Irumudi kettu Procedure
Sabarimala Pilgrimage – Kettunira or Palli Kattu
Irumudi (literally meaning Iru = two and Mudi = Knot/Bundle) is the second most significant material process after Mala dharana (material process differentiated from Vrata Anushtanas, which is essential and mandatory spiritual practice explained previously).
In the Irumudi front compartment is called as Munmudi (the bundle in the front) This has offerings for Lord Ayyappa and other Deities in Sannidhanam.
The rear compartment called Pinmudi (the bundle at the rear) has the ingredients meant for Pilgrim’s use enroute. Tying of this together signifies binding of the Bhakta with Ayyappa. and non-duality between devotee & devoted.
They become a single Whole and are no longer two different entities.
Munmudi Circled in Red, Pinmudi in Yellow
Ingredients of Irumudi
- Mudra Coconut/Theniganakayi/Thenga
- Ghee
- Kaani Ponnu (a Coin as offering)
- Betel leaf and Nuts
- Defibred Coconut (with water) – 4 nos
- Turmeric Powder
- Kumkum Powder
- Viboothi
- Camphor
- Agarbatti
- Rice
- Jaggery
- Honey
- Paddy grains to donate for Vellari Naivedhyam
Item 1-4 is offered to Lord Ayyappa,
Item 5 (1 coconut for breaking at Pamba ganapathi ,1 Cocunut 18 Holy steps while ascending , 1 coconut for Malikapurattama and 1 for breaking at 18 Holy steps before we leave Sannidhanam after all processes).
Item 6-10 is for Malikappuram
8- For Bhakta – own use
Item 9-10 is for performing and offering Karpoora Deepam.
Item 11-14 Rice This is offered to Temple Authorities for preparation of Payasam or Vellari Naivedyam)
Mudra Coconut:Process of preparing to fill the Ghee:
The Coconut that is defibred and cleaned, water removed and Ghee filled during the Irumudi Kattu process.
Extremely important offering for Lord Ayyappa as this is the coconut into which we fill Ghee for performing Abhishekam to the moorthi of the Lord.
Defibring Coconut: The cocunut soaked to soften. It is then scrubbed against rough surface like stone till the fibres are completed removed and smoothened.
Defibring Coconut. Soaked in water after defibring.
Those days when we had to soak the Coconut in water and keep scraping the coconut on rough surface like flat stone for atleast 15-20 minutes. It is this simple and quick now
The defibred coconut easily develops crack if not soaked in water, once defibring is done coconut is soaked in water well until it is ready for draining of water within.
Piercing one of the three eyes of the coconut.
Draining the coconut water after piercing the eye.
Once the water totally drained, it is kept upside down to ensure it is completely drained.
Defibred and drained Coconut kept for ensure complete removal of water.
Mudra Coconut or Thenginakai or Thenga is now ready for filling of Ghee during the Irumudi process
Significance of Mudra Coconut Thenginakkayi or Thuppada Kayi or Nei Thenga:
Coconut represents the Human body that needs to be maintained in highest levels of purity since the Lord is Shuddha Chaitanya.
Each Mudra Coconut signifies Physically, mentally and spiritually cleansed devotee who himself is called Ayyappa throughout, signifying oneness with the Lord and Lord not differentiating the devotee from Himself.
Defibring signifies removal of external or physical impurities.
The draining of sweetened water symbolizes the cleansing of inner sensual pleasures.
Thus the container, the Body is now ready to accept and get filled with Life Source.
Filling of Ghee into Mudra Coconut (Called Nirakkal):
Ghee in general is used in most rituals due to it’s inherent Satvik qualities.
Ghee is believed to have got created when Prajapati, churned it with his hands, and used it to spawn his own offspring.
In short, ghee is tied into the most fundamental life forces.
Thus filling of Ghee into defibred and sweet water drained coconut signifies a Bhakta purified at all levels of Existence and also complete state of surrender to the Lord Sree Dharma Sastha in Sabarimala.
The Ghee is removed from the coconut by carefully breaking it and offered to Lord Ayyappa for Abhishekam and the coconut is offered to the fires of Homa Kunda.
This symbolises mortality and limits of physical body which is perishable, but cleansed inner self in the form of Ghee reaches and merges with the God.
Irumudi kettu Nira Process:
A basic puja is performed to Lord Ganesha and Ayyappa and other Deities and a Mangalarati is offered to the lamp in front of which the Kettu nira is performed.
It is always done by the Pilgrim under the guidance of a Guruswamy, who plays a critical role in the entire process.
While the Irumudi kettu is in process, Continuous Sharana Ghoshams are chanted by the team and all present there.
Mangalarathi to set the process in motion
Generally, during a pilgrimage as a group, Irumudi kettu nira starts with the Kanni Swami (the first time Sabarimala Pilgrim, if there are many, youngest among them starts).
Guruswamy helping the Kanni Swamy to fill the Mudra Coconut with Ghee
For those who cannot make the Pilgrimage for any reason, they can take a vow to send the Ghee filled coconut through one of the pilgrims.
As a rule a Kanni Swami cannot carry extra Mudra Coconut. In case any of his/her family members have taken a vow, someone else in the group will carry it in the Irumudi on their behalf.
Mudra Coconut being filled as a part of the vow.
In a designated sequence, each of the ingredients are filled into the Irumudi bag/sanchi and knotted by the Guruswamy into a shape that can be easily carried on the head of the pilgrim.
Filling of rice:
Importance of offering rice in Irumudi.
In the olden days, in dense forests from Erumeli to Sabarimala, there were no means of food other than what is carried by the pilgrims. The entire family of the Bhakta offers a handful of rice into Irumudi and that is used enroute at camps to make fire and cook as their food.These days, the rice is exchanged in Sannidhanam for Vellari Naivedyam (White cooked rice) which is consumed as Prasada by the Devotee.Once, all the ingredients are filled into the Irumudi sanchi, Guruswamy performs the kettu, or knotting,
Handing over completed Irumudi Kettu from Viri:
This completes the Irumudi Kettu Process. Last person to perform the Nira and Irumudi Kettu is Guruswamy himself and thereafter a mangalarati is performed to all the Irumudis that are arranged (called the Viri)
Arati to all Irumudi that are in the Viri
Once all the processes are over, Guruswamy in the same order of Filling (Nira) places the Irumudi of the Pilgrim on their head.
The Pilgrim offers a Dakshina to the Guruswamy prior to this and the pilgrim departs from the venue backwards, in order not to show his back to them lamp.
Kettu Enthal or carrying of Irumudi
A coconut is broken on the stone as we set off from venue of Irumudi kettu
And the Vahana Puja is performed once all pilgrims have boarded and they set off on to the Pilgrimage with continuous Sharana Ghoshams
We also have a practice of lighting a lamp to the stone on which the Coconut is broken during departure, every morning and evening by the family members.
All conditions, reverence that is accorded to the Swamis on Vrat is accorded to this stone.
This stone represents the entire group of pilgrims that have embarked on pilgrimage and the pilgrimage is considered over once they return and break a coconut on the same stone.
Swami saranam
