How to go about Sabarimala perform austerities / Vratham for 41 days?

Sabarimala Vratham and austerities are known all over the world among the devotees of Lord Ayyappa Swamy. These 41 days one has to keep his mind and body under control like a sadhu or a sanyasi, without hurting others in their word and deed.

Basics of the Vratham to go to Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Sannidhanam

Vratham or the austerities one has to follow before going to Sabarimala.
There is a stipulation that before one goes on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala, one has to fast for 41 days , do strict fasting as per the rules laid down, in the books. You have to follow the rules and go on your own also to the temple if you have been there before. If you are travelling for the first it is advisable to take a good guru who gives you the advice for going through the rituals for 41 days. It is not advisable to go to the temple with less than 41 days vratham. It is believed that people suffer a lot if they do not follow the vratham religiously for 41 days and then start on the pilgrimage.

Starting of the Vratham for 41 days

The vratham starts the day you put on the Thulasi mala or the Rudraksham mala with a locket of Lord Ayyappa in your neck. You can get the mala after the proper riruals like Pooja done at the temple by the temple priest or the guruswami. Guruswami is one wh has visited Sabarimala for more than 18 times and only they can guide others in all the matters regarding the pilgrimage. The Mala gets prayed at the temple as well as the Pooja room in the house. You will be expected to give dakshina to the priest or the Guruswami concerned, after you wear the mala. After you wear the mala you will be called as a swami or an ayyappa and not by your name till you finish your pilgrimage to sabarimala. The girl children less than 10 years or those who have not reached the age of puberty or elderly ladies above 50 years or so, can also wear the mala and they become Malikapuram till they finish their pilgrimage.

Rules to be followed during the 41 days of Vratham

Extreme care should be taken by every Ayyappan to keep their mind, body pure and clean as well as balanced. Each Ayyappan has to live a life like a Sadhu or a sanyasi and his every word, action should not affect or hurt others, he should strive to be pure even in his thoughts. They are to kep away from all the worldly pleasures and avoid taking tobacco, alcohol and non vegetarian foods, Complete Brahmacharyam is needed for the pilgrimage to sabarimala. He is supposed to take bath three times a day, cook his own food and do not give trouble to others in the family. They have to pray in the morning and in the evening and take the meal as the prasadam of Ayyappa. He has to keep chanting Ayyappas name known as Saranam Vili aloud or in his mind all the time.

He is not supposed to see or go near a dead body ( even if it is from his close friends or relatives ) and is not supposed eat anything without taking a bath, if he comes upon one accidentally. He should have a Tulsi leaf with him, wherever he goes to prevent him from feeling evil and to save him from Theetu.
He is supposed to sleep on the floor and use a wooden block or a plank for the pillow. He is supposed to walk barefoot. He has to totally surrender himself to Lord Ayyappa.

After the 41 days of Vratham you will have to get the Irumudikettu on to your head or shoulder and then leave for the pilgrimage. One should not travel on the pilgrimage to sabarimala without any proper guidance.

You can get real satisfaction from the trip only if you follow all the rituals and finishing the vratham by following all the rules laid down by the ancestors. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa will be with you while you are travelling to sabarimala if you follow all the rituals accompanied with the pilgrimage. Lord will see to it that you reach 'His Temple', finish your dharshan and get back home safe and sound.If you are planning to go to Sabarimala on your own you will need more details.
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.