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com)

The Symbolic Meaning of Saranam in the Chant Swami Saranam Dedicated To

Lord Ayyappa
Swami Saranam is a mantra
ntra repeated often by Ayyappa devotees visiting the sacred Sabarimala
Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Swamiyee Sharana Ayyappa is most favorite prayer of most devotees.
The general meaning that is assumed of Swami Saranam is that everything depends on Ayyappa
Saranam means give me refuge so that all problems are solved at His feet.
There is also a symbolic meaning to Saranam
Sha syllable stands for help from Ayyappa to defeat all human fallacies like ego, jealousy,
avarice, anger etc.
Ra syllable stands for attaining knowledge of the Supreme Being or the knowledge that leads to
Moksha.
nam syllable stands for peace deep silence where there is no two.

Ayyappa Mala Procedure How to Wear Ayyappa Mala to Visit Sabarimala Temple?

Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple should compulsorily wear the Ayyappa Mala.
This Mala is worn after beginning the Vratam to visit the Sabarimala Shrine. Usually, the Ayyappa
A
Mala is worn in a local Ayyappa temple or any other temple near the house. Those who are unable
to do it at a temple or holy place wear the Mala at home in the Puja room or area.
The Mantra chanted while wearing the Ayyappa Mala is: http://ayyappa-songshttp://ayyappa
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra-while-wearing-ayyappa-mudra
mudra-mala.html
Ayyappa malas are usually made of Rudraksha beads, Tulsi, Pavizham (small gem stones), Raktha
Chandanam, Uduppi Tulsi, or Black Pavizham. A devotee chooses a particular mala of his liking.
The most preferred is the one made from Rudraksha beads.
Upon returning home after Ayyappa Darshan, the mala is removed after chanting the following
Mantra:
http://ayyappa-songs-lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra-while-removing
removing-mudra-mala.html

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There are also people who wear the Mala for 41 days or till the end of the Makaravillakku on
January 14.

Lord Ayyappa and Shani Worship of Ayyappa to avoid Shani Dosham

D
There is a very strong belief among Ayyappa devotees that Lord Ayyappa has control over Shani
(Sani Bhagavan) and therefore He is also known as Shaneeshwaran Ayyappan. Those people
suffering from Shani Dosham perform special rituals to Lord Ayyappa to get of it. Shani or Saturn
is one among the planets in Hindu astrology and those people who believe in astrology and
horoscope consider that the position of Shani on their horoscope can cause ill luck and
difficulties.
Those people suffering from Shani Dosham conduct Ayyappa Bhajanam (chanting of the names
and glory of Ayyappa) to get rid of the Dosha.
It is believed that Sade Sati, Ashtama Shani, Kandaka Shani, 71/2 Shani and fear will be removed
by worshipping Lord Ayyappa.
The main ritual performed by those suffering from Shani to Ayyappa is Niranjanam.
Neyyabhishekam is also performed by many devotees.
How to End the Sabarimala Vratam after visiting the Ayyappa Temple?
Most devotees on returning home after the darshan of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala
Sabarima Temple end
the Vratam. Ayyappa devotees remove the Mudra Mala and hang it on the idol or painting of Lord
Ayyappa at home. The mudra mala should not be placed carelessly anywhere. Some devotees
remove the Ayyappa mala at a nearby temple where they had w
worn the mala.

The mantra to be chanted for removing the Mala is:

http://ayyappa-songs-lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra-while-removing-mudra
mudra-mala.html
After chanting this mantra the devotee should call aloud Swamiyeee Saranam Ayyappaaand
break a coconut
ut and remove the mudra mala.

The general belief is that the Ayyappa devotee should enter home only in the evening after
sighting a lamp after his Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple darshan. If he reaches his place early, he
spends the time at a nearby temple and waits till evening. Family waits at door in the evening with
a lamp to welcome back the devotee. The family members invite the devotee by chanting
Swamiyeee Saranam Ayyappaa

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Some devotees even after ending the vratam do not eat non
non-vegetarian
vegetarian food for 41-days
41
of
Mandala kalam. Some people observe the vratam till the end of the Makaravilakku on January 14.

