Maalikapurathamma

Maalikapurathamma (Malayalam: മാളികപ്പുറത്തമ്മ) is a Hindu goddess enshrined in a small temple at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. The Maalikapurathamma Temple is visited after the main Ayyappa Temple. Malikapurathamma Temple is in front of Manimandapam in the temple complex.

The Pandalam royal family worship Malikapurathamma as their family deity. The Pandalam royal family when visiting Sabarimala stays in Malika ("small palace") behind Manimandapam. The goddess is named after the Malika palace, where she was once enshrined. A Pandalam king is said to have raised the god Ayyappa till the age of 12 years. Thus, Ayyappa also worships her as his clan deity and a mother.^[1][2]

Maalikapurathamma is regarded as aspect of the goddess Meenakshi, whose chief temple stands in Madurai.

Maalikapurathamma is said to be the daughter of Cheerappanchira Panicker who taught Kalaripayattu to Ayyappa. Cheerappanchira is an ancient noble Ezhava family renowned for its Kalari in Muhamma, Alappuzha District. According to legend, Lord Ayyappan came here to learn Kalaripayattu. The Cheerappanchira family holds many rights in the Sabarimala temple, such as to conduct fireworks, to light Nilavilak and ceremonial lamps at the Malikapurathamma temple, collect half the coconuts given by devotees at the Malikapurathamma temple. There is also a small Mukkalvetti Ayyappa temple at Cheerappanchira which hold 3/4 power of Ayyappa and rest in Sabarimala.^[3][4]

Thengai Urutt (rolling of coconut) is an important ritual performed in this temple.^[1] Coconuts are offered only after rolling them on the ground.^[5][6] Other main offerings to Maalikapurathamma are Thamboolam, saffron powder (Kumkumam podi), Manjal podi (turmeric powder), plantain (Kadali Pazham), Jhagri (Sharkara), red silk and honey.^[6]

• Cheerappanchira
• Ayyappan
• Makara Jyothi
• Pettathullal
• Sabarimala