Miladan
is a child hood friend of Lord Ayyappa who is the embodiment of
love and affection. Lord Ayyappa considered Miladan as his most
trusted friend and always waited to serve him, in spite of being
from a backward community. Story of Milada is not very prominent
in modern literature and hence not known to many people today.
Lord Ayyappa used to share his food with this boy from a poor
background before he ate his food during the gurukula days. On
one occassion when Miladan was trying to meet the lord in his
palace, the soldiers refused entry. Seeing this lord ran out
from the palace, hugged him and took him inside with all royal
welcomings - clearly demonstrating to the rest of the world that
his devotees will get his respect and attention, regardless of
their current conditions. In this occassion, lord had declared
that Miladan's soule is much more closer to him than every one
else and then why should the body be away.
During the time of returning from the palace for ever, lord
Ayyappa was granting Sayoojyam to Miladan. Being an esteemed
devotee, Miladan refused the offer and sought lords blessings to
keep singing his praise as long as the world existed. This wish
was granted - there by making Miladan a "Chiranjeevi" -
always alive.
Miladan is considered to be protecting the Poonkavanam today
singing Lords glory using his udukku all the time. Please see
references to
udukku pattu.
Here are
Mural
Paintings of Miladan
1) Miladan meets lord Ayyappa in the present day Erumeli
2) Miladan seeking darshan of lord Ayyappa
at Pandalam Palace