Mandala Puja is an essential ritual performed at Kerala’s Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Mandala Puja celebrates the completion of the 41-day austerity known as Mandala Kalam, which is performed by Lord Ayyappa’s followers or devotees. The 41 day fast begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam.
Mandala Puja and ‘Makara Vilakku’ are two significant festivals celebrated annually at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, which attract worshippers from all across Kerala and neighbouring states. During this occasion, the temple is open on most days for worshippers.
Significance of Mandala Puja
The importance of Mandala Puja is described in several Puranas. According to a holy text, only by doing Mandala Puja can a person’s fate be positively influenced. This puja can be conducted solely by a person, but it can only be done once in his or her lifetime. Mandala Puja is an extremely powerful puja that when the person performs it with complete passion and attention his wishes get fulfilled.
Mandala Puja commemorates the 41 days of austerity. The strictness of the vratham during Mandala Puja serves to purify the spirit. Everyone, including men and women, can see the austerity. Females between the age of one and nine years, as well as those above the age of fifty, are also permitted to do the Mandala Puja vratham and they are referred to as ‘Malikapuram.’
Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple during the Mandala Puja have a tradition of also visiting the ‘Guruvayur Temple.’ During this occasion, a special ‘Abhishekam’ ritual is performed in the ‘Guruvayur Temple.’
Rituals during Mandala Puja:
- Vratam, or fasting, is an essential aspect of Mandala Puja, which is followed with zeal and severity by the traditional and religious people of South India.
- People who visit the Sabarimala temple must also live in austerity. Devotees live a holy and humble life throughout the Mandala Puja festival.
- Devotees wear the Rudraksha or Tulsi mala with Lord Ayyappa’s locket till the time they make a visit to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and then they take out the Mala.
- During this period, worshippers are known as ‘Swami’ or ‘Ayyappan.’
- During the Mandala Puja time, worshippers must keep their minds and bodies pure and refrain from all worldly pleasures.
- During the Mandala Puja, all devotees visiting the Sabarimala shrine must refrain from drinking and smoking. It is essential to pray twice a day. During this time, they must stop having sex and avoid hurting the sentiments of others.
- Makarasankranti Day is the most auspicious day of the Mandala Pooja. Makaravilakku is another name for Mandala Pooja. This is held every year on the 14th and 16th of January. The procession begins with the Lord’s jewels being carried to Sabarimala’s Old Pandalam Palace.
- In the midst of this, you will observe the Krishnaparuntu (the Brahminy Kite), which is thought to be Lord Vishnu’s chariot, soaring high above till the jewels reach the palace. Then, as a symbol of homage to Lord Ayappan, it circles around 9 times above Sannidhanam in Sabarimala.
- The Makara Jyoti will be the only star visible to us since it represents the ritual’s specialty. During this time, the Lord Ayappan Idol is decked with jewels and worshippers chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.”
- When the Lord is decked up with jewels, the star suddenly disappears. Finally, a dazzling effulgence or Makaravilakku shines three times from the hills opposite Sabarimala, signaling the completion of the fortunate rite.