Malai Meedhu Maniyosai
From Saranam Ayyappa · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- K. Veeramani, Chorus
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Saranam Ayyappa1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Saamiyae ayyappa | Oh Lord Ayyappa! |
| Saamiyae ayyappa | Oh Lord Ayyappa! |
| Saamiyae ayyappa | Oh Lord Ayyappa! |
| Saami saranam ayyappa | Oh Lord Ayyappa, I take refuge in you! |
| Male | |
| Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa | Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa! |
| Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa | A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa! |
| Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa | Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa! |
| Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa | A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa! |
| Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa | Are those ocean waves or a sea of heads, O Ayyappa? |
| Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa | Are those ocean waves or a sea of heads, O Ayyappa? |
| Adiyaarku arul kodi seiyappa | Shower millions of blessings upon your devotees, O Ayyappa! |
| Male | |
| Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa | Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa! |
| Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa | A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa! |
| Male | |
| Thodangidum paettaiyil pudhu ennamae | A new spiritual thought awakens at the starting point of Pettai... |
| Thodargindra manamengum un vannamae | Your divine form fills the mind that follows... |
| Thirupaerur thodennum aattrilae | In the river called Thirupaerur Thodu... |
| Thirupaerur thodennum aattrilae | In the river called Thirupaerur Thodu... |
| Kaal nadai pottu pori podum koottamae | The crowd walking on foot, casting puffed rice as offerings... |
| Male | |
| Aludhaiyil neeradi selgindravar | Those who take a holy bath in Aludha river and move forward... |
| Aludhaettram malaimeedhu kal kondavar | Those who pick up a stone while ascending the Aludha hill... |
| Kallidum kundrathil idukindravar | Those who cast that stone at the Kallidumkunru hillock... |
| Kallidum kundrathil idukindravar | Those who cast that stone at the Kallidumkunru hillock... |
| Karimalai arul thannai kaankindravar | Those who witness divine grace upon the mighty Karimalai... |
| Male | |
| Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa | Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa! |
| Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa | A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa! |
| Male | |
| Pambaiyil aadiyum deepam nagarthiyum | Bathing in the holy Pamba river and floating lit lamps... |
| Bhakthi kondaadiduvaar | They celebrate in absolute devotion! |
| Thirupparam porul ganapathy thannai vanangi | Worshipping Lord Ganapathy, the supreme reality... |
| Bhakthiyil pongiduvaar | They overflow with pure devotion! |
| Neeli malai thanil yaeri nadanthu | Climbing up the steep Neelimulai hill on foot... |
| Sabariyai nerungiduvaar | They draw close to Sabarimala! |
| Angae nilai perum peedam sabariyai kandu | Beholding the eternal seat where Sabari attained salvation... |
| Saranguthi vanangiduvaar | They offer prayers at Saranguthi... |
| Male | |
| Pathinettu padiyinil poojai nadanthum | While sacred rituals take place at the holy eighteen steps... |
| Bhakthargal oru kodi | Devotees numbering in tens of millions... |
| Avar paravasam aanaar thammai maranthaar | They are filled with divine ecstasy and forget their ego... |
| Aiyaa unai naadi | Seeking you, O Supreme Lord! |
| Male | |
| Arutperunjodhi migaperun karunai | The supreme light of grace and immense compassion... |
| Aanandha oli veesum | Shines with radiant bliss... |
| Dhinam angae eriyum sothiyai kandaal | When one beholds the sacred flame burning there daily... |
| Aadhavan thirukolam | It appears as the glorious form of the Sun God itself! |
| Male | |
| Saamiyae saranam saranam pon ayyappa | Oh Lord, I seek refuge, surrender unto you, golden Lord Ayyappa! |
| Saranam ayyappa | Refuge in Ayyappa! |
| Saamiyae saranam saranam pon ayyappa | Oh Lord, I seek refuge, surrender unto you, golden Lord Ayyappa! |
| Saranam ayyappa | Refuge in Ayyappa! |
சுவாமியே ஐயப்பா
சுவாமியே ஐயப்பா
சுவாமியே ஐயப்பா
சுவாமியே சரணம் ஐயப்பா
Oh Lord Ayyappa!
Oh Lord Ayyappa!
Oh Lord Ayyappa!
Oh Lord Ayyappa, I take refuge in you!
மலை மீது மணியோசை ஐயப்பா
மழை போல ஜன வெள்ளம் ஐயப்பா
மலை மீது மணியோசை ஐயப்பா
மழை போல ஜன வெள்ளம் ஐயப்பா
அலைதானோ தலைதானோ ஐயப்பா
அலைதானோ தலைதானோ ஐயப்பா
அடியார்க்கு அருள்கோடி செய்யப்பா
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
Are those ocean waves or a sea of heads, O Ayyappa?
