SABARIMALA DARSHANA VIDHIKAL
Chengannur Thittamel Vishnumaya Devi Temple is very
much unique with its Idol concept. Even though Vishnu Maya means The Supreme
Goddess Durga, there are other forms for Vishnu Maya, as Durga (Aadi
Paraasakti), resplendent with four arms, Sankhu, Chakra, Gada and Padma, appeared in front of Lord
Vishnu who was resting on a Banyan Tree leaf in the form of a Baby (Unni
Kannan) in the turbulent sea , the Yoga
Maya who took birth in Gokula as Yasodha’s daughter and as Vishnu Maya,
the
concept as the Mother of Lord Ayyappa (the Kaliyuga Varadan).
Therefore
it would be very special to fill the Irumudi kettu (the only travelling kit
which a pilgrim carries on his head during the pilgrimage), from this temple,
to go to Sabarimala. Understanding this
speciality, many prominent devotees fill their Irumudi from this temple which
is one of the pilgrimageshelters for Ayyappas all over the world.
Now,
to the convenience of the devotees, the temple trust has made available, all
the necessary arrangements and facilities (including the things required) to
fill the Irumudi kettu. Those who come to the Chengannur Railway Station and
KSRTC Bus Station can reach the Vishnuma Temple and fill their Irumudi Kettu
and proceed to Sabarimala from here. The
Irumudi Kettu will be filled after the evening pooja at 6 pm.
Lord
Ayyappa is Shaiva-Vaishnava Sambhavan.
Lord Ayyappa incarnated as the son of Mohini or Vishnumaya, the female
persona of Lord Vishnu and Lord
Shiva. Devotees worship Lord Ayyappa in
the Neelimala, where the Lord is meditating.Here the Lord and Devotee become
one. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple
is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths,
irrespective of religion, caste and creed, people visit the Lord once in a year
and on the first
day of the Malayalam month.
As the Lord Ayyappa Temple is in the middle of
the forest, people go in group to see the Lord. On the first day of the
Malayalam month, Vrischikam, the devotees wear the holy chain made of sandal,
tulasi, pearl, glass, conch, rudraksha, root of darpha grass, gold and silver which
will be worn until the day they come back after the visit. Mala (holy chain) should be worn either from
a temple or Guruswamy. During these days, they do fasting, (which means, take
shower very early in the morning, and in
the evening, go to the nearest temple, drink the holy water, say Swamiye
Ayyappa (saranam vili) in the morning and evening, eat only fresh and vegetarian
food. Limit talks and do not lie to anyone. Keep internal and external hygiene
and purity, keep brahma charya, join the group of Ayyappas and offer pooja and
anna daana according to the ability. Ladies and small girls are called
Malikappuram. Females between the age of
10 and 50 are not allowed to visit the temple.
Irumudi
kettu can be filled at the devotee’s own house or the temple. A Priest or Guruswamy should keep the irumudi
kettu on the devotee’s head, say Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa, take round of the
temple or the pooja place, break the coconut and proceed to the east. It is necessary to wear black cloth and pray
to Karuppa Swamy, give dakshina to the Guruswamy.
Recently
it is noted that almost all the people leave the things they carry in the
Irumudi kettu at the place they wish, may be due to ignorance. It would be very important to have the
information about the places where exactly they should put their offerings
while going to have a darshan of Lord Ayyappa. Irumudi is a very special bag
used to carry things required to take with the devotee.
Kanni
Ayyapas, those who go to visit Lord Ayyappa for the first time, use red
Irumudis. Hindus begin everything by offering something to Lord Ganapati. The place where Lord Ganapati stays is known
as Kannimoola. The Irumudi has two parts, front and back. The front part (Mun kettu) contains things
for the Swami Pooja and the back part (Pin kettu) contains the food and other
required items for the devotees. Nowadays
the devotees use a shoulder bag also to carry personal belongings. The Irumudi kettu is placed on a folded
cotton towel and a very big sheet on the head.
To wear while travelling, the devotees use black, blue and saffron
dhotis.
Lord Ayyappa has special parivaras. On the right at the Doorstep, Karuppa Swami
stays, and on the left, Kadatha Swami.
On
kanni, Ganapathi and Naagaas, Malikappurathamma on the Vayukon, and navagraha
kshetra and Vavaru Swami are there.
Erumeli is the place where Lord performed His Thandava. The body of the Mahishi was in the Azhutha
medu. Devotees call it ‘Kallidum
kunnu’. Kruthikas stay where the Mahishi
was buried and as per Lord Shiva’s order, devotees have to put a ‘small stone’
there and pray.
Turmeric
powder, camphor, incense sticks, ashtagandha, holy ash, sandal cubes, rose
water, coconut with ghee, dry rice (raw rice), saffron powder, fried rice
powder, rice flakes, popped rice, jiggery, sugar cubes, raisins, kadali banana,
beetle leaves, areca nuts, nava dhanyam, honey, etc. for pooja can be filled in
the front part. Coconut to break, dresses,
sheets, lantern, utensil, holy ash to use after shower, etc. can be filled in
the back part. Turmeric powder, saffron
should be given for abhisheka at Malikappuram.
Pepper, ashtagandha, incense sticks, rose water, etc. is kept at the
Vavaru Nada.
The
coconut with ghee can be given inside the Sannidhana for abhishekam. One half
of the coconut can be put in the fire place, the other half can be brought back
with prasada. Coconut should be broken
at the Ganapati temple and pathinettam padi. Coconut should be rolled at
Malikappuram. Dry rice be given at
Sannidhana and get free payasam from there.
Beetle leaves, areca nut and coins together as a concept of ‘kaani
ponnu’ can be put in the box kept at the Sannidhanam. One packet of turmeric powder be kept at the
Nagar Nada. Tobacco for Karuppa Swamy,
Navadhanya for Navagrahas. Offer rice
flakes, poped rice, jiggery, sugar cubes, raisins, honey, kadali bananas, etc.
together at Malikappuram or Sannidhanam for nivedyam. If enough things are
there, put them at the other parivaaras of Lord Ayyappa.
When
the devotee returns after the darshan at Sannidhanam, the mala can be removed
at own house or the temple and relieved from the fasting.
The
manthra to remove the mala is:
“APOORVAMACHALAAROHE DIVYA DARSANA KAARANA,
SAASTRA MUDRAATMAKA DEVA, DEHIME VRATHA
MOCHANA”.
Those who wish to visit and fill their Irumudi to go to Sabarimala can contact the priest
Adv.Prakash Namboodiri, Ph:99466 73276
SWAMIYE
SARANAM AYYAPPA
