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Sri Maalikapurathu Amma
Maalikapurathu Amma is a reformed Mahishi. When Lord Ayyappa destroyed her evil
form, and freed her from all effects of the curse of a maharishi (holy man), she
assumed the form of a beautiful angel and requested Him to marry her. Lord
Ayyappa granted her a boon that He will marry her only when no new devotees (
Kanni Ayyappa) come to Sabarimala and that she will have a separate place of
worship in His temple.
This Devi
is the Parashakthi, Buvaneshwari. Maalikapurathu Amma
occupies a very high position - Maalikapuram is the highest place in a
building. From this high place, She showers her devototees with
blessings. She has the powers of all the Devi embodiments of the Shaiva,
Vaishnava and Sakthaphilosophies. She does not have any special
form, yet she can be any possible form. She is represented as a 'Darapam
Bibmam' (Mirror) as is able to grant the wishes of anyone who worships
Her. The devotee can worship Her in any form they wish. She also has
special blessings for every Ayyappa devotee, especially the Kanni Ayyappa, even
though the presence of a Kanni Ayyapa is painful to her, since she cannot marry
Lord Ayyappa.
SLOKA/PRAYER
Dharma Shashtha Darmapathni
Padamichandi Ya Sada
Sa Thvam Thu Dada tha Damsa
Sasthru Bhakthim Samujwala
MEANING
You, who always desires to be the consort of Sri Dharma Shastha, please create in me the brilliant Ayyappa Bhakthi
MALIKAPURATHU AMMA
In Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Maalikapurathu Amma is installed behind Ayyappa shrine. The idol of Malikapurathu Amma is like a mirror. The deity is incarnated into the mirror and worshipped in her image. It is better and more pleasant to worship an image of a deity by imagining the form in the mind than directly worshipping the deity. In Kerala it is customary to depict Bhagavathi in the form of a mirror. The priest decorates it as a face on important days.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS AND FESTIVALS
Tuesdays are auspicious to Malikapurathu Amma. First Tuesday after Makara Sankaranthi is very important.
SPECIAL OFFERINGSSweet pudding, turmeric powder and blouse pieces are offered to Maalikapurathu Amma. It is customary to perform a special puja called "Kuruthi".
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