Are those ocean waves or a sea of heads, O Ayyappa?
Shower millions of blessings upon your devotees, O Ayyappa!
மலை மீது மணியோசை ஐயப்பா
மழை போல ஜன வெள்ளம் ஐயப்பா
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
தொடங்கிடும் பேட்டையில் ஒரு எண்ணமே
தொடர்கின்ற மனமெங்கும் உன் வண்ணமே
திருப்போரூர் தோடென்னும் ஆற்றிலே
திருப்போரூர் தோடென்னும் ஆற்றிலே
கால் நடைப்போட்டு பொரி போடும் கூட்டமே
A new spiritual thought awakens at the starting point of Pettai...
Your divine form fills the mind that follows...
In the river called Thirupaerur Thodu...
In the river called Thirupaerur Thodu...
The crowd walking on foot, casting puffed rice as offerings...
அழுதையில் நீராடி செல்கின்றவர்
அழுதேற்றம் மலை மீது கல் கொண்டவர்
கல்லிடும் குன்றத்தில் இடுகின்றவர்
கல்லிடும் குன்றத்தில் இடுகின்றவர்
கரிமலை அருள்தன்னை காண்கின்றவர்
Those who take a holy bath in Aludha river and move forward...
Those who pick up a stone while ascending the Aludha hill...
Those who cast that stone at the Kallidumkunru hillock...
Those who cast that stone at the Kallidumkunru hillock...
Those who witness divine grace upon the mighty Karimalai...
மலை மீது மணியோசை ஐயப்பா
மழை போல ஜன வெள்ளம் ஐயப்பா
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
பம்பையில் ஆடியும் தீபம் நகர்த்தியும்
பக்தி கொண்டாடிடுவார்
திருப்பரம்பொருள் கணபதி தன்னை வணங்கி
பக்தியில் பொங்கிடுவார்
நீலிமலைதனில் ஏறி நடந்து
சபரியை நெருங்கிடுவார்
அங்கே நிலைபெறும் பீடம் சபரியைக் கண்டு
சரங்கொத்தி வணங்கிடுவார்....
Bathing in the holy Pamba river and floating lit lamps...
They celebrate in absolute devotion!
Worshipping Lord Ganapathy, the supreme reality...
They overflow with pure devotion!
Climbing up the steep Neelimulai hill on foot...
They draw close to Sabarimala!
Beholding the eternal seat where Sabari attained salvation...
They offer prayers at Saranguthi...
பதினெட்டு படியில் பூஜை நடத்தும்
பக்தர்கள் ஒரு கோடி
அவர் பரவசமானார் தம்மை மறந்தார்
ஐயா உனை நாடி
While sacred rituals take place at the holy eighteen steps...
Devotees numbering in tens of millions...
They are filled with divine ecstasy and forget their ego...
Seeking you, O Supreme Lord!
அருட்பெரும் ஜோதி மிகப்பெரும் கருணை
ஆனந்த ஒளி வீசும்
தினம் அங்கே எரியும் ஜோதியைக் கண்டால்
ஆதவன் திருக்கோலம்...
The supreme light of grace and immense compassion...
Shines with radiant bliss...
When one beholds the sacred flame burning there daily...
It appears as the glorious form of the Sun God itself!
சுவாமியே சரணம் சரணம் பொன் ஐயப்பா
சரணம் ஐயப்பா
சுவாமியே சரணம் சரணம் பொன் ஐயப்பா
சரணம் ஐயப்பா........
Oh Lord, I seek refuge, surrender unto you, golden Lord Ayyappa!
Refuge in Ayyappa!
Oh Lord, I seek refuge, surrender unto you, golden Lord Ayyappa!
Refuge in Ayyappa!
சுவாமியே சரணம் சரணம் பொன் ஐயப்பா
சரணம் ஐயப்பா
சுவாமியே சரணம் சரணம் பொன் ஐயப்பா
சரணம் ஐயப்பா
சுவாமியே சரணம் சரணம் பொன் ஐயப்பா
சரணம் ஐயப்பா........
Saamiyae ayyappa
Oh Lord Ayyappa!
Saamiyae ayyappa
Oh Lord Ayyappa!
Saamiyae ayyappa
Oh Lord Ayyappa!
Saami saranam ayyappa
Oh Lord Ayyappa, I take refuge in you!
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa
Are those ocean waves or a sea of heads, O Ayyappa?
Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa
Are those ocean waves or a sea of heads, O Ayyappa?
Adiyaarku arul kodi seiyappa
Shower millions of blessings upon your devotees, O Ayyappa!
