The Maalikappuram Temple, located at the right side of Sabarimala main temple is dedicated to Malikappurathamma, the Devi who was dedicated to Ayyappa and wished to marry him. One of the stories about Malikappurathamma is related with the Kalari School, Cheerappanchira .The Pandalam Raja admitted Ayyappa in this school to study Martial arts (Kalari) from the Guru, Kalari Panicker. Leela, his daughter fell in love with the Prince. But being a Brahmachari, Ayyappa couldn’t accept her passion. But he gave her a word that, he will marry her certainly, if there is no Kanni Ayyappas at Sabarimala.
Another story related to Malikappurathamma goes like this: After Mahishi was killed, a beautiful lady appeared from the body of Mahishi. She requested Ayyappa to marry her and accept her as his soul mate. But due to his mission and the state as a Yogi, Ayyappa refused it. But due to the incessant beseech of the girl, the Lord gave her the word that he will definitely marry her at that time when there will be no Kanni Ayyappas in his abode at Sabarimala.
It is said that the Malikappurathamma is Madhura Meenakshi, the Kula Paradevatha of Pandalam Royal Family which has conections with Pandya Dynasty.
The main rituals at Maalikappuram temple are Pattudayada, Pottu, Chandu, Kanmashi, Vala and Bhagavati Seva. Rolling of coconuts (thengai urutt) is another major ritual which is performed in this temple. The sub deities in this temple are Nagaraja, Navagrahas, and KochuKadathuSwami. Malikappurathamma is taken from MalikapuramTemple to Saramkuthi in a pageant every year. This procession is adorned with traditional music including pandy melam. The same procession will return to Malikappuram in a silent manner which symbolizes the grief of Devi who sees thousands of arrows at Saramkuthy. This is a symbolic ritual to know whether any Kanni Ayyappas have visited to Sabarimala. After seeing thousands of arrows at Saramkuthi, the Devi sadly returns to her shrine and will wait till next season commence. The Manimandapam, where Ayyappa meditated to become the Moorthy is also situated here.
There was only a Peeda Prathishta (holy seat) at Malikappuram till the fire disaster in Sabarimala. The idol of Malikappurathamma was installed by Brahmasree Kandararu Maheswararu Thanthri. The Devi at Malikappuram holds a Sankh, Chakram and Varada Abhya Mudras. Now the idol is covered with a gold Golaka. The temple also was reconstructed in the last decade and now the conical roof and sopanam is covered with gold.
S. Rameshan Nair, the veteran lyric writer and poet in Malayalam, describes about Malikappurathamma in a devotional musical album Ayyan like this
Maalikappurame maamalathaye madhura viraham maanjuvo
Nenchile theeyum Ambika neeyum nerairaathe thengiyo
Malayil aalozhiyunnu manjalil varika ne vadhu eanna pol
Aaayiram sharamunakal ealkkumoraalmaram thalarunnu pol
Dharmapalakan Ayyane pala janmamayi ninachu nee
Karmasakhsiye saakshi aakki orammayakan nootu nee
Mohamokke udanja mankudamayatengane Ambike
Poy varum vazhi neele mullukal aanuninte padanthike
Kaalanijoru noopuram puzhayaayatho vana geethike
Kanduninnna Maharshimar Maramayatho Shruthisharikee
Nin mukhathinu manjalayathu mannil veenu kalarnnu poy
Karal niranja vishadamayathurundu naalikeramaay
Kaatilo neduveerppilo kanaletta karppurambike
Ninte viraha sugandhamaalukal nenjiletti maranjupoy
Nooru vedanathigiyaloru mookamaadhuri aayidaam
Devathe oru sanmuhoortham nale nale ananjidam
Oh! The divine mother of the mighty mountains, Malikappurathamma, has the sweet parting state of you have now changed …? You along with the fire in heart wept at this time without knowing the fact….? See the last one who came to see Lord has gone from the mountain and the place is vacant. You can now come in the attires of bride. But look at the great banyan tree there. It has become exhausted bearing thousands of arrows….! For many janmas you have been thinking of Lord: the protector of Dharma. You made vratas to become the mother of mountains. But how your desires were broken as a mud pot? Your path is now full of thorns also. Is that your ornaments that worn in foot that became the river? Seeing all these, the Rishis stood immovable like gigantic trees!!!The soil here gets mixed with the turmeric that oozed from your face. The sorrow in your heart gets transformed into coconut that rolled here. In the breeze and on your breaths, a hot fire ball gets impacted .The devotees perceived your story of parting as a sweet smell and gone from the hills. Is it true that a hundreds of pain will aggregate into a silent lovable voice! O,Devi a good moment will certainly approach tomorrow as YOU hopes ……….!
