BhaktiLoopLord Ayyappan Ganapathi Homam
This powerful Vedic ritual combines the essential Ganapathi Homam for obstacle removal, followed by a dedicated Ayyappan Homam. It is performed to invoke the divine grace of Lord Ganesha to ensure the smooth conduct and success of the ritual, and then to propitiate Lord Ayyappan, the epitome of Dharma, courage, and spiritual discipline. Devotees perform this homam for spiritual upliftment, protection from negative influences, material prosperity, health, and to express devotion to Lord Ayyappan.
Purpose
To seek the combined blessings of Lord Ganesha for obstacle removal and Lord Ayyappan for spiritual growth, protection, fulfillment of desires, general well-being, success in endeavors, and safe completion of vows or pilgrimages (especially to Sabarimala).
Key Rituals
- Purvangam (Preparatory Rituals):**
- Achamanam, Sankalpam (Self-purification, declaration of intent, specific purpose of the homam)
- Guru Vandanam (Invoking blessings from the spiritual teacher)
- Deepa Pranamam (Worship of the lamp)
- Vigneshwara Puja (Initial prayers to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles for the ritual itself)
- Ganapathi Homam (Part 1 - Obstacle Removal):**
- Agni Pratishta (Invoking the fire deity in the Homa Kunda)
- Dhyanam (Meditation on Lord Ganesha)
- Ganapathi Moola Mantra Japa (Chanting of Ganesha's root mantra)
- Aahutis (Offerings of ghee, modak, samith, lajja, etc., into the fire with Ganesha mantras)
- Purnahuti (Final main offering to Ganesha)
- Ayyappan Homam (Part 2 - Main Deity Worship):**
- Punyahavachanam (Purification of the space and materials)
- Kalasha Sthapanam and Avahanam (Installation of a sacred pot and invocation of Lord Ayyappan)
- Dhyanam (Meditation on Lord Ayyappan)
- Ayyappan Moola Mantra Japa (Chanting of Ayyappan's root mantra)
- Aahutis (Offerings of ghee, payasam, appam, aravana, malar, jaggery, dried coconut, samith etc., into the fire with Ayyappan mantras, often including Ayyappan Ashtottara Shatanamavali or 'Swami Saranam Ayyappa' chants)
- Purnahuti (Final main offering to Lord Ayyappan)
- Neivedyam (Offering of consecrated food items)
- Uttarangam (Concluding Rituals):**
- Maha Mangala Aarti (Waving of lamps and camphor)
- Mantra Pushpam (Offering flowers with Vedic chants)
- Pradakshina (Circumambulation of the Homa Kunda)
- Ashirvadam (Receiving blessings from the priest)
- Teertha Prasadam Distribution (Distribution of holy water and consecrated offerings)
Common Offerings
- For Ganapathi Homam:** Modak (Kozhukattai), Ladoo, Durva grass, Ghee (clarified butter), Samith (holy sticks like Palasha, Vilvam, Amla), Coconuts, Jaggery, Puffed rice (Lajja), Bananas, Honey.
- For Ayyappan Homam:** Ghee (pure cow ghee, particularly important), Payasam (sweet rice porridge), Appam (sweet fried bread), Aravana (sweet rice paste), Malar (puffed paddy), Aval (flattened rice), Jaggery, Coconuts (especially dried), Honey, Kadali Pazham (small ripe bananas), Betel leaves and nuts, Flowers (especially Tulasi, Arali, Chembarathi), Samith (Vilvam, Palaash, Neem).
- General Offerings:** Panchamrutam (mixture of 5 nectars), Various fruits, Milk, Sandalwood paste, Turmeric powder, Kumkum (vermilion), Incense sticks (agarbatti), Camphor, Cotton wicks for lamps, Ghee/Oil for lamps.
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Ganesha, who is the remover of all obstacles.
Benefits
Removes hindrances, grants wisdom, success, and ensures the smooth completion of all endeavors.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Sri Dharma Shasta Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Meaning
Om, Salutations to Lord Dharma Shasta, I surrender to Lord Ayyappa.
Benefits
Provides protection, instills courage, fosters spiritual growth, and helps in the fulfillment of righteous desires, especially for devotees embarking on the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Bhuthanathaya Vidmahe, Mahadevaya Dheemahi, Tanno Sastha Prachodayat.
Meaning
Om, Let us meditate on the Lord of all beings (Bhuthanatha), the Great God (Mahadeva). May Lord Sastha (Ayyappan) illuminate our intellect.
Benefits
Bestows spiritual clarity, divine wisdom, protection from negative forces, and guides the devotee on the path of Dharma.
Auspicious Days
- Saturdays:** Considered highly auspicious for Lord Ayyappan worship.
- First Saturday of Malayalam month Vrishchikam:** Marks the beginning of the Mandala-Kalam (Ayyappan pilgrimage season, typically mid-November to mid-December).
- Makara Sankranti (Mid-January):** The day of the Makara Jyothi at Sabarimala.
- Uthram Nakshatra:** Ayyappan's birth star (though some traditions also consider Pooram).
- Ekadashi and Pournami (Full Moon) Tithis:** Generally auspicious for homams and spiritual endeavors.
- Other Auspicious Muhurthas:** As determined by a qualified astrologer or priest for specific purposes (e.g., before commencing a new venture, housewarming).
Regional Variations
This homam is predominantly observed in South India, especially in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, where Ayyappan devotion is strong. The specific variations might include the exact sequence of mantras, the types of samith (holy sticks) used, and the emphasis on certain offerings (e.g., Ayyappan's Kerala-specific offerings like Appam, Aravana, and Payasam are central). The scale of the homam can also vary from a simple domestic ritual to a grand temple ceremony.
Related Pujas
- Ganapathi Homam:** As a standalone ritual for removing obstacles.
- Ayyappan Puja/Abhishekam:** Regular worship and ritual bathing of Lord Ayyappan's idol.
- Mandala-Kalam Vratam:** The 41-day penance observed by Ayyappan devotees, often culminating in or including such homams.
- Bhagavathi Seva:** A ritual often performed in Kerala, sometimes alongside Ayyappan worship, for prosperity and protection.
- Maha Mrityunjaya Homam:** Sometimes performed for health and longevity, complements Ayyappan's protective aspects.