Ayyappan Vilakku Mandir !

This posting I prepared in last December some how I missed to post.

This photograph is of the Ayyappan Vilakku temple.

The temples are miniature replicas Shabari Mala temple made of 'Trunk of Banana tree' and tender co-conut leaves. Nothing else. It is a marvelous piece indeed. Look at the PathinettamPadi ( Eighteen steps that leads to Sanctum sanctorum. ) How beautiful they do this.. After several years I had an opportunity to see an Ayyappan Vilakku at my native place and I understood it has developed leaps and bounds! The photograph is from that.

Now read on..

Ayyappan Vilakku is a small ritual or festival conducted during the Mandala Kaalam ( 41 days in November-December of every year ). It is related to diety ( Lord Ayyappan) in Shabari Mala. The ceremony or vilakku ( literally Vilakku means Lamp) is celebrated in different proportions. Meaning there are Full Vilakku - which goes on to 2 days to ¼ Vilakku which end in half a day. These Vilakks are popular in Malabar. Wherever people from Malabar ( northern Keralites) reside they try to celebrate this Vilakku there So you may see a Vilakku in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore etc. – This is funny because Ayyappa temple is in south of Kerala and you do not see anything like this there. The reason may be that in olden days it was not possible for every one from Malabar to go ShabariMala. So they must have celebrated in their own way. The artists - all come from Palghat district. That is also strange.

The ceremony includes creation of three temple replica ( Main temple , Bhagavathy temple and Vavar temple ( a Mosque – Vavar considered to be brother Ayyappa and is a Muslim! Son of Lord Shiva !!!) North Indians would laugh at this concoction of mythology and history. However generally secular Hindus of Kerala do not have any qualm in going around a Mosque or putting some money in a Mosque!. Sarvam Khalidam Bhrahmam! ( Everything is HIM !)

Coming back to Vilakku.. There are 3 dancers ( Oracles) for the ceremony – Ayyappa himself in Black Shawl ( Uttareeyam) attire, Bhagavathy in Red and Vavar of course in Green Shawl (or sometimes white). Several drummers!.The steps are very unique and each hold a sword of different kind that suits the character. The swift movement of sword along with the drum beat and Thiri uzhichil ( typical dance with a fire torch to torture the body) are worth seeing. Late night there will be song with Thudikottu (typical shiva drum ( thudi ) is used for this ). And the songs are about the Ayyappa’s history – but these songs are also knows as Poli ppaattu – ( Poli here means donation and Pattu means song - so it is Donation song ! )

Polippattu is really funny as it is instantly crafted by the singer. They look at the person who donates and create a line that is suitable for him or her. It is a continuous process intermingled with the song of the history.. They never stop singing .. So people are very attentive because they want to hear what the singer makes out about a person. Suppose a person with slight cock-eye donates – then they will sing that “ even if your eye is a little bit bend on one side God will bless you if you donate !” The joke is that some people will think that they are perfect and have no visible deformity or characteristic to note But the singer identifies his specialty and will sing to the much amazement of public and the person himself. For example if he is a youth the Singer would have already noticed him looking at a girl or two. So the song will be about that ‘Manokaamana’ ( whats in his mind ) may come true with the blessing of God provided he donates ! The program ends with fireworks! Because it is in Kerala and If you can add as many elephants for this that much grand it can be! J