Ayyappa Mandalam Season

Deeksha (also called vratham) is the sacred vow a devotee takes before going to Sabarimala. It begins the moment you wear the mala and continues until you return from the pilgrimage and remove it. Traditionally it lasts 42 days, which is one mandalam.

During Deeksha you live as a disciplined devotee. The usual observances are:

• Bathing twice a day (morning and evening) and praying to Lord Ayyappa after each bath.
• Eating only simple vegetarian (sattvic) food, with no meat, fish, eggs, alcohol or tobacco.
• Practising strict celibacy (brahmacharya) in thought, words and actions.
• Wearing black, blue or saffron clothes.
• Not shaving, cutting hair or trimming nails.
• Walking barefoot and, traditionally, sleeping on the floor or a mat.
• Speaking gently, avoiding anger, gossip and arguments.
• Addressing every other devotee as "Swamy" (and women as "Malikappuram" or "Mataji"), because during the vratham every devotee is seen as a form of Ayyappa.

The aim is to purify the body and mind so that you climb the holy 18 steps (Pathinettam Padi) in the right spirit. The Deeksha ends after you return home, when the mala is removed with a small prayer, usually at a temple or in front of your Guruswamy.

A Guruswamy (also called Guru Swamy) is a senior devotee who has completed the Sabarimala pilgrimage many times, traditionally at least 18 years, and who guides other devotees through the Deeksha and the yatra. He usually leads a group of devotees on the pilgrimage, and for a Kanni Swamy (first-time pilgrim) his guidance is especially important.

The role of the Guruswamy in Ayyappa worship:

• Places the mala on the devotee with prayers, marking the start of the Deeksha.
• Teaches the rules of the vratham and helps devotees keep them correctly, answering their doubts along the way.
• Conducts the Kettunira (Irumudi Kettu) ceremony, where the Irumudi is filled and placed on the devotee’s head.
• Leads the group on the pilgrimage, guiding the Saranam chanting and the customs at Erumeli, Pamba and the Sannidhanam.
• Removes the mala at the end of the pilgrimage, completing the vratham.

Devotees treat their Guruswamy with deep respect, touching his feet and offering dakshina, because he is seen as the link between the devotee and Lord Ayyappa. By passing on what he has learned from his own Guru, he keeps the traditions of Sabarimala alive from one generation of Swamys to the next.

Welcome, Kanni Swamy! Here is the usual path:

1. Find a Guruswamy. This is an experienced devotee who has made the pilgrimage many times. He will guide you through the rules, help prepare your Irumudi, and usually leads your group to Sabarimala. If you don't have one, see Question 5.
2. Pick your start date. Count back 42 days from the day you plan to have darshan.
3. Buy the mala and clothes. The mala is usually made of tulsi or rudraksha beads (108 or 54) with an Ayyappa locket. Also get two or three sets of black, blue or saffron clothes.
4. Wear the mala. On the chosen day, take a bath, go to an Ayyappa temple (or any temple), and have your Guruswamy or the temple priest place the mala around your neck while you recite the Mala Dharana mantra. Some families do this at home in front of the puja room, with parents giving the mala.
5. Begin the Deeksha rules from that moment.
6. Join group bhajans and pujas during the 42 days, and attend as many as possible. They are a big part of the experience.
7. Prepare the Irumudi with your Guruswamy before you leave for Sabarimala. Kanni Swamys traditionally have a few extra customs (such as the Kanni puja), and your Guruswamy will explain these.

During the vratham, devotees set aside their everyday clothes and wear simple black, blue or saffron clothes, usually a mundu or veshti with a shirt or a towel over the shoulder. The colours carry meaning:

• Black. The most common choice. Black stands for giving up worldly pleasures and ego. It is also linked with Lord Shani, and tradition holds that wearing black during the vratham shields the devotee from Shani’s harsh influence.
• Blue. Usually dark blue, an accepted alternative to black with the same meaning of simplicity and detachment.
• Saffron (kavi). The colour of sannyasa (renunciation). It shows that the devotee is living like an ascetic for the period of the vow, and is often preferred by senior devotees.

Whatever the colour, the clothes make every devotee look alike, rich or poor, so that all stand equal before Ayyappa as “Swamy”. They also remind the devotee, and everyone around him, that he is under a sacred vow.

