Sasta alias Ayyappan is the lord of Saturn. By pleasing the lord one could
reduce the bad affects of Saturn. Offering Neerajanam to Lord Ayyappa on
Saturdays ward of Sade-sati dosa of Saturn.
Shiva succumbed to the beauty of Mohini and Ayyappan was born out of this
union. Hence the name Hari Hara Putra - Hari (Vishnu), Hara (Shiva), Putra
(son). Ayyappan is regarded as the third son of Shiva, the other two being
Ganesha and Muruga.

Mythology apart, the etymological significance of Hari Hara is one who, with
rays of knowledge (Haribhi), dispels the darkness of ignorance (Horanthi).
The name "Ayyappa", which stands for Universal Father, is a vernacular form
of the Sanskrit term Aryabha, which represents nobility and effulgence. Lord
Ayyappa is also addressed as Sree Dharma Sastha - the stern, strict,
upholder of righteousness, one who punishes the wicked and protects the
virtuous. He is also addressed as Kaliyuga Varadha - since legend has itthat
Lord Vishnu has blessed this most recent, or Kali, Yuga, with His
reincarnation - which can be conceptuallyassumed as a reinforcement of the
philosophy "God descends in order to help Man ascend".

Ayyappan was born on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi, when the star
Uttrarn was on the ascendence. His mortal life was to annihilate Mahishi
(buffalo faced asura). As directed by Ayyappan, a sanctum was built to
install an idol made of panchaloha (an alloy of five metals), climbing 18
steps to reach the
sanctum. These 18 steps to represent 5 indriyas, 8 ragas, 3 gunas, vidya and
avidya. Ayyappan also advised the king of the nature of the austerities to
be observed before the pilgrimage to this temple. On the day of consecration
and installation of the idol, amidst the sound of saranam chanting and
conches, pipes and drums, Ayyappan was transformed into a stroke of
lightning and got absorbed in the idol of Dharma Sasta. This was his
birthday, the auspicious day of Makara Sankrathi. The 3 austerities
prescribed for devotees are:

1). Austerity of body
Purity, uprightness, continence and non violence
2). Austerity of mind
Tranquility, gentleness, silence, self control and purity of thought
3). Austerity of speech
Speech that causes no annoyance to others, truthful, pleasant and beneficial
and recitation of scriptures.

Vegetarianism has been prescribed during the 41 days vritharn to help
achieve the above austerities. Brahmacharya (continence) will help convert
the physical energy to spiritual energy. Self surrender leads to self
realization. The self that surrenders is the ego and the self that realizes
is God. The carrying of irrurnudi on the head and chanting of
saranammantrain is a total surrender to God.

The spiritual discipline, prayers, and practice of a pure, spiritually
conscious lifestyle during these 41 days is mandatory for a devotee seeking
to ascend the sacred Pathinettu Padi that lead to the sanctum at Sabarimala.
Apart from the fact that this exercise prepares a devotee to get the darshan
of the Ultimate Ascetic (Sadh Gurunathan), the rigor espoused behind the
Vratham owes its origin also to the Eighteen Steps themselves. The first
five of the steps symbolize Man's five senses (Pancha Indriyas) viz. the
visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and gustatory senses. The next eight
steps symbolize the eight base emotions of Man (Ashta Gunas) --viz. love
(Kama), anger (Krodha), avarice (Lobha), lust (Moha), pride (Madha),
unhealthy competition (Matsarya), jealousy (Asooya), boastfulness (Dhumb).
The next three steps symbolize the nature-born qualities (TriGunas) endowed
in Man - viz. perspicuity and discernment (Satva), activity and enjoyment
(Rajas), and inactivity and stupor (Thamas). The final two steps symbolize
knowledge (Vidhya) and ignorance (Avidhya). The fundamental,
all-powerful,all-truthful symbolism is that the Man who ascends these sacred
Eighteen
Steps has gained control over all these metaphysical aspects of his being,
and ascended to a spiritual state to unite with his UltimateCreator (Tatwam
Asi).

In temples, the celebration of Makara Vilakku Pooja is conducted along the
tradition of Tantra, Mantra and Yantra rituals interwoven in its pooja
programs. Mantrayana tradition is incorporated in the bhajan program. Ayyapp
an prayer songs, kirthans and chanting of "Swamiyee Saranarn Ayyappa" are
meant to activate the breath control vibrational activity.
Ayyappa sahasranarnarn (recitation of 1000 times of Ayyappan's name)
together with other bhajan songs, create an elevated mental condition
conducive to invoke a powerful and unique method of recharging the
sub-conscious mind with spiritual vibrations.

According to Brahmopanishad, a deity is to be worshipped simultaneously at 4
places:
1). Idol (Bimba)
2). Fire (Vahini)
3). Water pitcher (Kumbha)
4). Mystic diagrams (Mandala - yantra)

All the above are incorporated in our pooja system during the last 3 days of
Makara Vilakku. Arathi is the culmination of the offerings of prayers to the
deity. Mandalaradhana (yantra worship) originated in the early period of
A.D. 300
and was perfected over the next 500 years. It was used in the beginning for
the yaga yajna sacrificial rituals at a specially constructed pandal by the
side of a hermitage, on the bank of a river or on a mountain top. At a later
stage, it was adopted to be conducted inside a temple's premises. Yantra
helps the process of editation. There are very many types of yantras in use
according to the deities. The main few are Sri Yantra of Goddess Lakshmi,
yantra of Gayatri, yantra of Lord Vishnu (Sudurshan mahachakra), yantra of
Lord Shiva, Rama and Krishna. Ayyappan yantra is one of the most powerful
yantras.