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Lord Manikandhan
Rituals and Customs
The main pilgrim seasons of Sabarimala are Mandala Pooja and Makara Vilakku.These seasons are from November 14 to Januvary 20.
The temple will close for 5 days after Mandala Pooja and will reopen for Makara Vilakku.The most wonerful moment is "Makara Vilakku"
celebrations on Makara Sankranthi.On this day,Swami Ayyappa's idol is adorned with Thiruvabharanam(Divine ornaments) brought from Pandalam
Palace.An eagle will follow the Thiruvabharana rally.After reaching the temple it will round the temple 3 times and fly away.Then the temple's
door will be closed for Deeparadhana and will be reopened.At this time,a star named Makara Jothi will be appearing on the sky and Makara Vilakku
will be appearing on the Ponnambalamedu.The rush of the pilgrims is so much high on this day.
Onam and Vishu are also so special seasons. The flow of the pilgrims are less in other monthly opening
days. This is because of the traveling problems.
The atmosphere of the temple is more peaceful. The plgrims will get a lot of
peace. That's why the number of pilgrims are increased each year.
The devotees must take vritham (austerity) for going to
Sabarimala. Normally 41 days of vrithum is taken by the devotees. The
devotees take the vrithum
by wearing a Thulasimala or Rudrakshamala with Mudra (Locket of Lord
Ayyappa) .The devotees are wearing this mala from the temple from the temple priest.
Traditional Dekshina (tribute to the priest) is given to the priest before
accepting the mala. The devotee is called as Ayyappan till his mala is removed
on the completion of pilgrimage. The devotees under the age of 10 or above 60 are given permission for visiting
Sabarimala. These female devotee is called
as Malikapurathamma.
Guruswami is the one who take leadership of the pilgrimage.
Guruswami is the one who climbed the Pathinetam Padi
18 times or more. The pilgrimage was undertaken only once in a year in the old days.That is 18 pilgrimage means
18 years of devotion. Simplicity and holy thoughts are the parts of
vritham. The soul, mind and body should be kept pure. Total self-denial of
alcohol, tobacco and non-vegetarian food is fixed. Hair cutting, shaving
etc are also
banned.
Pilgrims must be pray daily in the morning and in the evening after taking the
bath. The devotees will continue
their vritham till they visit Sabarimala. They are wearing black\blue saffron
clothes. The devotee cannot climb
the 18 steps without take the proper vritham. No pilgrim expect the Royal Family of
Pandalam, is permitted to
climb the Pathinettampadi without carrying an Irumudi. Those without
Irumudikettu (head load of offerings and
provisions) cannot enter the temple through the holy 18 steps. The Irumudi is filled at the
temple. Irumudikettu
is divided into two parts. The front and rear pouch. The front pouch is marked with the symbol OM for
identification. The front pouch is filled with coconuts filled with
ghee, camphor, rice, kadali, aval, pori, Bhasmam,
(scared ash), kumkumam (vermilion), turmeric powder, jaggery,
kalkandam (candied sugar) and coins of Dekshina. The
rear pouch of the Irumudikettu is filled with the items which are used by the devotees for their
personal use.
Blankets and bed sheets are also be carried.
When the pilgrim is going to Sabarimala. he breaks a coconut near his door
steps. An oil lamp is placed on this stone. One of the family member is lights this
lamp, till the pilgrim returns home after the pilgrimage. This is
doing for the safe return of the pilgrim. When the pilgrim returns, he
breaks a coconut at the same spot to
signify the end of the pilgrimage. Then he unloaded the Irumudi and remove the
mala. This is the last ritual of
the pilgrimage.
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