This is common, and it shouldn't stop you from taking the vratham. Devotees in your position usually do one of the following:

• Go to a temple. Any Ayyappa temple will have a priest who places malas for devotees during the season, often on the first day of Vrishchikam. You don't need to know him beforehand; you can just walk in. If there's no Ayyappa temple nearby, a priest at any Hindu temple (Ganesha, Shiva, Murugan or Vishnu) can do it.
• Have a parent or elder do it. In many families, the mother or father places the mala around the devotee's neck in front of the home puja room. This is considered just as sacred.
• Wear it yourself before Ayyappa. Take a bath, light a lamp in front of a picture of Lord Ayyappa, place the mala at his feet, pray, and then wear it yourself while reciting the Mala Dharana mantra or simply chanting "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa." Tradition holds that Ayyappa himself is the ultimate Guru, so devotees in this situation accept him as their Guru.

Even if you wear the mala on your own, try to join a local Ayyappa bhajan group or a group travelling to Sabarimala during your 42 days. An experienced Swamy is important for the practical parts: preparing your Irumudi (kettu nira), Kanni Swamy customs, and guiding you on the trek. Ayyappa temples and Ayyappa seva sanghams can usually connect you with a group. If you live outside India, ask at your local Hindu temple.

Most devotees wear the mala on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam, which falls in mid-November. This lines up the 42 days with the Mandala Pooja in late December.

You don't have to start on that exact day, though. The general rule is to start 42 days before the day you plan to visit Sabarimala. For example, if your group plans to go for Makaravilakku in mid-January, you would start around the first week of December. Choose an auspicious day suggested by your Guruswamy and confirm the date with him.

Yes. You can begin the observances of the vratham, such as vegetarian food, celibacy, bathing twice a day and daily prayer, before the mala is placed on you. Some devotees do this for a few days to prepare themselves, or when constraints such as travel keep them from reaching their Guruswamy or a temple right away.

Talk to your Guruswamy to plan your start date (count back 42 days from the day of your yatra) and fix a day with him to wear the mala.

The traditional and recommended period is 42 days, and many Guruswamys insist on it, especially for a Kanni Swamy going to climb the 18 steps with an Irumudi.

You can also observe Deeksha for more than 42 days if you wish. Some devotees go to Sabarimala several times a year and stay in an extended period of vratham across those visits.

Anything shorter than 42 days is not the full vratham. If your work or family situation makes the full 42 days difficult, discuss your constraints with your Guruswamy; do not decide on your own.

If a full vratham is not possible this year, you can also visit Sabarimala for darshan without the mala and Irumudi. You simply cannot climb the holy 18 steps; you use the alternate path instead.

Clothes

Traditionally, devotees wear black, dark blue or saffron (kavi) clothes for the whole period. A dhoti (veshti/mundu) with a shirt or towel (angavastram) is the traditional dress.

For office or work, many Swamies wear dark-coloured formal clothes (trousers and shirt) so they still follow the colour rule while meeting their workplace dress code. Keep clothes simple, clean and modest, and change into traditional dress at home and at the temple.

Shoes and chappals

Traditionally, devotees walk barefoot for the entire 42 days as an act of humility and discipline.

Practically, many working Swamys need footwear, for example for safety reasons at factories, construction sites, labs, hospitals, or because of a long commute. Common approaches are:

• Go barefoot at home, at the temple, and wherever else you reasonably can.
• If your workplace requires safety shoes, wear them. Safety comes first, and most Guruswamys accept this.
• Remove footwear as soon as you no longer need it, and wash your feet before prayers.
• Avoid leather footwear if possible.
• Tell your Guruswamy about your work situation when you take the mala so he can guide you.

Traditionally, no. During Deeksha devotees do not shave, cut their hair or trim their nails. This is a sign of giving up attention to physical appearance during the vratham. You can resume after the pilgrimage, when the mala is removed.

If your job has a strict grooming requirement, discuss it with your Guruswamy. Some allow limited exceptions, but the default is no shaving.

Traditionally, the whole household follows a vegetarian diet while a Swamy is observing Deeksha, and eggs count as non-vegetarian. Many families also avoid alcohol and smoking at home during this period, because the Swamy's surroundings are expected to stay pure.

Yes. Many devotees outside India do this, and it is a widely accepted practice. Still, nothing can replace going to Sabarimala and climbing the holy 18 steps.

Wearing the mala and observing the vratham is no problem anywhere in the world. The 42-day Deeksha is a personal discipline, and many Ayyappa devotees abroad observe it fully while living and working overseas.

