Short Introduction of Swamy Ayyappa Charitham

This is a Malayalam language dance drama conceptualized by Kalayogi Guruji Prasanna Kasthuri. Vasudevan creates the Malayalam script from Kuwait. Music is composed by Tirumale Srinivasan. This dance drama has 15 scenes that play through the mythological and contemporary stories of Swamy Ayyappa. It starts with a scene, where the destruction of the universe is happening from evil Mahishi. Followed by the Birth of Ayyappa from the holy bonding of Vishnu through Mohini and Shiva. The entire story opens as scenes roll by. Please come and watch this beautiful dance drama.

Synopsis

Once upon a time, the demon Mahishasura, emboldened by a boon from Lord Brahma unleashed havoc. Terrorized communities fled, leaving their lands in chaos. The devas (celestial beings) sought the help of Goddess Durga, who vanquished Mahishasura in a fierce battle. Seeking vengeance, Mahishasura’s sister Mahishi obtained a boon from Brahma that only the offspring of Lord Shiva (Haran) and Lord Vishnu (Hari) could defeat her. She later attacked Devaloka (Heaven), tormenting the devas, who turned to Lord Vishnu for assistance. Vishnu, assuming the form of Mohini, united with Lord Shiva to fulfill this divine requirement. Their child was destined to be placed in a forest in Pandalam.

Rajashekara, King of Pandalam the foster father of Lord Ayyappa, belonged to this lineage. King Rajashekara was just and highly revered by his people. One day, while hunting near the Pampa River, King Rajashekara heard the cries of an infant. Following the sound, he found a baby adorned with a golden chain, King named him Manikandan (“one with a golden neck”).

Manikandan grew into a brilliant and virtuous boy, excelling in martial arts and scriptures. His guru, recognizing his divine nature, sought a boon to cure his blind and mute son. Manikandan granted the wish but requested that the miracle be kept secret. Meanwhile, the queen gave birth to another son, Raja Rajan. Rajashekara wished to crown Manikandan as his successor, angering the Minister, who harbored ambitions of becoming king.

The minister conspired with the queen, persuading her to fake an illness and claim she could only be cured by tigress’ milk. Despite his young age, Manikandan volunteered to fetch the milk. Reluctantly, the king allowed him to undertake the perilous journey.

In the forest, Manikandan confronted the demoness Mahishi, ultimately defeating her in a fierce battle. Her death liberated her soul, and she was granted moksha (liberation). Continuing his quest, Manikandan returned to the palace riding a tiger, followed by tigresses and devas in disguise.

Revealing his divine identity, Manikandan forgave the conspirators, explaining that all events had unfolded according to divine will. He declined the throne and instead requested a temple be built at Sabarimala, the site where his arrow landed. The king, guided by Saint Agasthya, constructed the temple and the sacred eighteen steps leading to it. The idol of Lord Ayyappa was installed by Parasurama on Makara Sankranti.

Today, millions of devotees undertake the rigorous 41-day penance and pilgrimage to Sabarimala, irrespective of caste or creed. They carry the irumudi (sacred offerings), chant "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa," and ascend the eighteen sacred steps to glimpse the deity, Lord Ayyappa, the Dharmasastha.