Thanka Anki Procession to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

The Thanka Anki procession
rocession to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is an important ritual during the
41-day
day Mandala Pooja held at the Sabarimala Shrine. Thanka Anki is the gold ornaments that are
adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa on the Mandala Pooja day, which marks the culmination
culmin
of
the 41-day
day Mandala Pooja. The Thanka Anki procession starts from the Aranmula Sree
Parthasarathy Temple four days prior to the Mandala Pooja day.
Thanka Anki means the Golden Attire the Golden Attire of Lord Ayyappa, weighing
450Sovereigns of gold.
old. It was offered to Lord Ayyappa by Sri Chithira Thirunal, erstwhile Maharaja
of Travancore in 1973.
The Thanka Anki is carried to the Sabarimala Shrine in a specially
specially-decorated
decorated vehicle. It will visit
numerous temples on its way and opportunity to dars
darshan
han will be provided for Devotees. The
Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple is around 100 km away from Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.
The deeparadhana on the final day of Mandala Pooja will be performed by adorning the idol of
Ayyappa with the Thanka Anki.
After
er the Mandala Pooja, the temple will be closed for a couple of days and will reopen for the
Makaravilakku Pooja.

Harivarasanam Song - Must know...

Harivasanam song Lyrics - http://ayyappa
http://ayyappa-songs-lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/11/harivarasanam
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/11/harivarasanamviswamohanam
viswamohanam-ayyappa.html
Harivarasanam song is sung when doors of the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala Ayyappa
Temple is closed for the day at night. This divine song which drenches the eyes of Ayyappa
devotees in tears was written Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer. Harivarasa
Harivarasanam
nam lyrics were composed in
1950. Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer used to sing it daily when the temple doors were closed after
performing the Athazapuja serving the last meal of the day to Ayyappa. Today it is known as the
Urakku Pattu or the song that sends Ayyappa to sleep.
In the beginning, the main priest used to play flute while closing the doors of the temple.
Harivarasanam became the Urakku Pattu of Ayyappa after the infamous fire incident in the 50s,
which burn down the old temple. When the new temple was built and the pujas commenced,
Harivarasanam was inducted as the Urakku Pattu the song to send Ayyappa to sleep.
Swami Vimochananda and Vadakatham Ishwaran Namboodiri (who was the then melsanthi chief
priest) was responsible for making Harivarasa
Harivarasanam
nam the Urakku Pattu of Ayyappa.
Today, the chief priest and the other priests stand on both the sides of Ayyappa idol and recite the
Harivarasanam. While singing the song one by one the priest exits the Sanctum Sanctorum

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without making noise. When the so
song
ng is about halfway through, the chief priest puts off each lamp
in the sanctum sanctorum. When the final line is sung, the chief priest closes the door of the
Sanctum Sanctorum and locks it.
It is the wish of every Ayyappa devotee to present at the Sanni
Sannidhanam
dhanam when Harivarasanam is
rendered. The emotion that it creates on devotees is unexplainable.

Sabarimala Mandala Kalam Pilgrim season November December at Ayyappa

Temple

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Lord Ayyappa gives continues darshan to his devotees for 41

41-days
days at Sabarimala Temple during
the Mandala Kalam (November December). For 2012 - 2013 - Sabarimala Temples opens on
2012 after Mandala Puja.
Puj The Temple
November 16, 2012 evening and closes on December 27th 201
then opens December 30, 2010 for Makaravilakku Puja. The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple remains
closed for the major part of a year. So Mandala Kalam is the period chosen by most pilgrims to
visit the shrine. The 41-day
day pilgrim season, also known as Mandala Pooja, attracts millions of
devotees to this hill shrine dedicated to Sastha.
The pilgrim season begins on the first day of Malayalam month Vrischikam (Mid November) and
continues for 41 days. The Mandala Kalam ends during the fag end of December,
Decembe in the Malayalam
month Dhanu.
The temple is then closed for a day and reopens for the Makaravilaku season, which ends on
January 14.
The temple then opens and conducts pujas only on the first of every Malayalam month
m
and during
festivals like Vishu and Onam and also the temple idol installation day etc.
Before going to have a darshan all devotees wear Mudra Mala (Rudraksha or Tulsi mala) and enter
into a period of Vratham (austerities) for 41
41-days.
There is no restriction of religion and all people can e
enter
nter the temple. But women between the age
of 10 and 50 are not allowed to climb the Sabarimala hill and pray at the temple.
Irumudi - a cloth bundle with two compartments containing traditional offerings to the temple
which includes coconut, ghee, malar, rice etc is a must to enter the eighteen steps and
an to have a
darshan of Ayyappa.

