Sabarimala pilgrimage
- Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple is located at the Sabarimala Hill inside Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala. The Temple is situated at a hill top in the midst of eighteen hills at an altitude of 1260 metres above the sea level and is surrounded by mountains and dense forest.
- The dense forest around the temple is called as Poongavanam. The deity Ayyappan is called as Dharma Shasta.
- Sabarimala is one of the largest annual Pilgrimage venue kerala .
- Temple is opened for worship during the days of Mandala Pooja Mahotsavam , approximately from November 15 to December 26,
- Makara Shankranti Mahotsavam period approximately 30 December to 20 January 20 .
- Sabarimala Annual Panguni uthiram Aaaratu festival in duration of 10 days approximately March end to April First week
- The Temple is also opened during the first five of days of all Malayalam month and Onam festival Pooja
Sabarimala pilgrimage
- A few days before the departure of the pilgrimage, a “virgin Pooja” (KanniPooja) should be performed. Bhajan and collective worship should be conducted if feasible inline with their financial capabilities and offerings should be made to Ayyappan devotees and others.
- Devotees who make their first Sabarimala pilgrimage are called “Kanni Ayyappan” and those who made several pilgrimage are called “Palamakkars”.
- Irumudi Kattu Pooja should be performed at the devotee’s house or the Guru’s house or in the temple.
- Before leaving the house for pilgrimage, one should smash a coconut in front of the house and chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” and begin their pilgrimage.
- Devotees must not shave or trim their hair during the Ayyappan fasting and during the Sabarimala Pilgrimage.
- Due to the presence of wild elephants, tigers and bears in the dense forests along the way of the pilgrimage, the devotees have to go in groups.
- Devotees have to make offerings to their ancestors who passed away while bathing in the Pompeii River and pave the way for the soul peace of the ancestors.
- After having Dharsanam and after reaching home only remove the Malas. On reaching home, breaking coconut at entrance, keep the Prasadam at your Pooja place at home, take bath, do Harathi for the Prasadam with Naivedyam, distribute the Prasadam for the entire family of yours and then remove the Mala yourself, duly chanting Saranam or chanting the Manthras for the removal of Mala, if you know it. Removing the Mala en-route is not advisable.
How to begin with the Ayyappan Viratham/Fasting?
- The Devotees begin their fast on the first day of viruchigam that is approximately November 15. if Maadhaarana deferred in The first day of Viruchigam Month please look for Auspicious day.( Wednesday and Saturdays are most preferable ) .
- The Devotees can start their Sabarimala Pilgrimage after fasting for at least 41 days .
- The believers must wear Tulasimani or Rudhraksha sequence that has 108 or 54 beads in them along with an Ayyappan Portrait .
- The Maladharana is the important part of Sabarimala yatra and is to be completed by Guruswamy with with whom the Bhaktha intend to perform the Yatra.
- If Guruswamy is not available the maladharana can be completed through his Mother , Father or priest of any temple Sannidhanam.
- Once maladharaana completed devotees must offer small Guru Dhakshina and get the blessings of the Guru.
Sabarimala Fasting Rules To be Followed .
Since Mala Dharan and commencement of Vratham, the Bhaktas should take bath twice every day( if possible Cold water) in early in the morning and after Sun set and to do small pooja both the times. offer small Naivedhya to lord ( Sugar candy , Milk , fruits) Also should chant SARANAMS before and closing the Pooja.
- BRAMACHARIYAM:- Should be observed very strictly during the Vratham period till the reaching of their home after the Dharsanam and Abishekam at Sabarimala.
- The Devotees must wear clothes in one of the colours blue, black or saffron.
- Even if they are unable wear coloured clothes while performing their daily work related duties, it is imperative to wear those coloured clothing throughout the pilgrimage and during the pilgrimage.
- During the Vratham period, Bakthas should take only limited food as required to subside the hunger.
- The devotees be your daily work, you have to do for your livelihood, do it with full devotion on Lord Ayyappa and discharge it in the correct manner.
Treat all living creatures, as they are also created by the GOD, like us.
- Address all men as “Ayyappa or Swamy and ladies and girls, including your wife as “MALIGAPURAM” and boys as “Manikanta”.
- Devotees to should try to visit temples daily and attend collective Bhajans singing the praises of the Lord Ayyappan.
- Believers must not indulge themselves in stealing, gambling, lying, watching movies, Tele serials , sports, fun, excursions, drugs, smoking, etc., during the Ayyappan Viratham.
- They must avoid bed and pillows and can only sleep on the bare floor.
- They must also avoid shoes and slippers and walk bare footed but work related activities exempted .
- Devotees eating non-vegetarian foods during fasting is forbidden and must be avoided. Therefore, whenever possible devotees should have a home-cooked vegetarian diet and avoid eating outside foods as much as possible.
- When talking the devotees must begin with Sami Saranam and must end the conversation by saying Swami Saranam.
- Lust must be avoided in all three factors: Mind, Chat and Action.
- Shaving and nail cutting to be avoided
- Do not attend mourning ceremonies , funerals, childbirth ceremonies, puberty functions and weddings.
- Girls under the age of twelve who have not reached Puberty and older women who have reached Menopause period can also undertake the Sabarimala pilgrimage and it is important that all Crusaders take note of this.
- Devotees who lost someone close to the family should not go on for the Sabarimala pilgrimage for a year due to grieving period ( please follow family tradions along with the general advise )
- Devotees must entrust all the responsibilities to the Lord Ayyappan and keep only him in his or her mind and begin the pilgrimage.
Before the date of commencement of Yatra, within your financial capacity, if possible, do a small Pooja and do a small scale ANNADANAM to poor and needy people. The guidance in all the connected books clearly says that Ayyappas should do ANNADANAM to poor.
Feeding Ayyappas Bhakthas with big feast, assuming that we are satisfying Lord Ayyappa, is a great Sin, as during this period the Ayyappa Bakthas should have restricted food
Scientific Significance of Ayyappan Fasting
- Devotees must observe a compulsory fasting of 41 days before the pilgrimage which helps to purify the mind and body.
- Devotees must have their entire concentration on the Lord Ayyappan, which restricts them from having unnecessary thoughts and help them develop good habits.
- Unlike visiting other temples, devotees cannot easily visit the Sabarimala Temple. They should bathe twice, must observe cleanliness in their mind as well as body, they should not commit any kind of sins during the fast. Smoking and Drinking is completely prohibited during the fast.
- They must avoid speaking bad words, avoid anger and lust and must maintain calmness and patience.
- By adopting all the rules of the Ayyappan Fasting, the devotees are benefited by developing good habits and scientifically improves both physical and mental health.
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa