Sabarimala Mandala Vratham

Lord Ayyappa devotees who wish to visit Sabarimalai, 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 Malayalam month Vrichikam and ends in the middle of Dhanu month. The Mandala Vratham is observed by many devotees who don’t intend to go too.

Rules for Sabarimala Mandala Vratham

Those who wish to visit sabarimala should start wearing the mala either on first of Tamil month Karthigai or before 19th of that month. One need not see the auspiciousness of the day if one is to wear mala on 1st of karthigai. To wear mala on other days other than 1st one should check the auspiciousness of that day. In any case, one should observe viratha for 41 days.  The Mala may be made of either tulasi beads or rudraksha beads and should have 54 beads with a dollar of ayyappa attached to it.

With the blessings of one’s parents, by performing a pooja in a temple by a guruswami and to be worn through his hands. If guruswami is not available, put the mala at the feet of god, perform pooja through an archaka(priest}, and considering ayyappa as guru, one can wear by himself. If any of these are not possible one should consider his mother as a representative of god, and after getting her blessing, one should wear the mala through her hands. After wearing one should control anger, jealousy and enmity. One should move with neighbours without enmity and with love, friendship, and humility. One should see all creations as god himself. One should take bath both before sunrise and in the evening in cold water. One should visit nearby temple or in one’s own house recite ayyappa saranams and pray. One should wear dhoti made of blue, black, green or saffron (kavi) colour. Brahmacharya vratha (celibacy) should be strictly and fully adhered to. Mala should not be removed from the neck for any reason or what so ever.

If there is death to any of blood-relations, first go to guruswami and only through him, mala should be removed and then join in the condolences. Due to any reason mala is removed one should not visit Sabarimala that year, should not attend puberty functions or childbirth functions. One should also completely give up drinking alcohol and eating non-vegetarian food and smoking. One can eat in another ayyappa vratha observing devotees house and in all other houses only milk and fruits can be taken. During the vratha period, if women of the house are in their monthly cycle, they can start cooking only after seven days. Do not wear shoes/chappals during the vratha period.  Kanni swamy (those who go to sabarimala for the first time) can perform poojas in their houses and perform annadhanam for ayyappa devotees and poor people.  All ayyappa devotees either male or female one comes across should be considered as ayyappa / malikapurathamman respectively. Before stating conversations with others first, say swami saranam and then talk. Before taking leave off at the end of conversation once again say swami saranam. Pooja to the Irumudi kattu (the bundle with two parts to be carried on the head) should be performed at the residence of guruswamy or in a temple.

Before commencing sabarimala yatra one should not say ‘I take leave of you’ to anyone. While bathing at Pampa river one should think of one’s deceased forefathers and pray for their sathgathi and then take bath. After the yatra is over before entering the home with Irumudi in one’s head break a coconut at the entrance of the house and then only enter the house. Perform puja for the Irumudi kattu, open the kattu and distribute the prasadams.

Having completed the yatra in a nice and sweet way, by reciting the mantra, mala should be removed by one’s mother or guruswamy. It should be immersed in the sandal paste, kept before Ayyappa picture and deeparathana performed. With this, the vratham comes to an end.