Story of Lord Ayyappa Swamy's Birth

There is an interesting story behind the birth of Lord Ayyappa (or how Ayyappan was Born) – the God of Sabarimala Hill Temple in Kerala. The legendary story says that after Goddess Durga killed the demon king Mahishasur, his sister Mahishi set to take revenge on her brother’s death. She earned Lord Brahma’s boon that only a child born out of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu could kill her or in other words it meant she was indestructible. Hence Vishnu incarnated as a beautiful women named Mohini and wed Lord Shiva and out of their union Swamy Ayyappa was born.

Story of Bhasmasura or Bhasmasur

Legends also say that Bhasmasura who pleased Lord Shiva earned the boon that he could burn anything into ashes on which he placed his hand over. The moment he earned this boon he ran behind Lord Shiva threatening him to turn to ashes. Then Mahadeva called Mahavishnu for help and hid himself behind a peepal tree. Lord Vishnu, knowing about the situation decided to help Shiva by taking the female form of ‘Mohini’, “the enchanting”. When Bhasmasura show Vishnu in this form he was bewitched by his beauty and tried to catch her. Vishnu instructed Bhasmasura to hold his hand over his head and thus Bhasmasura was reduced to ashes. Hearing the whole story Lord Shiva expressed his desire to see Vishnu in female form. When Vishnu appeared thus, Shiva overcame with passion and united with her. From this union, Lord Ayyappa was born and he combined himself the powers of Vishnu and Shiva.