Swamy Ayyappa and Erumeli Mosque

Sabarimala and Erumeli become world famous through the secularism spread by the legend of Vavar.Erumeli holds an important and holy position in association with Sabarimala.Early periods lakhs of devotees footed 60 km through the thick forests to reach Sabarimala.Even now a days pilgrimage on foot is via Erumeli. Belief  goes that when Mahishi was being  killed ,the Muslim warrior Vavar accompanied Manikantan.The purpose of  Ayyappa-killing of  Mahishi took place at Erumeli .Lord Ayyappa defeated the horrible looking bufflao from Mahishi at the place 'erumakolli' ,which is later changed to Erumeli.Only after taking darsana at the mosque at Erumeli do devotees make their sojourn to Sannidhanam.During Erumeli Pettakettu (wearing turmeric powder and kugumum,and dancing)a group from Ambalapuzha will visit the Vavar mosque offer prayers and Kanikka.This is a tribute to the LORD'S hunting of Mahishi.This is one among a special festival of secularism in the whole of India