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About Sabarimala Pilgrimage
Given below are the austerities and regulations that has to be strictly followed for taking pilgrimage to Shri Sabarimala:
The vratham has to be undertaken after getting permission from parents. Then one has to get the permission of the guru. After this the date is fixed to commence the vratham. The previous day before the said date one has to offer prayers to ones family deity and make a holy knot with yellow cloth with 1.25 currency units within and present it to the family deity, thereby taking Her/His permission to commence the vratham.
Previous day before starting the vratham, the devotee will cleanly shave, clip his nails, trim his hair and make himself physically clean. The holy mala / garland (tulsi / uthradsham) should be cleaned and smeared with sandal paste and placed before the portrait of Lord Ayyappa. The devotee should also buy a new pair of coloured (black, blue, saffron) dhoti and towel/shawl.
On the day of starting the vratham the devotee shall rise early, bath and offer prayers to family deity, Navagrahas and perform pooja to the holy mala. Then he shall go to the temple with his guru. The mala has to be received from the guru amidst chanting of Saranam. After wearing the mala the devotee becomes Lord Ayyappa himself and starts the demands of pious life.
The devotee shall withdraw from all social activities and spend his time by taking part in praying, poojas, bhajans, visiting temples, cleaning temples, feeding the poor, helping the poor/sick and attending religious discourses.
He shall take only satvic foods and refrain from taking meat, intoxicating drinks / drugs, chewing betel leaves and from smoking.
He shall bathe twice, if possible thrice, daily and perform pooja by at least chanting 108 Ayyappan Saranam. He shall continuously chant Saranam Ayyappa in mind, both at work and at home.
He shall not hurt anybody verbally or physically.
He shall treat all co-devotees as Lord Ayyappan himself and serve them in all the ways.
He shall not feel proud of the respect and privileges he gets when he is wearing the holy mala.
When others prostrate themselves on his feet he shall not feel proud but dedicate the same to Lord Ayyappan and say aloud 'Lord Save everybody for their faith in you'.
He shall not cause inconvenience to his family members on account on observing the vratham.
As he starts his vratham every year, he shall think that he is doing the same for first time and follow all the rules of the vratham strictly.
He shall strictly follow brahmacharya (continence), refrain from sex, thinking of sex, develop passion against all women including his wife, and treat all women with motherly feeling.
He shall avoid proximity of women in period and refrain from taking food prepared by them.
He can attend social functions like birthdays, engagements, and weddings, but should avoid food prepared by women.
He shall avoid being in the proximity of a dead body.
He shall try not sleep on bed but on the floor, he shall try not to use a pillow , he shall try not use footwear but walk with bare feet.
He shall totally surrender himself to Lord Ayyappa.
He shall try to eat only once in a day.
One should remember that the grace and power of Sabarimala increases and reflects back by observing the above rules strictly.
But apart from all the above, the most important is cleanliness of mind and thought.
The Guru (Called as Guruswamy or Periaswamy)
It is said that chanting the name of the Guru is equivalent to chanting the name of Lord Shiva, Guru's abode is Kashi Shetram and water used to wash Guru's feet is Ganga.
The role of the Guru is significant in the Ayyappa cult. The Guruswamy is usually an elderly person who has undertaken pilgrimage to Sabarimala not less than seven consecutive years in the traditional long route and had darshan of Makara Jothi. The devotees treat the Guruswamy as Ayyappan himself. It is important that pilgrims gain knowledge from the Guru on all the aspect of the Pilgrimage. One should serve the Guru physically, mentally and verbally.
The pilgrims should give the due respect and reverence the Guru deserves. All instructions of the Guru should be carried out without fail. The Guru will enlighten the Shisyas the austerities to be followed. He will teach them the slokas and way to perform pooja and bhajans. He shall prepare them for the pilgrimage mentally and physically. He will lead the pilgrims safely and comfortably to Sabarimala " Swamiye Saranam Aiyappa"