We are hours away from entering DIVINE MANDALAKALAM.....& Let's Remember.........
Dos and Dont' DOs while Observing Sabarimala Austerities.....&....... Things to know during Ayyapa Puja
Certain things in life are inherited from the traditions followed since ages without even they being written anywhere but passed on from generations to generations by following and practicing what is deemed right, righteous and religiously required and without questioning.
Kerala and its traditional temples were known for their orthodox and highly traditional and conservative existence known from time immemorial to mankind. The sanctity and purity of these rituals make this an endearing saga and gives an enriched way of life. We all cannot be saints all through our life, but these norms make us to be living a divine,purposeful and meaningful times at least during those days when we follow some religious path towards saturation. Lord Ayyapa is a symbol of beginning and end, being the son of Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva….and also being a celebacy God , is said to be following the most difficult and toughest of rituals in offering prayers to him. Every step of this prayer have a meaning and a scientific reason if only you look deeper into it. Mostly this is in line with what Muslims follow during Ramzan fasting and Christians during Lent days….every religion has certain things that tie up to a one single path of realizing God in any form….a supreme, unseen and unheard form of existence.
41 days of diskha(Austerity) is like a tapas. The do’s and don’t’DO s are set to keep the focus on the God and his ultimate goals of cleansing the human mind, physical body and inner soul. This puja actually creates a vibrations for better living and character recheck of the people. Though most of the process may seem difficult, the path is rough....tough , yet the happiness of doing this makes it easy and attainable. As an ardent devotee of Sri. Ayyappa, who only remembers in the Ayyappa and takes refuge in him , I thought this season of Sabrimala, is a time to recap some do’s and don’t’s...fior the benefit of all Sri.Ayyappa Devotees
The list of things to know during Sabarimala Austerity.....
1. Wear black clothes only. You can wear dark blue or orange once you complete few years of pilgrimage to sabarimala. The reason being that Ayappa having offered that his devotees will pay due respects to him and as well as to Sani Bhagawan during the austerity so that he would not trouble them. Wearing footwear is also may be avoided and washing feet before entering house or any place is required.
2. Start and end the day by taking bath twice with head shower with cold water. Initially this would be difficult but being clean is next to godliness. Using fragrances is avoided and using home made products is recommended.
3. Eating self cooked or clean cooked food in separate utensils have to be practiced. Ladies cooking the food have to be clean and free from biological odds etc.. . Food have to be vegetarian and full meal only during lunch. Evening prasadam should be a light meal and fruits.
4. Sleeping on the floor is a must and you can use bedsheet or blankets as needed.
5. Who can observe this austerity? And Why?......................
a. Men of all ages can take up this austerity.
b. Women who have not attained puberty and who are elderly and have had their menopause.
c. This restriction is to follow the tradition that Ayyapa is a bramacharya (Celebacy God) and to maintain the focus and sanctity of the tradition followed in this temple.
6. Following bachelor or brahmacharya life through out this austerity. This would keep the devotees focused on the rituals and on God.
7. Chant loudly sarana goshaam or Ayyapa saranam vili everyday morning and evening. People going together in the Sabarimala piligrimage keep telling this loudly during travel to make things easy, keep energy up and also to keep the fear of animals and darkness away.
8. No indulging in arguments, vulgar talks or watching movies. Keep practicing devotional songs and attend ayyapa bajans as much as possible keep the austerity in tact.
9. Follow meditation to keep you calm and follow all the rituals with ease.
10. Conduct Ayyapa puja at home at least once and offer Annadhanam to poor during this pooja. Having a Guruswamy do this at home is a blessing and making panchamrutham without even smelling the ingredients before offering to god is important. Annadhanam is a important ritual and if not possible at home, you can distribute food to poor near the temples as well.
11. Practice austerity during the full mandalam of 41 days. Lot of people these days due to convenience do this for few days which is not right or maladaranam only during the pilgrimage. This will not give full benefits and it is important that giving time cleaning the mind and body during the puja days is very important.
12. First time travelers to sabarimala are called Kanniswamies and they follow that they are driving by the sarana gosham and not with the help of stick as they climb the forest hills to sabarimala. Stop at Erumely and play pettatullal (carnival dance) before proceeding to sabarimala. The first arrow from Erumely to be placed in Saramkuthi alayam. There is a story that the year when there is no saramkuti from the first time traveler to sabarimala, that is when Lord Ayyapa will get married…..and the waiting continues but devotees don’t stop coming to Sabarimala
13. Do not indulge in any wrong doings, accepting bribes, indulging in violence or talking foul language. Do not drink or smoke.
14. Keeping modest way of life is the way to perform this puja. Don’t indulge in showing wealth during bhajans or puja at home. In the eyes of God, everyone is equal
15. Have all ingredients required for Irumudi and attend the irumudhi function with poise. As the family puts behind rice in your bag as you start to sabarimala, it means that you are actually leaving behind all your entanglements of life, including relationships and materialistic well being and surrendering yourself to God.
16. Keeping away from attending death ceremonies, funerals and women during this time is required. In this austerity, one is far above all that is free from any kind of emotional entanglements and it is only to indicate that no one is above destiny and their own karma.
17. Visiting any local temple during the puja days once is recommended. You will find In every corner of the street have Ganesha temples that can be visited.
18. Following all puja norms for mala removing after the pilgrimage is also recommended, It is not right to remove the mala once visit is completed before the 41 days is completed. And it has to be done with the help of a Guruswamy only or in the ayyapa temple when the austerities are completed.
My own experience with the Lord Ayyappa in 42 years of completed pilgrimage climbing up THE HOLY 18 STEPS with IRUMUDI...... is that whoever believes in him, he will take care of them….Who ever tries to test this whole thing and do it for name sake and try to not mind any of these is also not forgiven. The meaning is that don’t do something that you cant do with 100% dedication. Even if it means a prayer to God!
May Lord Ayyapan bless you all for the healthy, wealthy and problem free life................ Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.
PS....With request to share this with your friends.
J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA
"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE
WE BREATHE TO THINK"
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