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
Thodangidum paettaiyil pudhu ennamae
A new spiritual thought awakens at the starting point of Pettai...
Thodargindra manamengum un vannamae
Your divine form fills the mind that follows...
Thirupaerur thodennum aattrilae
In the river called Thirupaerur Thodu...
Thirupaerur thodennum aattrilae
In the river called Thirupaerur Thodu...
Kaal nadai pottu pori podum koottamae
The crowd walking on foot, casting puffed rice as offerings...
Aludhaiyil neeradi selgindravar
Those who take a holy bath in Aludha river and move forward...
Aludhaettram malaimeedhu kal kondavar
Those who pick up a stone while ascending the Aludha hill...
Kallidum kundrathil idukindravar
Those who cast that stone at the Kallidumkunru hillock...
Kallidum kundrathil idukindravar
Those who cast that stone at the Kallidumkunru hillock...
Karimalai arul thannai kaankindravar
Those who witness divine grace upon the mighty Karimalai...
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Sound of temple bells echoing on the mountain, O Ayyappa!
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
A flood of crowd pouring in like rain, O Ayyappa!
Pambaiyil aadiyum deepam nagarthiyum
Bathing in the holy Pamba river and floating lit lamps...
Bhakthi kondaadiduvaar
They celebrate in absolute devotion!
Thirupparam porul ganapathy thannai vanangi
Worshipping Lord Ganapathy, the supreme reality...
Bhakthiyil pongiduvaar
They overflow with pure devotion!
Neeli malai thanil yaeri nadanthu
Climbing up the steep Neelimulai hill on foot...
Sabariyai nerungiduvaar
They draw close to Sabarimala!
Angae nilai perum peedam sabariyai kandu
Beholding the eternal seat where Sabari attained salvation...
Saranguthi vanangiduvaar
They offer prayers at Saranguthi...
Pathinettu padiyinil poojai nadanthum
While sacred rituals take place at the holy eighteen steps...
Bhakthargal oru kodi
Devotees numbering in tens of millions...
Avar paravasam aanaar thammai maranthaar
They are filled with divine ecstasy and forget their ego...
Aiyaa unai naadi
Seeking you, O Supreme Lord!
Arutperunjodhi migaperun karunai
The supreme light of grace and immense compassion...
Aanandha oli veesum
Shines with radiant bliss...
Dhinam angae eriyum sothiyai kandaal
When one beholds the sacred flame burning there daily...
Aadhavan thirukolam
It appears as the glorious form of the Sun God itself!
Saamiyae saranam saranam pon ayyappa
Oh Lord, I seek refuge, surrender unto you, golden Lord Ayyappa!
Saranam ayyappa
Refuge in Ayyappa!
Saamiyae saranam saranam pon ayyappa
Oh Lord, I seek refuge, surrender unto you, golden Lord Ayyappa!
Saranam ayyappa
Refuge in Ayyappa!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This devotional hymn written by Kannadasan vividly captures the holy pilgrimage to Sabarimala and the intense fervor of Lord Ayyappa's devotees. It systematically traces the journey undertaken by pilgrims, starting from Pettaithullal at Erumely, bathing in the Thirupaerur river, climbing Aludha hill, dropping stones at Kallidumkunru, conquering Karimalai and Neelimulai, bathing at Pamba, praying at Saranguthi, and finally ascending the sacred Pathinettu Padi (18 steps). The song highlights the grand sight of millions gathered like a sea of ocean waves, united in chanting and devotion, culminating in the sublime vision of the divine Makara Jyothi flame radiating grace like the sun.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uwamai (Simile)
“Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa”
Comparing the massive gathering of devotees to rain and floods ('Mazhai pola jana vellam').
Rhetorical Question & Visual Imagery
“Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa”
Asking whether the vast sea of heads moving up the mountain is an ocean wave ('Alai thaano thalai thaano').
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa”
Matching initial letters ('M' sound) across adjacent lines: 'Malai' and 'Mazhai'.
Metaphor (Rupaka Alankara)
“Aadhavan thirukolam”
Comparing the holy eternal flame (Jyothi) directly to the radiant form of the Sun God ('Aadhavan thirukolam').
Did you know?
Trivia
This song serves as a detailed lyrical map of the traditional Sabarimala trek ('Periya Pathai' or long route). Lyrical legend Kannadasan beautifully embedded every key ritual stop—Pettai, Thirupaerur Thodu, Aludha river, Kallidumkunru, Karimalai, Pamba, Neelimulai, Saranguthi, and the 18 steps—making it one of the most spiritually authentic and popular Ayyappa devotional songs in Tamil literature.
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