BhaktiLoopLord Ayyappan Padi Pooja
The Padi Pooja is a rare and highly sought-after ritual, primarily performed at the renowned Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple in Kerala, India. It involves the ritualistic worship and consecration of the 'Pathinettam Padi' (18 holy steps), which are considered sacred and represent 18 deities or virtues. Each step is meticulously cleaned, decorated, and worshipped with specific offerings and rituals. While its most authentic form is at Sabarimala, symbolic Padi Poojas are also conducted in Ayyappan temples or devotee homes outside Sabarimala, replicating the essence of the main ritual. It symbolizes crossing the hurdles of life to reach the divine.
Purpose
The Padi Pooja (Padi meaning steps) is a highly significant and elaborate ritual performed to invoke the blessings of Lord Ayyappan, specifically on the 18 holy steps (Pathinettam Padi) leading to the Sannidhanam (sanctum sanctorum) at Sabarimala. Its purposes include: - Seeking a safe and successful pilgrimage (Darshan) to Sabarimala. - Removing obstacles and difficulties in one's life. - Achieving spiritual enlightenment and purification. - Gaining prosperity, well-being, and fulfillment of desires. - Expressing profound reverence and gratitude to Lord Ayyappan and the sanctity of the steps themselves.
Key Rituals
Purification and Preparation: The 18 steps are thoroughly cleaned, washed, and sometimes adorned with garlands and traditional lamps (vilakku).
Installation of Deities: Representations or pictures of Lord Ayyappan and other associated deities like Ganapathy, Nagaraja, and Malikapurathamma are placed near the steps.
Deeparadhana (Lighting of Lamps): Traditional lamps, often made of brass or oil, are lit on each step, symbolizing knowledge and the divine presence.
Abhishekam: Each of the 18 steps, or symbolic representations, receives an elaborate 'Abhishekam' (ritualistic anointing) with 18 sacred items, including water, milk, ghee, honey, tender coconut water, sandalwood paste, turmeric paste, vibhooti (sacred ash), curd, sugarcane juice, lime juice, rose water, various oils, etc.
Pushpabhishekam (Flower Anointing): After the liquid ablutions, the steps are showered with various auspicious flowers.
Alankaram (Decoration): The steps are meticulously decorated with fresh flowers, garlands, silk cloths, and other sacred items.
Archana (Chanting of Names): The names of Lord Ayyappan and other deities are chanted, often with offering of flowers or kumkum to each step.
Nivedyam (Food Offerings): Traditional offerings like Aravana Payasam, Appam, Malar, Jaggery, and fruits are presented to the deity.
Bhajans and Chants: Devotional songs (Bhajans) in praise of Lord Ayyappan and chanting of 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' resonate throughout the puja.
Harivarasanam: At the conclusion, the chanting of 'Harivarasanam', the lullaby for Lord Ayyappan, often marks the end of the day's rituals (especially if performed in a temple setting similar to Sabarimala).
Prasadam Distribution: The sacred offerings and blessed items are distributed among the devotees.
Common Offerings
Ghee (clarified butter)
Coconuts (especially Irrumudi Kettu for pilgrimage)
Flowers (Tulasi, Lotus, Kadali, Champak, Jasmine)
Incense sticks (Agarbatti) and Dhoop
Camphor (Karpura)
Sandalwood paste (Chandanam)
Turmeric powder (Manjal Podi)
Vibhooti (Sacred Ash)
Fruits (Banana, Coconut, Orange, Apple)
Jaggery (Sharkara)
Malar (puffed rice)
Appam (sweet rice pancake)
Aravana Payasam (sweet rice pudding cooked in jaggery)
Panippayar (sweet moong dal preparation)
Neeranjanam (oil lamp made from coconut halves)
Betel leaves and Areca nuts
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Sri Maha Sasthru Preethikare Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to the one who pleases the great Sastha (Ayyappan).
Benefits
Invokes the blessings of Lord Ayyappan for overall well-being, success, and removal of obstacles.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
Meaning
Oh Ayyappa, I surrender to you.
Benefits
This is the core chant of Ayyappan devotees, expressing complete devotion, seeking refuge, and purifying the mind. It is believed to grant courage and help overcome difficulties.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Bhoota Nathaya Vidmahe, Maha Devaya Dheemahi, Tanno Sastha Prachodayat.
Meaning
Om, let us meditate on the Lord of all beings, the great God. May Sastha enlighten us.
Benefits
This is the Ayyappan Gayathri Mantra, which is chanted for spiritual guidance, wisdom, enlightenment, and to invoke the divine presence of Lord Ayyappan.
Auspicious Days
Mandalam-Makaravilakku Season (mid-November to mid-January): This is the peak pilgrimage season for Sabarimala, and Padi Pooja is most frequently performed during this period.
First day of Malayalam months (Vishnu, Karkidaka Sankranti): These are generally considered auspicious for temple rituals.
Sabarimala Temple Festival Days: Specific festival days observed at the Sabarimala temple.
Any Thursday or Saturday: These days are considered auspicious for Lord Ayyappan.
Uthram Star: The birth star of Lord Ayyappan, observed on various dates throughout the year.
Regional Variations
The most authentic and elaborate Padi Pooja is performed at the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple itself, where the 18 steps are central to the pilgrimage. Outside Sabarimala, in various Ayyappan temples across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other regions, the Padi Pooja is performed symbolically. This might involve setting up a miniature representation of the 18 steps, or simply performing the Abhishekam and Archana rituals to the deity while mentally visualizing the steps. The scale of offerings and number of priests might vary.
Related Pujas
Neeranjanam: An oil lamp offering to Lord Ayyappan using coconut halves, often performed by pilgrims for good health and to ward off evil.
Abhishekam: General anointing rituals performed on deities, which forms a core part of Padi Pooja.
Pushpabhishekam: Flower showering ritual.
Ganapathy Homam: Fire ritual dedicated to Lord Ganesha, often performed before major pujas to remove obstacles.
Sastha Preethi: A community event involving special prayers, bhajans, and a feast, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan.
Kanakku Pooja: A specific form of offering a number of coconuts, often 18, to Lord Ayyappan.