Saturday, December 10, 2005

Ayyappa (48-day) Observation -- Rules and Restrictions

Ayyappa (48-day) Observation -- Rules and Restrictions

One of my friend was suggesting me this -- "Why can not you put up some kind of blog post or an article summarizing the 48 day observation rules to be observed. Well. I had a small pocketbook and a couple of PDFs circulating in the emails.

Most of the rules normally are hearsay from our elders to us. As my friend suggested, today since I was relatively free, just thought I would update it as bullet points, so that future Ayyappa Swamis  can immensely benefit from the same.

While my pocket books are in Tamil, I am attempting to compile the same in English. Should you find discrepancies, share your thoughts and observations as comments.

Most of the rules and observationary regulations are purely for our own control and development -- to streamline our day-to-day chores.

  1. All round the work time, keep your mind only focused on the Lord. Even the work you do is being instrumented by the Lord. Dedicate the same to the Lord.  Perhaps, Bhagavad Gita too shares a similar thought.
  2. Avoid the enemies like Lust, Anger, Greed and Seductive Attraction.
  3. Avoid gambling, smoking, alcoholic drinks and non-vegeterian dishes.
  4. Ensure that you don't hurt anybody either verbally or by action.
  5. When you meet a peer, who is in the 48-day observation, treat him on par Lord Ayyappa. Tell him Sharanam and offer pranams to him. There is no age, degree or other demarcatory restrictions in this whatsoever.
  6. Your Guruswamy is on par Ayyappa. Service to your Guru is service to the Lord Himself.
  7. The spirtual observation that you are on, you need to offer the fullest possible respect to Lord Ayyappa. There is no place of ego clashes in this whatsoever.
  8. Just because you are on the observation, your family members need not incur additional work burdens either physically or fiscally or otherwise. In the same vien, ensure that your family members do not obstruct or disturb your observation in any way. Let them understand the full depth of the observation.
  9. In the unforeseen circumstance of having to encounter a birth or death in the near family relationship, surrender the mala  to Lord Ayyappa photo. Wait for that year. You are eligible for the yatra from the next year.
  10. You can humbly surrender to the Lord each time as Kanni Samy and with that reverence, if you worship the Lord, He bestows in you all His divine blessings.
  11. With the spirtual observation on, you are being treated on par Lord Ayyappa. You need to preserve that respect you recieve and surrender unto the Lord. All people would offer Pranams to you, for this reason. There is no reason of gaining a superiority or ego because of this. You are just a relay server. Just think of the Lord and surrender those pranams to Ayyappa and seek His blessings for the people too.
  12. All women, including your spouse are now on par your mother. Treat them with this vision.
  13. Self Beautification is prohibited during the observation. This include:
    1. Oiling Hair
    2. Shaving
    3. Oil Bath
  14. As far as possible, eating and dining out can be avoided. In the worst inevitable case, follow strict vegetarianism.
  15. A Tulasi leaf with you can help you ward off lot of evils.

Hope these small tips would help you a great way in getting up with the Spiritual observation for Lord Ayyappa to get His complete blessings.

69 comments:

Unknown said...

swamiye saranam ayyappa
dear vasu
now i,m working in qatar,i would like to start virathem , i have gone through rules and regulation of virathem as that mentioned, some obstruction given, that is , during virathem neveruse shaving hair,is it possible? at foriegn, plz reply.

Deepak Vasudevan said...

@Shanmuganathan,

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa. I have posted this query to Sri Ayyappan YahooGroups here. One Swami (Subramaniam Lakshmi Narasimhan) has given the following reply:

"There is a way for every thing. Please pray God. In muslim countries, keeping beard is considered as auspicious. And Iyappan is friend of great vavur. Nothing will happen"

Swami has also Cc'ed this message to sriayyappan YahooGroups. However, it is still, I guess, in moderation queue. Once it goes live, I would also update the URL here. This message came to my Inbox, as Swami was kind enough to mark a copy to my direct emailbox also.

Dheenadhayalan said...

swamiye saranam ayyappa
Pls Reply as soon as possible...
yesterday i went to non-veg hotel with my friends and i ate only one milk shake.. i'm kanniswamy ..this is my first year .... Is this sin or somthing lik tat... Waiting for ur reply......
swamiye saranam ayyappa

Anonymous said...

Swamiye saranam ayyappa

NICEBLOGGER said...

Dear Vasu,
I am working in saudi arabia. My family is here. they are going for vacation on July 2010 and I want to join with them on August 2010. I want to know, my son is kannimala and i would like to take him to sabarimala on August 2010. Is Kannimala possible on usual days.

NICEBLOGGER said...

Dear Mr.vasu,
I am in saudi arabia with my family. they are going for vacation on July 2010 and I will be joining with them on Aug 2010. I would like to take my son as kanniswamy on August 16th 2010. Is it possible to visit on August as Kanniswami or I should wait upto Mandalam. I am not having time and kids is having school on Dec.

Unknown said...

swamiye sharanam ayyappa reply as fast as u can....me and my family along with my brother living in one house....my brother is a kanni swamy....we gave a special room in our house....for his use and now he is using that room to pray god ........we used to go to his room and...chat with him daily for an hour....i have an doubt ..that is...can me and my wife participate in srungaram in our own room....during these days of deeksha of my brother...or we should not????

Karthik said...

Hi Deepak,

Your blog gives a brief understanding about the rules to be followed by ayyappa swamies during 48 day viratham.

Would be gret if you could send me the PDF file to my email id pls?
my id: yourskarthikeyan@gmail.com

vigneshmjr said...

Vignesh.M
Thanks to giving wonderful information.

venkat said...

Swamiye Saranam Ayyapa ,
Nice Blogphoto Swami, It is very useful.