Mantra to end Sabarimala Vratham and remove the Ayyappa Mudra Ma

Mala
After the darshan of the Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Hill Temple, the next important ceremony
is the removal of the Ayyappa Mudra Mala (the special rudraksha or Tulsi chain and Ayyappa
pendant worn by devotees). The Mudra Mala should only be removed after reaching home.
Sabarimala Vratham can be continued for 41 days even after an early visit.

Swami Sharanam should be chanted before entering the home.

The Irumudi should be placed in the Puja room or the Pandal in which the Kettu Murukku (or the
tying of the Irumudi was done).

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The mantra to be recited while removing the Mudra mala is: http://ayyappa-songshttp://ayyappa
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra
lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra-while-removing-mudra-mala.html

Why Ayyappa Devotees Wear Black Dress to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Majority of the pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple wear black dress black dhoti,
trousers, shirt or T-shirt.
shirt. Others opt for the saffron colored dress. The dress code is also part of
the strict and rigorous preparations that a devotee undergo
undergoes
es before climbing the 18-steps
18
to the
Sabarimala Ayyappa shrine.
The usual custom is to observe strict austerities and self control for forty
forty-one
one days preceding the
visit to the temple. But nowadays most pilgrims do not follow all the rules associated with
wi
Sabarimala Vratham.
During the Sabarimala Vratham, the mind is made to withdraw from the worldly objects and is
slowly directed towards Ayyappa. The aim is to reach Tat Tvam Asi That Thou Art everything is
that Supreme Being.
The black clothes symbolically
bolically indicate a mind withdrawn from all materialist objects. The black
cloth suggests the Ayyappa devotee is dead to the world of perceptions, emotions and thoughts
and he is immersed in thought of Ayyappa.

Thoughts and Quotes on Lord Ayyappa

Lord Ayyappa, the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini (Lord Vishnu), symbolizes constructive
destruction which is a combination of Vishnu (Creation) and Shiva (Destruction). He is considered
the protector of the weak. He saves mankind from sickness, diseases, and miseries
mise
of the world
and endows them with Jnana (knowledge) leading to spiritual liberation or Moksha.
Since he represents both creation and destruction, Ayyappa is Harihara Sutha and he helps his
devotee to destroy all low negative tendencies and maintains the pure Sattwic nature in the
seeker. He protects our spiritual wealth and power by maintaining the thought of Godliness and
destroys all other thoughts pertaining to the worldly infatuations.
All along the ascent to the shrine, the devotee tries to main
maintain
tain the one thought of the Lord. When
such single-pointed
pointed concentration and meditation is maintained the Truth reveals itself to the
seeker, which is symbolized by the Darshan of the Lord in the temple.

Swami Saranam Meaning and Significance of Chanti

Chanting
ng Swami Sharanam
One of the most important mantras chanted by Ayyappa devotees to Sabarimala is Swami
Sharanam or Swamisharanam. This mantram is uttered as a greeting when two Ayyappa devotees
and pilgrims meet. Everything starts and ends in Swami Sarana
Saranam.
m. Swami Sharanam literally

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means the only hope is Ayyappa. But the two words that reverberates in mind of millions of
Ayyappa devotees has a more significant and symbolic meaning.
Swami Sharanam
Swa the uttering of this syllable reminds one of the P
Parabrahma
arabrahma the ultimate source or the
Supreme Being.
M represents Shiva.
I represents Shakti.
The syllable MI represents ShivaShakti creation.
Sha syllable in the mantra represents the destruction of all enemies like ego.
Ra represents knowledge, which purifies and puts us in the path of self realization.
Nam is Shanti and final merging in the Supreme Soul.
The uttering of the mantra Swami Sharanam installs piety and modesty in a devotee. He suddenly
transforms and realizes
lizes the Brahman. And he stands before Ayyappa Prataksya Brahman the
Ultimate Source of creation. Only tears trickle down realizing Tat Tvam Asi That Thou Art.
In simple terms all animate and inanimate rises and falls in Brahman.

