Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Significance of Sabarimala Yatra.

The Sabarimala yatra and the 41 day fasting period preceding it highlight the significance of austerity, abstinence from worldly pleasures & complete surrender to the Divine for those seeking a complete union with the Lord. The fast is essential to cleanse oneself physically and mentally prior to undertaking the yatra.

Those undertaking the yatra begin their fast on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, which usually falls on the 17th of November every year. This marks the beginning of the Mandalam period, lasting 41 days. During this Mandalam period, the devotee is required to bathe twice a day and perform pooja to Lord Ayyappa. He/she must eat only pure vegetarian food, particularly only satwik food that does not contain onions/garlic, completely avoid drinking alcohol/smoking/drugs, avoid shaving/cutting one's hair/nails, & refrain from all kinds of sensual pleasures, thus leading a life of total brahmacharya/celibacy.

Every devotee undertaking the yatra wears a mudramala or a necklace made of tulsi/sandal wood/crystal beads, with a small dollar engraved with an image of Lord Ayyappa. Some devotees wear this mudramala on the first day of Mandalam, while others wear it on any day of the Mandalam period. Wearing this mala indicates to others that the wearer is observing the Mandala vrata/fast and will soon undertake the Sabarimala yatra. Each male devotee undertaking the yatra is seen as Lord Ayyappa Himself and is addressed as 'Swami' or 'Ayyappa'. Each female devotee is looked upon as the divine Mother. This illustrates the concept of 'Tat Tvam Asi' - 'You are that', meaning 'each living being is an embodiment of the Divine'. These words are prominently displayed in Sanskrit on the roof just above the main shrine.

May Ponnambala Vasa - the Lord who dwells in the golden temple, bless one and all.

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa