Fwd: The Legend of Vavar

[Guest guest]

IndiaArchaeology , JK <tiptronicus wrote:

 

http://preview.tinyurl.com/52qtcl

 

One of the first things that strike you as you start to understand

religion,

especially in Kerala, and when you start out as a Kanni Ayappan on that

glorious trek to Sabarimala (now that is an experience by itself, do the

whole thing including the trek from Pampa via Erumayur) is the strange

anomaly, you first visit a mosque to seek good wishes from a departed

Muslim

soul called Vavar. You are told by the senior swami in the troupe (the guy

who has planted one or more coconut trees at Sabarimala) that Vavar

Swami, a

great friend of Ayappan is entombed at that location. Later on as you grow

older, you marvel at the occasion where there is no religious enmity and

where all religions are allowed to participate in this pilgrimage, and

they

continue to do so, in the millions every year, men, children and older

women

alike. The myth like the Cheraman Perumal

myth<http://historicalleys.blogspot.com/2008/12/perumal-and-pickle.html>

lingers

on.

 

<http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ost45tmkvuk/SUrol6uhyCI/AAAAAAAACGo/A2qzQvrq-x4/s1600\

-h/sabarimala-temple.jpg>As

it is done, you start the Peta Thullal session near the mosque and move on

to the other activities�but that is not the topic for today. The

question is

who is Vavar? A very difficult question to answer, that is if you do not

know a bit about the Lord himself in this case, Ayappan, Hariharan or

Manikantan. Even if you knew the background, the answer would not be

clear.

And for that reason it will forever remain a myth or a legend, and as many

agree, a well accepted and satisfying legend.

 

Lord Ayappan in this context has two facets, the historic one related

to the

Kingdom of Pandalam and the mythical one. In the mythical one, he is

born to

Shiva and Mohini (Mohini is the form of a seductress assumed by

Vishnu) and

departs to Earth to destroy the Mahishaura. He is found near the river

Pampa

by the Pandalam king Rajashekara Pandya with a bell around his neck and

hence called Manikantan. The king adopts him.

 

In the historical sense, the story is simplified - AYYAPPAN know as AYYAN

who belonged to the Vellalar Kulam, was the army chief of the Pandalam

royal

family. He lived with his uncle Perisseri Pillai of Erumeli, Kottayam

dist,

Kerala. This was about ten generations ago. The Royal family of a Pandya

king had migrated from Tamilnadu about 800 years back. The King

reconstructed the destroyed Sastha temple at Sabarimala with the help of

Ayyan a local lad, Vavar, a Muslim youth from Kanjirappally, Kadutha,

a Nair

youth from Muzhukeer (Chenganoor, Alapuzha dist). Ayyan was

instrumental in

the defeat of Udayanan, who attacked Sabarimala and tried to demolish the

ancient Sastha temple in the thick forest. During this clash, Ayyappan got

killed. His uncle, Perissery Pillai, constructed the 'Kochampalam' -

an old

Sastha temple - at Erumeli, opposite the Vavar Mosque, constructed by

Muslims in memory of Vavar. In the age old " Elavarsevampattu " it was

clearly

mentioned that Ayyan belonged to " Vellalar kulam, Near Erumeli, Kottayam

(There still exists a vellala house called Puthenveedu in Erumely). In the

same compound there is a 300 year old, thatched, depleted, mud house, the

house of Perissery Pillai, Ayyappan's uncle and the Vellal Chieftain of

Erumeli.

 

During his adulthood, Ayyan destroys the asura, and comes across a sea

pirate who was creating a lot of trouble in the neighborhood. They have a

huge fight and soon realize that both are equally endowed. They stop the

fight and become fast friends (some stories say Vavar defeated the Lord)

with Vavar thereby assuming an advisory role. In other myths, Vavar

came to

Ayappa's rescue during the fight with the demon. The friendship between

Ayyappa and Vavar was extremely strong and reminiscent of the relationship

between Krishna and Arjuna. At one point in the telling of the legend,

Ayyappa tells his father: " Consider Vavar as myself. "

 

Looking at Vavar there is one thing that is definite, that he was a

Muslim.