How to Avoid Health

ealth Problems While Climbing to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Pada Balam ThaDeha Balam Tha... (Ayyappa give strength to our feet and body to reach your
abode) is a popular chant used by devotees climbing the hill to reach the Sabarimala Ayyappa
Ayy
Temple. Most modern day Ayyappa devotees who are not used to walking and doing physical
work need all the blessings of Lord Ayyappa to reach his abode and return safely. Heart Attack is
one of the most common health risks that pilgrims face while clim
climbing
bing the Sabarimala hill.
Here are few tips to Avoid Health Problems While Climbing to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

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Devotees who have coronary heart disease should consult a doctor before deciding to climb the
Sabarimala hill. It would be ideal, if all Ayya
Ayyappa
ppa devotees aged above forty consult a doctor a week
before starting the journey to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.
Unusual panting (breathing heavily) while climbing steps this is a clear warning signal and such
people should consult a doctor before decidi
deciding on the journey.
Only use boiled water. Majority of the diseases can be avoided by strictly using only boiled water
or by carrying water from home.
Maximum Ayyappa devotees suffer stroke while climbing Nili Mala, the most strenuous part of the
trek due the steep climb. There is a cardiac center on top of Nili Mala and devotees should
immediately carry the person to the center.
People suffering from hypertension, diabetes, Asthma, fits and seizures, hyperglycemia,
pulmonary edema, and other heart ailmen
ailments
ts should consult a doctor before the journey.
There is a medical camp at Pamba, the base camp before beginning the trekking, and devotees
who have any sort of discomfort should undergo a check up before starting the trek.
While trekking, if you feel any discomfort like breathing problem, body pain or unusual sweating
take immediate medical help.
Diabetic patients should take advice from their doctors before starting the Sabarimala Vratham
and also regarding the precautions to be taken while climbing the hill.
People suffering from Asthma or other lung diseases should carry inhaler with them.
During windy days, the Manjal (Turmeric powder) and Kum Kum in air can cause irritation to eyes
if you are in and around the Ayyappa Temple. Take precautions to avoid such situations.
Collect telephone numbers of police, information center and hospitals from Pamba before starting
the trek.

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Sabarimala Makaravilaku Controversy Never Ends Or Will It This Time

In Kerala, Gods Own Country, whenever there is a co

controversy
ntroversy regarding faith it will somehow
end up at Sabarimala Makaravilakku the diya or vilakku or light that appears three times at the
distant hill known as ponnambala medu during Makaravilakku festival which is held annually on
January 14. The appearing
ing of Makaravilakku is an open secret in Kerala, even among Ayyappa
devotees. Atheists and rationalists have always maintained that it is lit by police, forest guards
and temple officials. Incidentally, even when the Communists were ruling the Kerala State
Stat the
Makaravilakku ritual has happened and it did happen in January 2008.
According to Lord Ayyappa legend, after defeating demon Mahishasura, Ayyappa merged with the
Dharma Shastha idol on the Makarajyothi day. It is believed that the tribals who were harassed
ha
by
the demon Mahishasura first lit the light to celebrate the slaying of their tormentor. Another legend
indicates that the Lord disappeared from earth at Ponnambala Medu or Kantamala where the
Makaravilakku is lit and it was Lord Parashuram who fir
first lit the lamp.
Just before the Makarajyothi appears on the distant hill, a star known as Makarajyothi appears and
also an eagle hovers over the Sabarimala Temple.
In the recent round of Sabarimala Makaravilaku controversy, the chief priest or Tantri in a press
release stated that the Makaravilaku is lit by humans and it is only a symbolic act. He also clearly
explained the difference between Makaravilaku (light) and Makarajyothi (star).
The government also owned up its involvement in the event. Both th
the
e Tantri and the present
government should be praised for their honesty and clearing the controversy once and for all.

