Sri Vettakkorumakan Swami

Olassa Sri Vettakkorumakan (Son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi) kaavu 

Lord Vettakkorumakan ("Kiratha Moorthi") was born from the union of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi when they took the form of hunters (malayalam - "Kaattala vesham"). There is a misconception among many people that Vettakkorumakan is Lord Ayyappa was born to Mohini and Lord Siva. 

The story begins like this...
 

Arjuna was doing a penance to please Lord Siva to get boon which would help him during the war of Kurukshetra. Arjuna had in fact become too proud of his archery abilities and Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi wanted to teach him a lesson. Vettakkorumakan was born from the union of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi when they took the form of hunters to test Arjuna. 

This boy born to Siva and Parvathi becomes extremely naughty and was a menace to the people including saints. Based on their request, Maha Vishnu disguises as a hunter and invites him for a duel. During the duel Vettakkorumakan sensing a divinity in his opponent, asked, "Daivathil aar?" To which he received the reply "Daivathar". Vettakkorumakan soon became interested in a novel weapon which he observed in the waist band of his opponent. Sensing his desire to possess the weapon, Daivathar put forth a condition. Vettakkorumakan can have the churika on his right hand provided he will never put it down on the earth. Vettakkorumakan soon realized that the churika is increasingly becoming heavier. His pride soon vanished and entered a truce with Daivathar.

This is a legend associated with Sree Vettakkorumakan Kavu. It is a temple in the Aymanam grama panchayat in Kottayam District of Kerala, India. Vettakkorumakan has a fierce form carrying bow, arrows, swords etc. This war Lord is easily pleased with offerings of coconut.

by Varun Vasudev