I wish all my readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Everyone knows that Swami Ayyappan is a bachelor. But the puranas also say that during one of his avatars he married. Proof of this celestial wedding can be seen at a place called Ariankavu in Kerala.
The lord in this shrine sits with his consort on an elephant. According to legend his wives are Poorna and Pushkala. Pushkala is said to belong to the Sourashtrian community.
The Sourashtrian community is well known for silk weaving and were supplying silk to the Maharaja of Travancore.
Once upon a time a silk merchant was on his way from Madurai to Travancore to show his silks to the King. His daughter Pushkala too accompanied him. They reached Ariankavu at nightfall and decided to stay at the temple that night.
The next morning when the merchant was ready to leave, his daughter said that she wished to stay on at the temple till he returned from Travancore, because she wanted to worship the Lord for some more time.
Though the merchant was surprised at this request, he spoke to the priest and left his daughter under his care.
He left for Travancore and on the way he had to pass through a jungle. All of a sudden he was attacked by an elephant who was running amok. He prayed to Lord Ayyappan to save him and miraculously there arrived a very young hunter who sent the elephant away with a flick of his fingers.
The merchant was overjoyed and presented the hunter with one of his finest silks. The hunter wore it immediately and asked the merchant how he looked.
The merchant said that the hunter looked like a bridegroom. He then asked the hunter “Tell me what else do you want?”
“I would love to marry your daughter,” said the hunter.
The merchant was surprised to know that the hunter knew that he had a daughter. But he agreed to give his daughter in marriage to the boy.
The boy said that he would meet the merchant at the Ariankavu temple the next day.
After doing business with the king, the merchant reached the temple at Ariankavu. But his daughter was not to be found. The merchant searched everywhere but could not find her. Meanwhile, the lord appeared in the dream of the priest and said that he had taken away Pushkala pleased with her devotion.
The king also arrived at the shrine at the moment and the priest opened the door to the shrine. The merchant was surprised to find the deity wearing the silk he had presented the hunter the previous day.
It is said that for the past 200 years, during the month of Margazhi, the temple celebrates the wedding of Manikandan.
Hmm … romantic, is it? Was there a romance with Poorna too? Do you know that story?
I don’t know the story of Poorna.
I was just going to ask what Sra did.:)
I didn’t know about Ayyappan being married. Any idea where Ariankavu is located?
A very happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year to you.
Ariankavu is close to Sabarimala. Other than that I couldn’t find more details.
After some time I am visiting and loving each one of your enchanting stories…keep posting Sri!!
Have a blessed year ahead!
Very beautiful story. I did not know Ayyappan was married.
Lovely story. Happy New Year, have a wonderful 2009
Pushkal was not married .
Date fixed for marriage .and every arrangement had been done .
lord Ayyappa is still bachelor .She wants to marry Ayyappa .But Ayyappa didnot want to disappoint her .
So aske priest to arrange everything for a purticular date .
Everything arranged ,but that time the girl got period ,so that she could not come to temple to get married . so they descide to postpond the marriage to mext year same day .
So every year it repeats .
Well the story doesn’t say Pushkala was married. Yours could be one version. For all tales on God there are many versions. I take the ones which I happen to read.