The Hindu newspaper reports:

The Makaravilakku was a fire lit by human hand on the hill neighboring Sabarimala while the
Makarajyothi was
s a star that appeared in the evening sky on the day marking the culmination of
the annual festival.
It is the star that is worshiped as a celestial light. The Makaravilakku is merely a ritual involving
the lighting of a fire as a symbolic act.

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Ayyappa is one Hindu God who has staunch devotees cutting across religious lines. Millions of
devotees visit the Sabarimala Shrine during the Mandala
Mandala-Makaravilakku
Makaravilakku season (November
December January). Therefore questioning the Makaravilakku appearance will
w have both political
and social repercussions. So, elected governments have maintained a silence over the issue.
There is also an economic angle to the government silence. People in Kerala jokingly say that the
stagnant economy of the State, which is d
devoid
evoid of industry or agriculture, also depends on the
Lord Ayyappa who sits on the hill shrine. Such is the inflow of pilgrims during the two month
pilgrimage that Mandala Makaravilaku season that it plays a major role in the economy of the
state.
The present
sent controversy started when some fake Swamis and Christian Pentecostal Pastors were
arrested or investigations were initiated against them.
Kerala is also a state which has made controversy a pastime. The 100
100-percent
percent educated Kerala
public is always provided
vided with fresh controversies by newspapers and television channels. In fact,
in every five-minute
minute there is a breaking news in any one of the Kerala television channels.
Saddest part is that most of the controversies have short life and are left halfway and new
controversies take their place.
So the arrest of a fake swami opened up new revelations, more and more fake Hindu swamis were
arrested. Soon other religious heads came under the radar. Investigations were conducted against
many Christian pastors. Each day a new fake religious personality was discovered by the
channels and newspapers. Debates were carried out on channels and newspapers and finally it
ended up at Sabarimala Makaravilakku the government which conducts the hoax Makaravilaku is
equally
ly responsible for encouraging fake religious personalities was one argument.
Soon television crews and newspaper reporters dug up the Makaravilakku controversy and some
even went to the extent of trying to film the spot where the Makaravilakku is lit.
With
ith the chief priest coming out openly and stating the significance of both Makaravilaku and
Makarajyothi, the controversy should come to an end. Will it?
The people who kick up the controversy are forgetting the millions of Ayyappa devotees, who take
Vratam for 41-days
days and visit the shrine. There are millions of other Ayyappa devotees including
children and women who take the Vratam and do not visit the shrine, as women are not allowed to
visit the shrine. (yet another controversy which is presently under the consideration of the
Supreme Court.)
For example, if the shrine is visited by one hundred thousand Ayyappa devotees on the
Makaravilakku day, the rest of the two months sees one million Ayyappa devotees climbing the hill
shrine.
So no sane person will
ll buy the argument that all Ayyappa devotees come to see the Makaravilaku.
Even if the Makaravilaku does not appear, the same number of devotees will come to take the
blessings of Ayyappa. Apart from this, thousands of people visit the shrine during the 5-day
5
monthly Pooja and during the festival seasons.

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For millions of Ayyappa devotees, visiting Sabarimala Ayyappa is a spiritual quest to find out
himself and an opportunity to lessen his burden and carry home the knowledge of Tat Vam Asi '
Thou art that.'
When true realization dawns, we will be able to laugh at such controversies. Until then we will
continue debating, searching, writing and doing many more things on the topic.
Makaravilaku or the lamp that is lit in your home is meant for removing spir
spiritual
itual darkness, so that
each person can realize that he/she is the One Infinite Eternal Existence or Brahman.