Irumudi without going to Sabarimala is where practice varies. Traditionally, the Irumudi is made for the Sabarimala pilgrimage: you carry it on your head up the holy 18 steps, and the ghee-filled coconut is offered to Ayyappa there. Outside India, many Hindu temples with an Ayyappa shrine hold an Irumudi ceremony during the Mandalam season, often around Mandala Pooja or Makaravilakku. Devotees prepare the Irumudi (kettu nira) with the temple priest and carry it into the temple (some temples set up symbolic 18 steps for this). The ghee is offered for abhishekam to the Ayyappa vigraha, and the mala is then removed at the temple, completing the vratham.

How it is viewed:

• Many priests and Guruswamys see this as a sincere and valid way to complete your vow when travel to India isn't possible. The devotion and discipline of the 42 days are what matter most.
• Some traditionalists believe the full Irumudi pilgrimage can only be completed at Sabarimala. Devotees who share this view observe the vratham locally and complete it with a temple offering without an Irumudi, saving the Irumudi for when they can travel to Sabarimala.

What to do next:

• Contact Hindu temples near you and ask whether they hold a Mandala Pooja or Irumudi ceremony and whether they have an Ayyappa shrine. Many temples outside India do, and they usually announce dates around October or November.
• Ask the priest how they guide first-time devotees. They can help you wear the mala, prepare the Irumudi, and remove the mala at the end.
• Ask about local Ayyappa devotees or bhajan groups. They often organise these ceremonies together.

In many traditional homes, the Swamy keeps some distance from women in the household during their periods, as part of the purity rules of the vratham. How strictly this is followed varies a lot between families and regions. Common practical arrangements include:

• The Swamy or another family member looks after the puja room and lamp during those days.
• The Swamy prepares his own food, or another family member cooks for him.
• Separate sleeping arrangements, which are simple since the Swamy already sleeps on the floor or a mat.
• Keeping separate plates and utensils for the Swamy, if your family follows this custom.

In the past, devotees in Kerala often stayed in the temple mandapam during the Mandalam season, because homes did not have room for this separation. That is no longer expected; you do not need to leave home.

Above all, handle this with care and respect. The women in your family are supporting your vratham, so plan the arrangements together in advance, and ask your Guruswamy how your tradition handles it.

We are sorry for your loss. A death in the family brings a period of ritual impurity (pula) for close relatives, usually observed for 10 to 16 days depending on the community. Traditionally, this affects the vratham as follows:

• Before you wear the mala. Wait until the pula period and the final rites are complete. Your Guruswamy can help you choose a new start date.
• While you are wearing the mala. If a close family member passes away, the usual practice is to remove the mala, with your Guruswamy’s guidance, so you can take part in the funeral and rites. After the pula period you can begin the vratham again if there is still time before your yatra, or plan for the next season.
• A distant relative or friend. Many devotees continue the vratham but do not attend the funeral or visit the house of mourning while wearing the mala.
• Loss of a parent or spouse. Some families do not undertake the pilgrimage until the first year of mourning is over.

Customs vary widely here, so speak to your Guruswamy as soon as you can. Above all, take care of your family at this time; Ayyappa understands.

Many Swamys travel for work during the Mandalam season, and the vratham can continue on the road with a little preparation.

At the airport

• A tulsi or rudraksha mala rarely sets off security scanners, so you can usually keep it on. If an officer asks to check it, explain calmly that it is a religious item. If you must take it off, hold it in your hand or keep it in a clean pouch, and put it back on with a Saranam straight after.
• Wearing shoes while travelling is fine. Take them off whenever you can, such as in your hotel room.
• Keep up your morning and evening prayers. Many airports have a quiet multi-faith prayer room, and a small picture of Ayyappa fits in any bag.

On the flight

• Pre-order a vegetarian meal when you book. Choose Asian Vegetarian (AVML) or Jain Meal or Vegan (VGML). Avoid the “Hindu meal” (HNML), which usually contains meat.
• Carry dry snacks such as nuts, roasted chana or khakhra. Finish any fresh fruit before landing, as many countries do not allow it through customs.

At your destination

• Look for “pure veg” Indian or South Indian restaurants, which keep meat out of the kitchen.
• Book a hotel room with a kettle or kitchenette, and pack quick foods such as instant upma, poha or oats.
• Visit a local Hindu or Ayyappa temple if there is one. Many serve prasadam or simple meals.
• At business dinners, politely decline meat, eggs and alcohol and mention that you are observing a religious vow. Colleagues almost always respect this.

