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Vavar, was a Muslim saint.There is a shrine dedicated to Vavaraswami at Sabarimala, as well as Varaswamis mosque at Ezhumeli next to an Ayyappa temple. The devotion of Vavaraswami to Ayyappan and the key role that the Islamic Masjid has in the Ayyappa Pilgrimage, highlights the communal harmony in Kerala.
The devotion of Vavaraswami also highlights the relevance of Ayyappa devotion for members of all faiths, and the equality shown to all, whether they are Muslims, Hindus or Christians.
Legend behind the Mosque.......
There are many legends about Vavar and his association with Ayyappa. Some believe that Vavarswami was a Muslim saint who migrated from Arabia to India with the intention of spreading Islam. Others suggest that he was a warrior who reached the shore of Kerala as a pirate in a ship to loot and plunder. During his encounter with Lord Ayyappa, he was defeated and subdued by the Lord. Since then Vavar became a close associate of Lord Ayyappa and helped him in the wars in the mountainous region.
The old sword on the wall of the Vavar shrine symbolises the eminence of Vavar as a great warrior. It is believed that the Lord Ayyappa himself instructed the King of Pandala Desam to build a mosque for Vavar at Erumeliin Kottayam District and a shrine at Sabarimala.
En route the pilgrimage to Sabarimala during the makaravilakku season almost all of the Ayyappa devotees will come to Erumely and perform the ritual. Pettathullal (Ritual Dance) starts from the small temple situated at the heart of Erumely town known as 'Kochambalam". From there the dance procession advance to the Muslim mosque called 'Vavar palli' opposite to Kochambalam and the devotees worship 'Vavarswamy'.
Finally the procession ends up at Dharmasastha temple known as 'Valliyambalam.'
Shrine
There is a shrine dedicated to Vavaraswami in Sabarimala next to the main temple. As per Islamic teachings there is no idol, but just a carved stone slab symbolises the deity of Vavarswami. A green coloured silk cloth is hung across one of the three walls. The fourth side is open. An old sword is also kept near the wall. The main offering to Vavarswami is black pepper. .
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Another Source......
Another prominent deity near `Pathinettam Padi' (eighteen steps) is `Vavarswami'. The deity of Vavar is believed to be as old as the deity of Ayyappa. The estimated time of the most recent major remodeling of the temple happened during the year A. D. 1905. There is no distinguishable idol, but just a carved stone slab symbolises the deity of Vavarswami. A green coloured silk cloth is hung across one of the three walls. The fourth side is open. An old sword is also kept near the wall. The main offering to Vavarswami is green pepper. A Hundi (a donation box) is kept in front of this shrine, into which one can drop cash/coins etc. In addition to green pepper, rose water and sandalwood paste along with coconut and `ghee' (clarified butter) are also offered by the pilgrims. Some of the pilgrims bring goats to Vavarswami. This is mainly due to a belief that the pilgrims accompanied by goats could reach the Sannidhanam safely. The authorities auctions these goats later.
Some of the families at Vaipur near Thiruvalla in Alapuzha district claim to be the 14th or 15th line of descendants of Vavarswami. The descendants of Vavar are believed to be Vaidyas practicing the Unani(Greek) system of medicine. They were believed to be Brahmins who had later converted to Islam. However, there is another interesting story relating to Vavar. According to this reference, Vavar originally belonged to Pandya Desam near Madurai in Tamil Nadu (currently Chennai). The myth says that the Vavar family migrated to Travancore during an attack from Thirumalainaicken, a minister of the Pandya kingdom.
There are other legends too about Vavar and his association with Ayyappa. Some believe that Vavarswami was a Muslim saint who migrated from Arabia to India with the intention of spreading Islam. Others suggest that he was a warrior who reached the shore of Kerala as a pirate in a ship to loot and plunder. During his encounter with Lord Ayyappa, he was defeated and subdued by Lord Ayyappa. Since then Vavar became a close associate of Lord Ayyappa and helped him in the wars in the mountainous region. The old sword on the wall of the Vavar shrine symbolises the eminence of Vavar as a great warrior. It is believed that the Lord Ayyappa Himself instructed the King of Pandala Desam to build a mosque for Vavar at Erumeli and a shrine at Sabarimala.
