Pilgrimage to Sabarimalai begins from the 1st of Vrichikam, a Malayalam month coming in the middle of November ( around 14th-16th). The most important day for Lord Ayyappan is Makarasankranthi Day, which is the 1st of Makara (a month of the Malayalam calendar). This day will fall between January 14-16. Currently millions of devotees come from all parts of India to Sabarimala for a glimpse of Lord Ayyappan, having undertaken 41 days of Vratham (austerities). In 2005, at least 50 million devotees made the pilgrimage to Shabarimala (from 1st Vrichikam to the 1st Makaram). It is the second most in the world after ‘Haj’ of Muslims to Mecca.

The 3 austerities prescribed for devotees are:

1). Austerity of body

Purity, uprightness, continence and non violence

2). Austerity of mind

Tranquility, gentleness, silence, self control and purity of thought

3). Austerity of speech

Speech that causes no annoyance to others, truthful, pleasant and beneficial and recitation of scriptures.

Devotees perform Observance of Vratha , Maaladharanam and Visit to Temples and holy places.

Ayyappa devotees wear a mala to mark the begining of their vratha for Sabarimala pilgrimage. ‘Maaladharanam’ is aimed at the entire change in the daily life of the pilgrim. It is for concentrating the mind on Dharmasastha, the symbol of all virtue and purity. Each devotee is called ‘Swami’ as he is considered pure and dedicated.

After Maaladharanam and before the pilgrimmage, one has to turn towards piety by visiting many temples and taking bath at several holy places. He should recite Keerthanas and prayers and do poojas, offering his mind to God.During these days, the Swamis take bath before dawn and wear the sacred ash or Vibhuthi got from the nearest temple. It symbolises a retreat from worldly life by offering the mind to God.

Vegetarianism has been prescribed during the 41 days vrutham to help achieve the above austerities. Brahmacharya (celibacy) will help convert the physical energy to spiritual energy. Self surrender leads to self realization. The self that surrenders is the ego and the self that realizes is God. The carrying of irrurnudi on the head and chanting of saranam-mantrain is a total surrender to God.

In temples, the celebration of Makara Vilakku Pooja is conducted along the tradition of Tantra, Mantra and Yantra rituals interwoven in its pooja programs. Mantrayana tradition is incorporated in the bhajan program. Ayyappan prayer songs, kirthans and chanting of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” are meant to activate the breath control vibrational activity.

Ayyappa sahasranarnarn (recitation of 1000 times of Ayyappan’s name) together with other bhajan songs, create an elevated mental condition conducive to invoke a powerful and unique method of recharging the sub-conscious mind with spiritual vibrations.

According to Brahmopanishad, a deity is to be worshipped simultaneously at 4 places:

1). Idol (Bimba)

2). Fire (Vahini)

3). Water pitcher (Kumbha)

4). Mystic diagrams (Mandala – yantra)

All the above are incorporated in our pooja system during the last 3 days of Makara Vilakku.

Arati is the culmination of the offerings of prayers to the deity.

On Makarsankranth, every year without fail, miraculous events occur.

Firstly as the jewels (Thiruvaabaranam) of the Lord are transported from the Old Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala, a Krishnaparanth (holy eagle) circles above the precious cargo, like a protector. This rare eagle is rarely seen in the midst of people for a long period of time, yet the auspicious bird follows the Thiruvaabaranam procession, finally circling above Sannithanam at Shabarimala nine times as it pays its respects to Lord Ayyappan.

During this time, there is not a single star in the sky expect for a special Nakshatram. As the beautiful jewels are placed on the golden body of the Lord within the temple, the several hundred thousand devotees outside, crammed into any available free space, chant “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa”. When the jewels are finally all adorned on the Lord, the Nakshatram in the sky miraculously disappears, as all the Devas and Celestial beings leave the sky to get a glimpse of the Lord in all his splendour.

Within moments of the Lord being adorned with the Thiruvabaranam, a bright light appears in the opposite hills of Shabarimala, appearing 3 times. The entire hillside reverberates with the chant “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa” as the devotees witness this auspicious sight, as the Devas and Celestial Rishis arrive at Shabarimala as an effulgence. These auspicious sights are different forms of the Lord Himself appearing. The devotees then climb the 18 holy gold steps to arrive at the Sanidhanam where they finally get a glimpse of the Lord as Himself, in all beauty, Manikanta Shri Dharmasastha, adorned with jewels. It is believed that if one witnesses these events after having devotedly  undertaken 41 days of severe austerities (Vratham), one can attain Moksha.

This is why Ayyappan is also known as Kaliyugavaradhana, since He can help us to attain Moksha in this difficult age of Kaliyuga, the Age of hypocrisy and violence.

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