The Devi still has faith in Lord that one day he will receive her as his soul mate. Ayyappa never told her that he won’t accept her love and devotion for him. He said the day when there will be no Kanni Ayyappas in the hills, he will receive Devi. This is an unique example of faith and word. Devi is not at all disappointed. She is the mother of the hills, who protect each and every devotee, whether he is the first man or Guruswamy (the man who had visited Sabari mala for 18 times (Mandalam).Every time Devi comes to the Saramkuthi to clarify the fact .But she will return seeing the arrows, which is the unique symbol of Kanni Ayyappas ( the first time visitors).
Maalikappuram Devi: Dimensions of the eternal Motherhood
The word mother denotes the universal consciousness (sanctity) (Prapanja Chaitanaym). The God and the divine universe (Prakirti) together forms the true vision of this entire universe Those who visit Maalikappuram temple , can see a Thirshoolam at the temple. The three segments of Thirshoolam symbolize Ichashakthi ( the Strength for desire) ,Njanashakhti(Strength of Knowledge) and Karmashakthi(Strength of duty).Ichashakthi is that sort of power that make one to think to go well. It includes the desire for good; victory etc.The second is Njaanashakti, which is none other than the power of knowledge. Knowledge itself is power as it forms the base of all activities. So one should get the power of knowledge within him.Becasue the knowledge aspect is quite essential to do any form of duties. The third segment is Karmashakthi, which is the power to do the duties (Pravrithipadam). The Thirshoolam at Maalikappuram temple represent the above mentioned three specifications.
Everyone who comes to Maalikappuram temple must try to understand the science behind this Thirshoolam than merely paying a bow to it. The person who conceives these facts can go ahead without facing any barriers .We also can see a lighted lamp in the temple. It’s the light of knowledge that is meant to enlighten our life. Malikappurathamma is giving this ultimate knowledge to us. Ayyappa had given the place of Mother to Devi. That’s why she is called Malikappurathamma . It means she is the mother who teaches the meaning of the pilgrimage to her children , who comes there as devotees to see the Lord Ayyppa.And After conceiving this knowledge form mother , when they bow to the lord at holy sanctum , they will be aware of the ultimate fact that “ It’s You” (Tatwamasi). Malikappurathamma through her ultimate faith and devotion to Swamy teachers every devotee that the faith and hope are the true determinants of extreme Bhakti.The God certainly not is the ‘the boon giver’ on demand, which is now a pseudo synonym for the Praying. The God doesn’t give whatever the person demands, request or even plead without true faith in the supreme power. A devotee who is going to Sabarimala shouldn’t envisage the power of demand even if he has successfully completed each and every tedious vratas and rituals. But he definitely should have the power of trust, truth and hope. Some person thinks that as he has undergone all the rituals which are the prerequisites for Sabarimala pilgrimage, he is now well set to ask what he wants and the Lord will certainly do the rest .But without faith and hope, all the rituals are of no value. The value of Bhakthi is reflected in owns own faith and hope. Malikappurathamma teaches this lesson to every devotee who wishes to go to see Lord Ayyappa. Even after a long attempts, neither she become diffident of the act nor she lost the confidence and hope in her desire. Devi hopes that a day will come surely on which Lord Ayyappa will accept her as his wife.
Devi adorns a very important place as the mother goddess of the mighty Sabari Hills, in which Lord Ayyappa dwells with his extreme power. Malikappurathamma herself shows truthful and powerful devotion to Ayyappa. She in turn acts as a catalyst, who cannot be ignored at any moment of Mountain journey. She is the idol of complete passion, devotion, faith, hope and of course the power of patience at the ultimate point. Malikappurathamma is also called Manchambika and Mancha mathavu. Mancham means seat or throne and it is the Panchabramasana of Lalitha Devi. From this aspect it is revealed that Malikappurathamma is a form of Lalitha Thripurasundari.
