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LITTLE DEVOTEES

Little questions. Wonderful discoveries.

Read with a grown-up, look closely at the pictures, and share what you notice.

Meet the people in the story

King Rajasekhara holds baby Manikandan.
Original illustration · artistic interpretation

Manikandan

The divine child raised in Pandalam. Look for his little bell necklace.

The king discovers the child beside the river.
Original illustration · artistic interpretation

King Rajasekhara

The foster father who welcomes the child and cares for him.

Manikandan listens to his teacher.
Original illustration · artistic interpretation

The guru

A teacher who guides Manikandan’s learning.

Ayyappa seated in a Kerala forest.
Original illustration · artistic interpretation

Ayyappa

The Lord recognised in Manikandan, honoured at Sabarimala.

A five-minute story together

See all eight chapters →
Ayyappa seated in a Kerala forest.
CHAPTER 01 · READ TOGETHER

The Divine Origin of Hariharaputra

A name that remembers Hari and Hara.

Open the picture story
King Rajasekhara holds baby Manikandan.
CHAPTER 02 · READ TOGETHER

The Discovery of Baby Manikandan

A king finds a child, and opens his heart.

Open the picture story
Manikandan listens to his teacher.
CHAPTER 03 · READ TOGETHER

Manikandan Learns with Wisdom and Courage

Knowledge grows brighter when it is joined with care.

Open the picture story

LOOK AT THE PICTURE

Who welcomes Manikandan?

The king discovers the child beside the river.
Original illustration · artistic interpretation

Which character finds the baby in the forest?

FIRST · NEXT · THEN

Put the story in order

Move the picture cards with the arrows. Which event comes first?

  1. Manikandan returns with the tigers.Manikandan returns with tigers
  2. The king discovers the child beside the river.The king discovers Manikandan
  3. Manikandan listens to his teacher.Manikandan studies with his guru

A WORD TO KEEP

Our little glossary

Hari
A name of Vishnu.
Hara
A name of Shiva.
Putra
Son or child.
Deva
A divine being in Hindu tradition.
Boon
A special blessing or gift in a traditional story.
Manikandan
The childhood name associated with the ornament at his neck.
Pandalam
The Kerala place associated with his foster family.
Rajasekhara
The king who raises Manikandan in this tradition.
Guru
A teacher or spiritual guide.
Dakshina
An offering of gratitude to a teacher.
Shastra
A body of teaching or learned text.
Humility
Being willing to learn without needing to show off.
Successor
Someone who takes up a role after another person.
Deception
Trying to make someone believe something untrue.
Resolve
A steady determination to do what is needed.
Mahishi
The powerful opponent in this Ayyappa tradition.
Asura
A being in Hindu narratives; this story’s asura is an antagonist.
Divine realm
The world of the devas within the religious story.
Indra
A leading deva in Hindu tradition.
Reverence
Deep respect.
Repentance
Recognising a wrong and sincerely wishing to change.
Abode
A dwelling place.
Shrine
A place set apart for worship.
Patronage
Support given to a place, activity or community.
Legend
A traditional account, distinct from a verified historical record.
Vrata
A religious observance or vow.
Irumudi
The two-compartment bundle associated with the pilgrimage.
Sharanam
Refuge or shelter; an expression of devotional trust.
Pilgrimage
A journey made for a religious purpose.

Small things we can practise

Welcome someone. Listen to a teacher. Ask for help. Tell the truth. Look after a shared place. These are DHIH’s gentle learning reflections, not additional verses from scripture.

There is no score, timer, account or audio to start automatically. Take your time and read together.