Introducing our beautiful Ayyappa painting. As the son of Vishnu (Hari) in the form of Mohini, and Shiva (Hara), he is known as Harihara Putra. He is worshipped throughout India, but mainly in the southern state of Kerala. Ayyappa is also known as Shastha. Here is the divine story of the lord: After Durga Devi defeated Mahishasura, the demon's sister Mahishi vowed to exact revenge. To stop her, Lord Shiva and Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, came together and created a divine child, gifted with the powers to defeat Mahishi. After tying a gold chain with a small bell around his neck, they sent the divine child to earth. One day, King Rajashekhara was visiting a forest, when he found the abandoned infant.
Seeing as the King and his consort were childless, Rajashekhara took the divine child to a sage, who advised him to adopt him. The child was named Manikanthan, after the bell (mani) which was tied around his neck (kantha). Soon after, the Queen gave birth to another son of her own - and thus started to alienate Manikanthan. While her husband wanted Manikanthan to succeed him, the Queen wanted her biological son to be the heir to the throne. In an attempt to get rid of Manikanthan, she feigned a fatal illness which could apparently only be cured by the milk of a tigress. Confident that the ruthless tigers would kill the mere 12 year old child, she sent her adoptive son to find a tigress. Little did she know that Manikanthan was no mere child. A loving and righteous son, he at once set off to the forest.
However, he was quickly ambushed by the demoness Mahishi. With his divine powers, he was able to defeat the demoness, thus fulfilling his main purpose on earth. After seeing the immense strength and divinity of Manikantha, a streak of tigers and tigresses accepted him as their leader. The lord, mounted on a tiger, comfortably rode back to the palace, accompanied by the rest of the streak. Rajashekhara finally realised who his divine son was, and on the lord's instructions, built a temple at the top of Shabari Malai. There are 18 steps leading up to the temple.
This picture captures the features of Lord ayyappa beautifully. Made with utmost care and bhakti, this ayyappa painting is an excellent addition to your home decor or pooja space.
