanam word was given by Kulathu Iyer in trance.

Kulathu Iyer was sad that other temples had suprabhatams and other songs of praise while Sabarivasan had none. Then one day possibly in a trance he could hear clearly echoing from the forest a the eight ashtakas that constitute the Harivarasanam. 
Immediately those near him took it down word by word. That those who took it down were the pious Menon and the Melshanti. 

Later Eswaran namboodri and Gopala menon told the details to Kulatthu Iyer. Then Harivarasanam was composed by Kulathu Srinivasa iyer.

After Gopala menon was out from Sannidhanam they were reciting in morning. In 1955 they started reciting in night again. How great and pious they were the three of them. 

Old timers used to say that Harivarasanam was not the work of Kulathu Iyer, but of Swami Ayyappan Himself to redress the grievance of His bhakta that no songs of praise existed. 

Harivarasanam is the Sitting Posture of Lord at Sabarimala. 

This Conversation between Guruswami Kalyanasundaram Ramachandaran & Guruswami Rammohan Bala