Swamy Ayyappa temple is situated in Kerala.
Darshan to this temple is open only during certain period of every year. It starts on the 1st of Karthigai month of the solar calendar (Around November) and goes on till Makara shankranti day (Around mid January). The day of Makara sankranti is the most auspicious day to have darshan of Swami Ayyappa.
The Darshan of Swami Ayyappa is open to all aged men, girl children and old women only.
The three main auspicious deeds to be performed at the Swamy Ayyappa pilgrimage are:
Swamy Ayyappa Darshan
Climbing the 18 steps for Darshan
Darshan of Makara Jyothi (Light)
Swami Ayyappa Darshan to all who are eligible, the climbing of pious 18 steps of the Swami Ayyappa temple requires the devotee to carry the Irumudi (Swami Ayyappa specific offerings, as described below*) and wear Malaa.
The Makara Jyothi is seen on the Makara Sankranti day only.
*Preparing Irumudi and Malaa wear process:
Irumudi and wearing Malaa are to be performed by Senior Swami (...Ok, so now we have the concept of Swami, explained below#) on to the junior devotees or first time devotees, going on the pilgrimage. The senior Swami performing the process of giving Malaa and preparing Irumudi has to be paid nominal amount of money as dakshina for his services.
Malaa which is a chains of a particular of beeds have to worn and wear Vaesti (also called panche). Once these are worn, the devotee shall be a teetotaller, shall not speak harsh words and be addressed and address every devotee wearing Malaa as Swami as the call name.
Wearing of Malaa is absolutely essential to be able to climb the pious 18 steps in the temple of Swamy Ayyappa for His darshan.
Irumudi:
This is the bag which contains the offerings to Swami Ayyappa. The offerings in this bag are:
1. One coconut filled with ghee after emptying the coconut water and sealed.
2. One cocunut as is.
3. A packet Special type of rice.
4. A set of camphor, incense sticks, thirunur, etc.
I am not well versed with details of all the components in the Irumudi, and will update as and when I get to know more of the items present in there.
Basically this is a standard set of items which are carried in the Irumudi (bag), so any shop in Erimely or Guruvayur (towns on way to temple) will be able to provide as a package. This should cost max Rs. 200/- including the cost of an additional hang bag. The cost of Vaesti (panche) is additional as thats a cloth and available in different shop, costing around max of Rs. 150/-.
#Swamis
Every devotee going on pilgrimage to Swamy Ayyappa Darshan wearing Malaa are called Swami. The devotee taking pilgrimage first time with Malaa is called Kanni Swamy (First timer), this pilgrimage is usually taken for 18 consequtive years to gain the grace and cleanse one self of sins. This could be repeated for many cycles of 18 years also... so the 19th year (19th time visit to temple for Darshan) devotee is again kanni Swami.
Darshan to this temple is open only during certain period of every year. It starts on the 1st of Karthigai month of the solar calendar (Around November) and goes on till Makara shankranti day (Around mid January). The day of Makara sankranti is the most auspicious day to have darshan of Swami Ayyappa.
The Darshan of Swami Ayyappa is open to all aged men, girl children and old women only.
The three main auspicious deeds to be performed at the Swamy Ayyappa pilgrimage are:
Swamy Ayyappa Darshan
Climbing the 18 steps for Darshan
Darshan of Makara Jyothi (Light)
Swami Ayyappa Darshan to all who are eligible, the climbing of pious 18 steps of the Swami Ayyappa temple requires the devotee to carry the Irumudi (Swami Ayyappa specific offerings, as described below*) and wear Malaa.
The Makara Jyothi is seen on the Makara Sankranti day only.
*Preparing Irumudi and Malaa wear process:
Irumudi and wearing Malaa are to be performed by Senior Swami (...Ok, so now we have the concept of Swami, explained below#) on to the junior devotees or first time devotees, going on the pilgrimage. The senior Swami performing the process of giving Malaa and preparing Irumudi has to be paid nominal amount of money as dakshina for his services.
Malaa which is a chains of a particular of beeds have to worn and wear Vaesti (also called panche). Once these are worn, the devotee shall be a teetotaller, shall not speak harsh words and be addressed and address every devotee wearing Malaa as Swami as the call name.
Wearing of Malaa is absolutely essential to be able to climb the pious 18 steps in the temple of Swamy Ayyappa for His darshan.
Irumudi:
This is the bag which contains the offerings to Swami Ayyappa. The offerings in this bag are:
1. One coconut filled with ghee after emptying the coconut water and sealed.
2. One cocunut as is.
3. A packet Special type of rice.
4. A set of camphor, incense sticks, thirunur, etc.
I am not well versed with details of all the components in the Irumudi, and will update as and when I get to know more of the items present in there.
Basically this is a standard set of items which are carried in the Irumudi (bag), so any shop in Erimely or Guruvayur (towns on way to temple) will be able to provide as a package. This should cost max Rs. 200/- including the cost of an additional hang bag. The cost of Vaesti (panche) is additional as thats a cloth and available in different shop, costing around max of Rs. 150/-.
#Swamis
Every devotee going on pilgrimage to Swamy Ayyappa Darshan wearing Malaa are called Swami. The devotee taking pilgrimage first time with Malaa is called Kanni Swamy (First timer), this pilgrimage is usually taken for 18 consequtive years to gain the grace and cleanse one self of sins. This could be repeated for many cycles of 18 years also... so the 19th year (19th time visit to temple for Darshan) devotee is again kanni Swami.
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