# Vavar

Vavar (Malayalam pronunciation:), known reverently as Vavarswami, is a legendary figure from Kerala. He is traditionally believed to be a Muslim companion of the Hindu deity Ayyappan. The story of Vavar's association with Ayyappan is a significant aspect of the region's spiritual history. A shrine dedicated to Vavar is located at Sabarimala, one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Kerala. Additionally, a mosque dedicated to Vavar is situated in Erumely, opposite an Ayyappan temple.

## Legend

There are many legends about Vavar and his association with Ayyappan. Vavar was a Hanafi Rowther belonging to the Pandya dynasty. Vavar and his family migrated to Travancore. The family later resorted to pirate activities to make a living. When Ayyappan defeated Vavar and his pirates, Vavar was impressed by the youth's valour and became the messenger of Lord Ayyappa and helped him in the wars in the mountainous region. As time passed, Vavar too became an ardent devotee of Ayyappa just like Kaduthaswami and came to be known as Vavarswami. The old sword on the wall of the Vavar mosque symbolises the eminence of Vavar as a great warrior. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa himself instructed the King of the Pandya dynasty to build a mosque for Vavar at Erumely in Kottayam District. The Sabarimala shrine is about 50 km away, deep in the forest in Pathanamthitta district
Erumely is the gateway to Sabarimala, the hillock shrine of Lord Ayyappa. This place is very famous for 'Pettathullal', a kind of mass spiritual dance performed by Ayyappa devotees. Pettathullal is performed in the Makaravilaku season, i.e., from mid-December to mid-January every year to commemorate the annihilation of the demoness Mahishi by Lord Ayyappa.
It is believed that the aim of the incarnation of Lord Dharmasasta as the son of Shiva and Mohini was the annihilation of Mahishi. Since Ayyappa is considered a human incarnation of Shasta, Erumely is an important place of worship for Ayyappa devotees.
After killing Mahishi at Erumely, Ayyappan danced on her dead body. To commemorate this event, the devotees perform the ritual called pettathullal in Erumely.
The barefooted devotees perform this dance by wearing black dhotis, garnishing their bodies with different colour powders and flowers and carrying toy bows, arrows and shrub branches and chanting the slogan "Ayyappa-thin-thakathom, Swami-thin-thakathom"
The place name Erumely is believed to have been derived from the word 'Eruma kolli' fence formed with the help of buffaloes, which later was transformed to Erumely.
En route the pilgrimage to Sabarimala during the makaravilakku season, almost all of the Ayyappa devotees will come to Erumely and perform the ritual. Pettathullal starts from the small temple situated at the heart of Erumely town known as 'Kochambalam'. From there the dance procession advanced to the Muslim mosque called 'Vavar Palli' opposite to Kochambalam and the devotees worship 'Vavarswamy'.
Finally, the procession ends up at Sabarimala.

## Shrine

There is a shrine dedicated to Vavar in Sabarimala next to the main temple. As per Islamic teachings there is no idol, but just a carved stone slab symbolises the deity of Vavar. A green coloured silk cloth is hung across one of the three walls. The fourth side is open. An old sword is also kept near the wall. The main offering to Vavar is black pepper. A Muslim priest still performs the rituals today as he was a Muslim.