Five Important Temples Dedicated to Ayyappa in Kerala

There are five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the Western Ghats in Kerala
including the famous Sabarimala Shrine. It is believed that these temples were founded by Lord
Parashurama. Dharma Shasta or Lord Ayyappa is represented in different stages of his life in
these temples. Legend has it that Lord Ayyappa passed through Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu and
Achankoil on his return to Madurai with the milk of leopardess.
In the Ayyappa temple at Kulathupuzha near Thenmala in Kollam District, Lord appears
ap
as Balaka
or child and is known as Manikantan. (more details about Kulathupuzha Ayyappa Temple)
At Aryankavu in Kollam District, Lord Ayyappa appears as a young man - Brahmachari. The
temple is closely associated with the Pandi Raja of Madurai. (m
(more
ore details about Aryankavu
Shastha Temple)
At Achankoil Sasta Temple in Pathanamthita District, the Lord appears as a Grahastha with his
two consorts Poorna and Pushkala. The idol of Ayyappa here is in Rudraksha Shila. (more details
about Achankoil Ayyappa Temple)
At Sabarimala, Lord is depicted in the Vanaprastha form. And this is the most popular shrine.
At Ponnambala Medu or Kantamala, the Lord appears as yogi and the Makaravilaku emanate
from here. (Public is not allowed to visit this part of the forest.)
It must be noted that temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa or Dharma Shasta can be found in
several parts of Kerala, in other Indian states and in foreign countries. In Kerala, even in temple
dedicated to other gods in Hindu pantheon, there will be a Sasta shrine.

Significance of the ghee-filled

filled coconut offered at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
One of the most important offering at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala is the ghee-filled
ghee
coconut. The ghee taken in the coconut is poured on the idol an
and
d the coconut is thrown into the
homakundam in front of the temple.

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Symbolically, the ghee in the coconut represents the soul. And the human body is represented
by the coconut. After the arduous trek, when a devotee stands face to face with Lord Ayyappa
Ayy

the ghee poured on the Lord symbolically represents the merging of the individual soul with the
universal soul or the Jivatma with Paramatma.
Finally, the empty coconut, which represents the body, is consumed by the fire in the
homakundam.

How to do Irumudi kettu for Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Ayyappa Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Temple carry the Irumudi a specially designed bag
with two compartments. This ceremony is referred as Kettunira or Palli Kettu. The front portion of
the bag is
s meant for keeping the puja articles and other offerings to the deities at Sabarimala. The
other compartment is meant for holding the personal belongings.
But nowadays both the compartments are filled with puja items. Earlier, the journey used to be of
two to three days and therefore people used to carry provisions in the second compartment.
Puja Items Needed:
A coconut filled with Ghee
Two coconuts
Arecanut (Supari)
Betel leaf
Coins
Turmeric Powder
Sandal
Vibhuthi (Sacred Ash)
Rose Water
Rice
Avil (Beaten rice)
Malar (Puffed rice)

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Jaggery or Small banana
Kalkandam (Sugar Candy)
Agarbathis
Camphor
Pepper (For Vavar)
Small bottle of honey (optional)
Dry grape (optional)
Towels (for personal use)
While buying the bag, make sure that it has enough space and can hold the puja items. The
kettunira ceremony is done on the day of the pilgrimage. It is conducted usually in ones own
home or at a nearby temple.
How to prepare the ghee-filled
filled coconut?
Take a small or medium sized ripe coconut. Polish the shell. Pierce a hole through anyone of the
eye of the coconut. Drain the water and leave it to dry. (This should be done a few hours before the
kettunira ceremony)
After praying to Lord Ganesha and to Ayyappa, it is time to fill the mudra coconut with ghee. This
ghee-filled
filled coconut is the main offering to Lord Ayyappa.
This should be done by the devotee visiting the shrine by chanting Swami Sharanam. After
completely filling the coconut with fresh ghee, the opening of the coconut is corked and sealed
using wax or other seals.
Filling the Front portion of the Bag:
* Rice is taken with both hands and is dropped into the front compartment of the Irumudi. This is
done three times. Some devotees put the first rice along with a betel leaf. Family members can
also fill rice in the front portion.
* The ghee-filled
filled coconut is then placed on top of the rice in the front compartment.
* Coins, money, betel leaves and arecanut are also placed on top of the rice.
* Other puja articles are separately wrapped and placed in the compartment this include
camphor, incense sticks, rose water, jaggery, sandal paste, vibhuthi.
Filling the Rear portion of the Bag:
* Two coconuts one for breaking at the time of climbing the sacred 18 steps and another for
breaking while coming out of the shrine.
* Malar, avil, turmeric powder, and kumkum are separately packed and kept for
Malikappurathamma in the rear portion.
* Pepper is taken in this compartment of Vavar Swami.
If you
ou want to fill the rear portion of the bag with personal items then these above mentioned puja
items too can be filled in the front portion. Once the Irumudi is filled, it symbolically represents the
deity and it is held reverentially and is not kept on tthe
he ground. Usually it is placed on a sheet or
wollen rug. If the journey is for more than one day, Pujas are done in the morning and evening on
the Irumudi. While walking, the Irumudi is balanced on the head.

