What is Mandala Vratha?
Read this article to know about the Mandala Vratha or austerity measures to be observed by the devotees to undertake the pilgrimage to Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. It gives an insight as to the various aspects of the vrathas to be followed and the daily routine of the devotees during the vratha period.
Start of Vratha - austerity
The Vrath starts on the day the devotee wear a mala (garland) either Thulasi Mala made of beads made out of Thulasi stem or a Rudraksha Mala (garland made out of Rudraksha beads) with a locket of Lord Ayyappan. This is known as Vratha Mudra Mala. This is to be accepted only after taking bath and doing traditional pooja of the family to the deity of the village or area, family deity etc wearing the wet cloth consequent of taking bath. On the first occasion at least and at all other occasions if possible, the mala is to be accepted from the priest of a temple or a Guru Swami also called the Periya swami. The Guru/Periya swami is one who has visited the Sabarimala temple several times and who can guide others on all matters of Sabarimala pilgrimage. The Mala will be sanctified in a temple or by special puja and then only given to the devotee. The devotee accepting and wearing the Mala gives a Dakshina (offering to the Guru) to the Guru/Periya swami. Once the devotee wears the Mala he is called as 'Ayyappan' or 'Swami'. He/she is identified with the Lord. The Mala has to be worn at sunrise facing East direction – facing the sun. As soon as the Mala is put on the neck, the devotee has to break a coconut to the deity of Ganapathi (Ganesha, Vinayaka, and Vigneswara) to ward off any obstacles for the Vratha observance. When the mala is accepted from the preist/Guru/Periya swami the devotee has to prostrate him and get the blessings from him. If the devotee has gone many times to Sabarimala and did puja and worn the same without a guru he should mentally respect and remember a Guru or the Lord Ayyappan. Daily life cycle of pilgrim
He/she should get up at Brahma Muhurth (between 4 and 5 am) in the morning attend morning calls and take bath and go to a temple and worship the deity and at home also do Bhajans or render slokas on Lord Ayyappan and various other deities, concentrate on spiritual aspects and Lord Ayyappan as far as possible and control the mind from going over to sensual aspects. The pilgrim should not use or think of issues which make one arrogant, haughty or obstinate. The dress should be black or dark blue as far as possible. At least at home the dress code has to be strictly observed. Daily lunch and at night light Tiffin only should be taken as food. Previous days left over or non vegetarian food, tobacco or hot drinks etc are strictly prohibited. The person should maintain utmost patience, compassion and sympathy with others and should never enter into argument or adventurous activities. Kettu Nirakkal (filling the pouches)
When the pilgrim is to start the journey to Sabarimala for Ayyappan darsanam he/she should do the important function of 'Kettu Nirakkal' (arranging things in the special bags/Irumudi Kettu). The Kettu or the cloth bag is known as Irumudi Kettu or Pallikettu. For the Kettu Nirakkal there is special type of cotton cloth with both ends having bag like stitching with a cloth twine attached to each end to tie the bag like portions. Since it consists of 2 portions it is called as the Irumudi Kettu. The Kettu Nirakkal is a pooja procedure though there is no strict format. The procedures will change from place to place. The color will be black, blue, saffron, red or white. There are some minimum items to be kept in each of the bag like portions at the ends. The items are readily available in packed condition. But it is preferred to not to buy the readymade packets as they may not be properly cleaned and sorted. Out of the Irumudi (two pouches or twin bags) one is mun kettu (frontal mudi) and the other is Pinmudi. In the Mun kettu all items to be offered to the Lord and other deities are to be packed. This consist of the Mudra thenga (sacred coconut – coconut for opened to remove the water and fill ghee in the hollow) and other pair coconuts for breaking while climbing up the 18 steps and after climbing down the steps (pathinettu padi), raw rice, a small piece of gold, silver or copper, jiggery ball (big achu Vellam), puffed rice pack, turmeric powder, betel leaves with pieces of areca nuts, etc. Each of these items is to be separately packed and kept in the mun mudi. In the pin Kettu (back pouch) boiled rice, hard rice balls, camphor, sacred ash, sandal powder to make paste, 3 coconuts are to be kept. The rituals of Kettu nira
There is no fixed rule made on the issue. But generally the procedure is to offer puja first to Ganapathi, then the Guru (teacher) and Family deity. After this the items to be filled the bags/pouches are cleansed by lightly sprinkling holy water made by chanting mantras and flowers. After this the filling of the Mudra thenga (insignia coconut) is filled with the ghee for Abhishekam of the Lord at Sabarimala and sealed to make it leak proof. A devotee who has gone to Sabarimala in the proper way for 18 times can be a Guru Swami. The filling is to be done by the devotee after touching the feet of the Guru and parents or those in that position. Just at the start of the journey before going out of the premises a coconut is to be broken. Coconut breaking is done by forcefully throwing it on to a very hard surface like a strong granite piece. On return after the darsanam before entering the house a coconut has to be broken. The lady of the house would light a lamp in the pooja room/place of the house before the devotee enters the house. The devotee is not supposed to take bath in the Pampa River while returning from the temple. If it is done it is believed that the presence of the Lord on his darsanam will get away. The pilgrim should bathe after reaching home only so that the presence of the lord is at home and not lost in between.
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