The devotion of Vavaraswami also highlights the relevance of Ayyappa devotion for members of all faiths, and the equality shown to all, whether they are Muslims, Hindus or Christians.
Legend behind the Mosque.......
There are many legends about Vavar and his association with Ayyappa. Some believe that Vavarswami was a Muslim saint who migrated from Arabia to India with the intention of spreading Islam. Others suggest that he was a warrior who reached the shore of Kerala as a pirate in a ship to loot and plunder. During his encounter with Lord Ayyappa, he was defeated and subdued by the Lord. Since then Vavar became a close associate of Lord Ayyappa and helped him in the wars in the mountainous region.
The old sword on the wall of the Vavar shrine symbolises the eminence of Vavar as a great warrior. It is believed that the Lord Ayyappa himself instructed the King of Pandala Desam to build a mosque for Vavar at Erumeliin Kottayam District and a shrine at Sabarimala.
En route the pilgrimage to Sabarimala during the makaravilakku season almost all of the Ayyappa devotees will come to Erumely and perform the ritual. Pettathullal (Ritual Dance) starts from the small temple situated at the heart of Erumely town known as 'Kochambalam". From there the dance procession advance to the Muslim mosque called 'Vavar palli' opposite to Kochambalam and the devotees worship 'Vavarswamy'.
Finally the procession ends up at Dharmasastha temple known as 'Valliyambalam.'
Shrine
There is a shrine dedicated to Vavaraswami in Sabarimala next to the main temple. As per Islamic teachings there is no idol, but just a carved stone slab symbolises the deity of Vavarswami. A green coloured silk cloth is hung across one of the three walls. The fourth side is open. An old sword is also kept near the wall. The main offering to Vavarswami is black pepper. .
Another Source......
Another prominent deity near `Pathinettam Padi' (eighteen steps) is `Vavarswami'. The deity of Vavar is believed to be as old as the deity of Ayyappa. The estimated time of the most recent major remodeling of the temple happened during the year A. D. 1905. There is no distinguishable idol, but just a carved stone slab symbolises the deity of Vavarswami. A green coloured silk cloth is hung across one of the three walls. The fourth side is open. An old sword is also kept near the wall. The main offering to Vavarswami is green pepper. A Hundi (a donation box) is kept in front of this shrine, into which one can drop cash/coins etc. In addition to green pepper, rose water and sandalwood paste along with coconut and `ghee' (clarified butter) are also offered by the pilgrims. Some of the pilgrims bring goats to Vavarswami. This is mainly due to a belief that the pilgrims accompanied by goats could reach the Sannidhanam safely. The authorities auctions these goats later.
Some of the families at Vaipur near Thiruvalla in Alapuzha district claim to be the 14th or 15th line of descendants of Vavarswami. The descendants of Vavar are believed to be Vaidyas practicing the Unani(Greek) system of medicine. They were believed to be Brahmins who had later converted to Islam. However, there is another interesting story relating to Vavar. According to this reference, Vavar originally belonged to Pandya Desam near Madurai in Tamil Nadu (currently Chennai). The myth says that the Vavar family migrated to Travancore during an attack from Thirumalainaicken, a minister of the Pandya kingdom.
There are other legends too about Vavar and his association with Ayyappa. Some believe that Vavarswami was a Muslim saint who migrated from Arabia to India with the intention of spreading Islam. Others suggest that he was a warrior who reached the shore of Kerala as a pirate in a ship to loot and plunder. During his encounter with Lord Ayyappa, he was defeated and subdued by Lord Ayyappa. Since then Vavar became a close associate of Lord Ayyappa and helped him in the wars in the mountainous region. The old sword on the wall of the Vavar shrine symbolises the eminence of Vavar as a great warrior. It is believed that the Lord Ayyappa Himself instructed the King of Pandala Desam to build a mosque for Vavar at Erumeli and a shrine at Sabarimala.