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How to observe Sabarimala Mandala Vratham?
Lord
ord Ayyappa devotees who wish to go to Sabarimala Temple observe vratham or follow certain
austerities for one mandalam season that is 41 days. The main aim of the Mandala Kala Vratam is
to purify the mind and soul. The Mandalam season begins in the Malaya
Malayalam
lam month Vrichikam and
ends in the middle of Dhanu month.
The Mandala Vratham is also observed by many devotees who dont intent to go to Sabarimala
Temple.
Austerities followed during Mandala Vratham
* Waking up early and having a bath.
* Many people visit a nearby shrine or pray at home.
* Most devotees take food only after bath.
* Non-vegetarian
vegetarian food is totally avoided during the 41 day period.
* Devotees try to consume freshly cooked vegetarian food.
* Evening bath and visiting a shrine or puja at home is performed.
* Most devotees observe Brahmacharyam (no sex or celibacy) during the vratham period.
Those devotees going to the Sabarimala temple apart from observing the austerities wear a mala
made from
om Rudrakhsam or Tulsi beeds. This ritual is known as Maladharan. It is performed at a
temple or in ones own house after performing a simple puja. The garland is received from a
temple priest or from a guruswami or from an elderly person amidst chanting of
o Swami Saranam.
Devotees during this period wear blue, black or ochre (yellow
(yellow-orange
orange color) dress. Most devotees
do not cut their hair or shave during the Mandalam period.
Some strict Ayyappa devotees even avoid wearing footwear during this period.
Even
n after visiting the Sabarimala temple, some people complete the 41
41-day
day period of Vratham.
Some people terminate the Vratham after visiting the shrine.
Nowadays many devotees wear the garland a couple of days prior to visiting the shrine or on the
day of visiting the shrine. And several devotees dont strictly follow the traditional Vratham.
Sant Keshavadas writes in the book 'Self
'Self-Realization'
A man who practices any spiritual discipline rigidly, at any cost, is really doing tapas. The inner
meaning off tapas is burning. It burns all karmas and all ignorance. The daily practice of Sandhya
Vandana or morning and evening meditation, daily reading of the holy texts, daily chanting of the
Gayatri Mantra for a number of times, daily worshipping god, ar
are
e all tapas. If it is rigidly
practiced at least for forty days at a stretch one should certainly reach one step higher than before
in the path of truth. The Vedas declare: The foundation of all creation is tapas.
It is up to each individual whether h
he/she
e/she wants to perform the traditional austerities or not.

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Why Women Are Not Allowed In Sabarimala?

There is an ongoing debate in Hindu society on whether to allow or not to allow women in the age
group of 10 to 50 to the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Shrin
Shrine
e in Kerala. The matter is presently
under the consideration of the Supreme Court of India. Indian Young Lawyers Association and
some women advocates had filed a petition challenging the ban on the entry to women in
Sabarimala.
Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the shrine, has informed the Supreme Court that it
is against allowing entry to women.
The main reason pointed out was that worshippers visit the temple only after observing penance
for 41 days. Usually women between the age of 10 and 50 will not be physically capable of
observing `vratham' for 41 days on physiological grounds (menstruation cycle).

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