BhaktiLoopLord Ayyappan Pushpabhishekam
Pushpabhishekam is a significant and visually captivating ritual dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, where the deity's idol or image is grandly adorned and bathed with a vast quantity of various fresh, fragrant flowers. The term 'Pushpa' means flowers, and 'Abhishekam' refers to the ritualistic bathing or offering. This ritual symbolizes purity, beauty, and the offering of one's best and most vibrant devotion to the Lord. It is often performed after other Abhishekams (like milk, water, or ghee) or as a standalone special offering, accompanied by the chanting of His divine names and mantras.
Purpose
To express profound devotion and reverence to Lord Ayyappan through floral offerings. It is performed to seek His divine blessings for peace, prosperity, protection from evil, removal of obstacles, fulfillment of righteous desires, and spiritual purification, especially for devotees who observe the Ayyappan vratham (austerities).
Key Rituals
- Purification (Shuddhikaranam):** The puja area is cleaned, and the devotee purifies themselves (Achamanam, Pranayama). Deepa Prajwalanam (lighting the lamp).
- Sankalpam:** The devotee (or priest on their behalf) formally states the purpose of the puja, their name, gotra, and the specific intention for performing the Pushpabhishekam.
- Dhyanam:** Meditating upon the form of Lord Ayyappan, invoking His presence.
- Arrangement of Flowers:** A wide variety of fresh, fragrant flowers (often in large quantities) are meticulously collected and arranged, ready for offering.
- Pushpa Samarpanam (Floral Offering):** The primary ritual involves offering flowers to Lord Ayyappan's idol while chanting His divine names. This is typically done by reciting the Lord Ayyappan Ashtottarashatanamaavali (108 names) or Sahasranamavali (1000 names), offering a flower or a handful of flowers with each name.
- Alankaram (Decoration):** After the offering, the deity is beautifully decorated with the offered flowers, often creating intricate floral patterns around and on the idol.
- Dhoopam & Deepam:** Offering incense (Dhoopam) and waving of oil lamps (Deepam) to the deity.
- Naivedyam:** Offering consecrated food items to Lord Ayyappan.
- Mangala Aarti:** Waving camphor flame (Mangala Aarti) to the deity, followed by circumambulation (Pradakshina) and prostration (Namaskaram).
- Prasadam Distribution:** The flowers used in the abhishekam, along with the consecrated food, are distributed to devotees as prasadam (blessings).
Common Offerings
- Flowers:** Fresh, fragrant flowers in large quantities, including Tulasi (Holy Basil), Lotus, Hibiscus, Marigold, Roses, Jasmine, Champaka, and any locally available seasonal flowers. Different colors are often used for visual appeal.
- Dhoopam:** Incense sticks (agarbatti) and traditional dhuni.
- Deepam:** Oil lamps (ghee or sesame oil) and camphor (Karpuram).
- Kumkum, Turmeric, Sandalwood Paste:** For adorning the deity.
- Naivedyam:** Traditional offerings for Lord Ayyappan include Appam, Aravana Payasam, Neer More (spiced buttermilk), Panakam (jaggery drink), Sarkarai Pongal (sweet rice), and coconut water/tender coconut.
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Sri Dharma Sasthre Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to the Lord of Dharma, Sri Sastha (Lord Ayyappan).
Benefits
Chanting this Moola Mantra brings protection, helps in adhering to the path of righteousness (Dharma), and removes obstacles on one's spiritual and worldly journey.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Bhoota Nathaya Vidmahe, Maha Devaya Dhimahi, Tanno Sastha Prachodayat.
Meaning
We know the Lord of all beings (Bhoota Natha), we meditate on the Great God, may Sastha (Ayyappan) enlighten us.
Benefits
This Ayyappan Gayatri Mantra enhances spiritual wisdom, grants divine guidance, and purifies the mind, leading to self-realization and inner peace.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Ayyappan Ashtottarashatanamaavali / Sahasranamavali
Meaning
A collection of 108 (Ashtottarashatanamaavali) or 1000 (Sahasranamavali) divine names describing the various attributes, glories, and forms of Lord Ayyappan.
Benefits
Chanting these names while offering flowers is considered highly meritorious. It deepens devotion, purifies the mind and soul, invokes immense blessings for health, wealth, prosperity, and helps in the fulfillment of all righteous desires.
Auspicious Days
- Mandalakaalam:** The 41-day pilgrimage season to Sabarimala (roughly mid-November to mid-January) is highly auspicious for all Ayyappan pujas, including Pushpabhishekam.
- Makara Sankranti (Makara Vilakku):** The day of the Makara Jyothi darshan at Sabarimala, usually around January 14th/15th, is extremely sacred.
- Vishu:** The Malayalam New Year (mid-April) is also considered auspicious.
- Saturdays:** Lord Ayyappan is associated with Shani (Saturn), and Saturdays are considered very propitious for His worship.
- Uthram Nakshatram:** Lord Ayyappan's birth star (though sometimes cited as Uttarashada, Uthram is also considered auspicious for Him, especially during Panguni Uthram in Tamil tradition).
Any auspicious day or Ekadashi (11th lunar day) as per the Hindu calendar, or when a devotee wishes to offer special prayers.
Regional Variations
Pushpabhishekam for Lord Ayyappan is primarily observed in South Indian states, especially Kerala (where Sabarimala is located), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. While the core ritual of offering flowers remains consistent, minor variations may exist in the specific types of flowers emphasized (e.g., preference for certain local blooms), the sequence of supplementary rituals, the specific Naivedyam items, or the melodic rendering of mantras, largely influenced by local temple traditions (e.g., Sabarimala's unique practices) and regional customs. The scale of the abhishekam, particularly the quantity and variety of flowers, can also vary significantly between temples and individual household pujas.
Related Pujas
- Neyyabhishekam:** The most important and primary abhishekam for Lord Ayyappan, involving offering ghee (clarified butter) to the deity.
- Padi Puja:** A special puja performed to the sacred 18 steps (Pathinettampadi) at Sabarimala.
- Ashtabhishekam:** A general term for an abhishekam performed with eight types of sacred substances (e.g., water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, coconut water, sandalwood paste).
- Laksharchana:** Chanting a lakh (100,000) names of the deity, often accompanied by offerings.
- Ganapathi Homam:** Usually performed at the beginning of any major puja to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha for the successful completion of the ritual.
- Bhagavati Seva:** A puja dedicated to Malikapurath Amma (Goddess Devi), who is closely associated with Lord Ayyappan at Sabarimala.