If a long trip falls close to your yatra, talk to your Guruswamy beforehand about planning your Deeksha around it.

This is common for students and young professionals, and you can still observe the vratham well with a little planning:

• Talk to your roommates. Explain the vratham and how long it lasts. Most people are happy to help once they understand.
• Keep your own cookware. Use separate pots, pans, plates and utensils, and store your food separately.
• Cook at a different time. Agree on a time when you have the kitchen to yourself, and clean the stove and counter before you start.
• Keep a clean space for prayer. Set aside a corner of your room for a lamp and a picture of Ayyappa.
• Eat with fellow Swamys when you can. Many temples serve annadanam during the Mandalam season, and group bhajans and pujas usually end with prasadam.
• Avoid eating out. Restaurant kitchens handle meat and vegetarian food together. Simple, fresh meals you cook yourself are better.

What matters most is your own discipline. Do your best with the space you have, and ask your Guruswamy if you need guidance.

Yes, women can wear the mala, but what is traditionally followed depends mainly on her age. Female devotees are called Malikappuram (or "Mataji" in some regions).

If she is under 10 or over 50: She can wear the mala and do the full vratham and pilgrimage, including the Irumudi and climbing the holy 18 steps. Many young girls and older women go to Sabarimala every season. The vratham rules are the same as for men: vegetarian food, prayers twice a day, dark or saffron clothes and simple living.

If she is between about 10 and 50: By long-standing tradition, women of this age group do not go to Sabarimala or take the mala for the pilgrimage. The tradition is linked to Lord Ayyappa's form at Sabarimala as a Naishtika Brahmachari (eternal celibate). Women in this age group often take part in the season in other ways:

• Observing the vratham disciplines at home (vegetarian food, daily prayers, bhajans) alongside the family Swamys, without wearing the mala.
• Helping with Irumudi preparation and pujas at home.
• Worshipping at local Ayyappa or other temples during the Mandalam season.

Outside India, some temples allow women devotees to take part in Mandala Pooja ceremonies at their local Ayyappa shrine. Practices vary a lot, so it is best to ask the temple priest directly.

Whatever her age, speak with your Guruswamy or temple priest about how they guide women devotees.

Yes, you can observe the vratham fully while living in the US, with a few practical adjustments. A senior Guruswamy who has been going to Sabarimala for over 50 years puts it simply: Lord Ayyappa is our bosom friend. Surrender completely to Him (sharanagati) and keep Brahmacharya; follow everything else in the spirit of the vow.

Every day

• Bathe twice a day and pray or meditate after each bath.
• Recite the Namaskara Slokam (Loka Veeram) and chant as many Saranams as you can. Each Saranam is an act of surrender to Ayyappa.
• Pray before each meal and thank Ayyappa, the Annadhana Prabhu, for your food.
• Practise patience in everything, from driving to talking with family and coworkers. The trek to Sabarimala will test it.

At work

• It is fine to wear shoes at work. Some devotees tell their colleagues about the vratham, grow a beard and avoid cutting their hair.
• Keep your mind on God and on your work, and stay calm and patient with everyone.

At home and on weekends

• Wear black, blue or saffron clothes.
• Walk barefoot, and sleep on the floor or a mat without a pillow.
• Don’t shave on weekends.
• Avoid parties, and visits to homes where meat may be cooked.

Food

• Eat fresh, home-cooked vegetarian food. Avoid processed, packaged and leftover food, and swap chips and snacks for fresh fruit.
• Many devotees also avoid onion and garlic.
• Don’t eat at restaurants unless you are travelling.
• Consider replacing one meal a day with fruit. It prepares your body for the light meals of the pilgrimage.
• Make prasadam and share it with devotees at the temple. Ayyappa is Annadhana Prabhu, and feeding others pleases Him.

Temple and community

• Visit the temple at least once a week, and more often if you can.
• Attend Ayyappa pujas and bhajans in your area. Ayyappa loves bhajans.
• Help organise pujas and assist fellow devotees. At Sabarimala all are equal: the Swamy beside you could be a CEO or a labourer, and you would never know.

Above all, keep your mind pure and your thoughts on Ayyappa. Your Guruswamy can guide you on anything specific to your situation.