Then there is the fact

<http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ost45tmkvuk/SUroiakuA6I/AAAAAAAACGg/djK1iCd4PMo/s1600\

-h/300px-Vavar_masjid_sabarimala.jpg>that

there still exists his clan, 15th descendants in line (some of the

Vettiplackal Kudumbayogam families living in Alapuzha district claim to be

the 14th or 15th line of descendants of Vavarswami), now at Erumeli. They

are the ones who do the rites at the mosque and the Vavar temple. This

could

mean that he was a converted person, or an Arab trader or an Arab

Saint who

came to spread the teachings of Mohammed. Let us look at some of the oft

stated stories

 

He was a Muslim saint who migrated from Arabia to India to spread

Islam, His

name is the corruption of the name Hazrath Vawar Baba. Others suggest that

he was an Arab warrior who reached the shore of Kerala as a pirate in

a ship

to loot and plunder. During his encounter with Lord Ayyappan, he was

defeated and subdued. Another legend is that Muslim invader Vavar and his

army attacked the king of Pandalam, Ayyappan's foster parent, and Ayappan

was sent to defend Pandalam. After a fierce battle, Ayyappan overcame

Vavar

and later both became great friends. That this tale has connections to

trade

between Arabia and Malabar is clear from the fact that the offering to

Vavar

is always Green pepper and rose water. If you recall, the Malabar

pepper era

existed between historic times and as late as 1800AD. 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. The myth says that the Vavar family migrated to Travancore

during an attack from Thirumalainaicken, a minister of the Pandya kingdom.

According to the Pandalam palace website <http://www.ayyappa.com/> the

scattered Pandya royals re-united in the year 1174 AD. Considering

that the

earthly sojourn of Manikanta was 12 years, Manikanta should have lived

with

the Pandalam royal family between 1162 and 1174 AD. Did he do all this

before the age of 12??

 

Some say that the name Vavar evolved from the Barami name babar. As

you may

recall bahrami traders were active in the ocean trade. This name came

to be

pronounced in the Venad region as Vavar. Yet another claim is that this

Vavar is said to have been a Buddhist saint called Dwapara, which became

Dawapr � Babar.

 

Another legend puts it as follows - Vavar was born in Takrittan Tottam,

perhaps ancient Syria or Southern Turkey. His father was one Ali Kutty who

married Pattumma (Fatima). During Vavar's childhood, a terrible famine

ravaged his country. Paddy crops failed though Millet and wheat were

available in abundance. As an intelligent boy, he became an authority

in all

branches of studies including the art of archery, fencing and even

ship-building. He received lessons in black magic too, which helped

him very

much in his later life which was full of adventures. He was known as

Vavar,

the lame-footed, as his legs were slightly bent even at the time of his

birth. When he grew up he expressed his desire to go abroad a ship

which he

managed to build himself, and the parents, though reluctant gave him their

permission.Vavar's adventurous career commences with his voyage in the

Arabian Sea. Gathering a few faithful friends who were equally well versed

in the art of fencing and archery, he manned his boat towards the land of

pepper and other precious condiments. It is said that he landed first at

Kayamkulam, a coastal country in Kerala, then an independent principality

ruled by a petty king. Vavar and his men, when they landed at Kayamkulam,

were looked upon by the natives as sea pirates, and they got scared. In

fact, Vavar's intention was only to make some adventurous expeditions,

exploring new countries, exploiting the rich to help the poor and the

needy.

The king of Kayamkulam sought the help of the King of Pandalam who deputed

the prince Manikantan to face the sea pirate. An encounter took place

between Vavar and the prince. They fought for three days continuously.

None

were victorious. Mutually realizing the greatness of each other, the two

opponents stopped their fight and were united in a friendly embrace.

Thenceforth both Ayyappan and Vavar behaved like brothers. Even today the

pilgrims to Sabarimala shrine make their offerings first to Vavar, the

Muslim saint and then to Ayyappa.

 

Even today, a Muslim priest performs the rituals at the shrine dedicated

Vavar. There is no distinguishable idol, but just a carved stone slab

symbolizing the deity of Vavar. A green silk cloth is hung across

walls, and

an old sword is kept near the wall, perhaps to symbolize Vavar was a great

warrior. The main offering at this shrine is green pepper; a befitting

tribute to a heritage of pepper trade. Other offering include rose water,

sandalwood paste, coconut and ghee. Pilgrims donate money in the donation

box and some of the pilgrims bring goats as sacrifice. This is I

understand

due to a belief that the pilgrims accompanied by goats could reach the

Sannidhanam safely..

 

--- End forwarded message ---