The Malayalam month of Vrishchikam brings with it the fragrance, colours and pious music of purity. The morning sun spreads over the land with a golden hue, and a mild
chill, wrapped in soothing and reassuring warmth, blankets the earth.
Chants praising Ayyappa float through the air, and the smell of incense and burning camphor wafts over in the gentle breeze.
The months of Vrishchikam and Dhanu set the stage for the annual pilgrimage to the abode of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala.
The sounds and smells of Vrishchikam fill and purify the hearts and minds of the pious as they prepare for the long journey to the hill shrine.
They observe the rituals, before they embark on the pilgrimage, seeking the meaning of the Mahavakya in Sanathana Dharma, Tat TvamAsi: thou art that—the bigger truth
that the Lord and the devotee are one.
Observance of rituals
A
pilgrimage to Sabarimala requires the devotees to purify their mind and
body. For the pilgrimage to be complete, one should observe the rituals, and
stick to the
prescribed daily routines. The pilgrimage is the
culmination of 41 days of penance, which prepares the pilgrim’s mind and
body for the tedious trip to the mountain shrine.
The seal of the Lord
The devotee should wear the mudra—or seal—of Ayyappa, ideally a chain made of tulsi (holy basil) or rudraksha beads (Rudra’s teardrops), around his neck, denoting
the beginning of his penance. Religious scholars suggest it should be worn on a Saturday or Uthram, the birth star of Ayyappa.
The chain is usually sanctified by a priest or the Guru Swamy (spiritual guide or a senior pilgrim, who leads the group to the shrine). The priest or Guru Swamy should be
given a dakshina (Vedic concept of giving a donation or payment).
Daily rituals
Once the devotee begins the observance for undertaking the pilgrimage, he should bathe twice. He should be up before the sun, and after ablutions and a shower, should
invoke the Lord in his mind, and chant Ayyappa praises. He should also perform the traditional Sandhyavandanam (ritualistic evening prayers) after taking bath.
Brahmacharya
The pilgrim should practice brahmacharya—observe abstinence, besides keeping away from menstruating women from the beginning of his 41-day penance until he
completes the pilgrimage. He should also control his emotions, especially anger.
Diet
The pilgrim should also stick to a controlled and strict vegetarian diet that too freshly cooked. He should take protein-rich food such as pulses, and plenty of vegetables
and fruits, besides keeping himself hydrated.
Appearance
The devotee is called ‘Swamy’ once he begins the penance. He should not cut his hair or clip nails during the penance. He should wear simple, single-colored clothes,
usually black, blue or saffron. While Tamils prefer blue-colored clothes—some of them even wear green, those from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh prefer black. Malayalis
usually wear saffron.
Breach of penance
The Swamy is not allowed to climb Sabarimala without observing the ritualistic penance. He should undergo purgatory rituals if the penance is breached. It could even be
done by using the holy water brought from the temple. He should perform the repentance pujas and chant Ayyappa praises 101 times for forgiveness.
Irumudikettu
Normally, the Guru Swamy prepares the irumudikettu (a specially designed twin-compartment bag, in which puja materials are carried). If the Guru Swamy is not available,
the senior priest of a temple, too, can prepare the bag. The bag is prepared in a pandal—a temporary stall—set up in the front yard of the house. The floor of the pandal
is coated and made pure with a layer of cow dung, and is decorated with plantain stem and tender coconut fronds.
The bag could even be prepared inside the house, provided the place is pure. One should not climb the 18 steps to the sanctum sanctorum at Sabarimala without the
irumudikettu.
The cost factor
An average irumudikettu would cost Rs 643. The breakup is as follows: irumudi: Rs 25; three coconuts (including one that has to be filled with ghee): Rs 60; ghee (500gm):
Rs 175; chain made of tulsi beads: Rs 25; holy ash: Rs 10; small bags (three): Rs 30; rice (three handful): Rs 20; incense sticks (2 packets): Rs 20; rosewater: Rs 10;
camphor (2 packets): Rs 20 towel: Rs 25; dhoti (black or saffron): Rs 150; flattened rice, puffed rice and jaggery: Rs 50; bananas: Rs 20; betel leaves, areca nut: Rs 3;
oil: Rs 10; lamp wicks: Rs 2. Only puja materials need to be packed in the irumudi.
Readying the kettu
The start of the pilgrimage—just before leaving—is called the keetumurukal. It is done either in a temple or the Swamy’s house. If it is done in a temple, the senior priest
will supervise the preparations. If it is at home, the pandal’s floor should be cleansed with a coat of cow dung. The pandal, on four pillars, and thatched with coconut palm
fronds, should be erected at the eastern side of the house and it should be a perfect square with each side having a length of seven kol (one kol is 72 centimetres). Its
sides can be covered with white clothes and the roof decorated with the leaves of banyan and mango trees, and flowers.
The pandal
Lord Ayyappa’s portrait, facing east, should be kept on a raised platform covered with a white dhoti or cloth. A lit traditional lamp—nilavilakku—should be placed on a
plantain leaf in front of the platform. Another plantain leaf should be kept for placing another lit lamp along with the offerings for Lord Ganapathy. The kettu, or bag, should
be filled after keeping it on a new mat.
Ghee-filled coconut
The ghee-filled coconut, an offering for Lord Ayyappa, is prepared after emptying the water inside the coconut, and cleaning its shell of every strands of the husk.
Packing the bag
The kettu is packed and tied in front of a lit traditional lamp, accompanied by Ayyappa chants. A dakshina, or coin, for the past generations is kept on a betel leaf, which
will also have an areca nut. Before placing the dakshina, all materials that are to be packed in the bag should be kept ready. Since plastic is banned in Sabarimala, it is
better to pack in paper or smaller cloth bags. While packing and filling ghee into the coconut, Ayyappa chants should be said louder. The pilgrim himself should pour ghee
first, and once it is filled, the coconut should be sealed with cork and wet pappad. Rice should be placed on the coconut three times with prayers to the provider Lord. In
the irumudikettu, the first compartment—which comes in the front—is for puja materials and the second for packing food.
Dakshina
Once the irumudikettu has been packed, the Swamy should give dakshina to his parents and elders in the family, before giving it to the Guru Swamy. Though there is no
fixed amount, the Guru Swamy is paid the dakshina according to the pilgrim’s financial capability.
Carrying the kettu
The irumudikettu is carried on the head. Before placing it, the pilgrim clad in black or saffron, covers his head with a cloth and offers prayers. The Guru Swamy ties a
black cloth around the pilgrim’s waist, as the latter faces east. The kettu is placed on the head with Ayyappa chants.
Indicative sign
A good indicative sign (shakunam) is a must to ward off any danger that may befall the pilgrim en route the shrine. To ensure the good sign, the mother or grandmother of
the pilgrim stands in the front courtyard of the house, holding a lit lamp.
What to carry
·
∙Shoulder bag: it should contain frequently needed things Bedsheet, mat and kuthuvilakku (traditional lamp with a bird—mostly swan--on its top)
·
∙The irumudikettu is carried on the folded bedsheet carried on the head. Pilgrims from other states are seen keeping the kettu wrapped in the bedsheet.
·
∙The weather in Pampa and Sannidhanam is usually cold. It is better to keep medicines for fever
·
∙Balms to soothe pain caused by constant walking
·
∙ Those with heart conditions and suffering from diabetes and blood pressure should carry all the prescribed medicines
·
∙ A vessel for offering ghee at the temple. The vessel should be large enough to contain the ghee all pilgrims in the group brings
·
∙ The sale of bottled drinking water is banned by the high court. Carry enough water