48day ayyappan virtham rules said...

Ayyappam 48day virtham rules tamil pdf copy send me my mail id ganesanajay996@yahoo.com

AK2 (Ananthakrishnan) said...

There are many variations followed by different Gurusamis. In todays world, all rules are relaxable, (of course with the permission from your Gurusamy) like shaving, taking food outside, job related travelling and staying in hotels, unable to do bath twice a day or do pooja twice a day etc. But on few important rules, there is no relaxation at all. (a) Observation of 100% brahmacharyam - no ill thoughts about women / sex, (b) 100% vegetarian food - that too wherever possible avoid onion, garlic, mullangi, etc. as they provoke ill thoughts, (c) do not visit theetu houses where there is a birth or death. Never go near a dead body (d) be humble and poised to all. Total surrendering to Ayyappa is a simple and must thing.

Sabarimala yathra is your wish and for that vratha, never disturb anyone, including your wife. Example making them clean the house repeatedly, ask them also take bath twice a day, insisting on tiffin, elaborate poojas etc.

AK2 (Ananthakrishnan) said...

Swami Saranam

With the blessings of Sree Ayyappan, we, Nanganallur Maniganda Sabha are conducting a Kodi Archana (One crore) for Sri Ayyappa from 29.11.2014 to 21.12.2014 (continuously for 23 days) at Narayanana Pravachana Mandapam, Guruvayoorappan Temple, Nanganallur, Chennai 600 061. We invite Ayyappa Devotees to contribute their might for Pooja, Annadhanam etc.

Please visit our website www.nanganallurmanigandasabha.com.

For further details mail us secynmsaka2014.gmail.com

Unknown said...

Saami... Naan first time maala poda poren... I don't know anything about this... Kindly guide me

Unknown said...

Saami... Naan first time maala poda poren... I don't know anything about this... Kindly guide me... Epdi viradham aarambikkanum... How to follow... Want to know the entire thing... Pls

Unknown said...

Pls share me Tamil pdf for kannimala viratham details ,
Prakash.gee@live.com,gp.prakash.mca@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would to like take 48 days kannimala viratham for lord ayyappa.can u send me Tamil pdf for viratham details..
Prakash.gee@live.com,gp.prakash.mca@gmail.com

krupal said...

Hi friends, can you please let me know if we can use soap and shampoos during deeksha time? I heard that we should not use them , but my question is that how can be keep hygenic/clean without using them?

Unknown said...

Dear Mr Vasu,

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa. Can the wife follow the husband who is a Guru swamy for the prayers or even accompany him when the wife is not clean.

Even when he garlands the malai on the first day of Karthigai, can she be present to witness it if she is not clean. I'm confused what Brammachari Verathem is.

Unknown said...

Hi. Swamiye saranam ayyappa.
How about if we pray ayyappa swamy at home? My husband bought ayyappa swamy photo yesterdy. We can pray as normal? Or we have some restriction too? As a women, can ladies enter the room when mensturual time? Tq

Unknown said...

I would to like take 48 days Kannimala Viratham for Lord Ayyappa. Can you send me Tamil pdf for Viratham details.
vijayan.karuppaiah@gmail.com; vijay3an@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would to like take 48 days Kannimala Viratham for Lord Ayyappa. Can you send me Tamil pdf for Viratham details.

vijayan.karuppaiah@gmail.com; vijay3an@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Person who has taken the ayappa deksha should not see the women during menstrual time

Unknown said...

hi am planing to go sabarimala coming 18 th oct by not putting malai or virutham but from tomorrow onwards i will be following some virutham rules.. shall i go to temple and see ayyapan swamy, without stepping 18 steps

Unknown said...

Sameye saram iyyapa

Unknown said...

Sameye saram iyyapa

Unknown said...

Send me the rules in tamil.i am first time plan to put malai.my mailid:p.arunmech90@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Swamiye Saranam Ayyapa

sri said...

@ Shanmuganathan ...It is very strict not to shave your beard.It is equivalent to having Vegeterianism...

Unknown said...

Sameye saram iyyapa.. I wanted to know as I recently got married in the month of Aug can I do the deeksha.. My family is saying I can't within 6months of wedding is it true..??

SuN ThosH said...

om swamiyee sharanam ayyappaaaaa......

Anonymous said...

Swamiye Sharan ayyapppa................

Umesh reddy said...

Recently my grangfather's younger brother passed away. Can I be a kanny swamy. Reply me fast as I have to put malaria tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Hi please reply me soon...my husband put mala fr sabarimala. . Can I eat non veg outside?? Or shouldn't? ?

Unknown said...

Ayyapa....my husband's brother has put mala.My brother expired. Can i n my husband attend the funeral and follow the rituals.

Unknown said...

Ayyappa.My husband's brother has put mala.my brother expired.Can i n my husband attend the funeral and follow up the rituals.

Unknown said...

Use ayyappa photo only when u undergoing viratham rest of the days keep him in safe rooms using daily for pooja is not good. He is bramachari so lady's avoid him.

Unknown said...

U can go visit ayyappa without stepping 18 steps but what the use there is a reason u use 18 steps to see lord, he is powerfull so try to fallow rules he will grant every wish of yours.

Unknown said...

Soaps and shampoo containers animal fats and eggs avoiding them is good or atleast shampoo, u can use kallamavu ( kalla we use to create coconut chatni) we can get it in powder form from stores, there are lot of items we can use to clean our body I am unable translate all in English.

Ramakrish said...

Swamiye saranam ayyapa. Good day. I have a question regarding the maalai that we are putting during this fasting period.
1. If a person who have put the uthracha maalai (which is his second thunai maalai) and it was torn means what he should do with that maalai? Does it signifies anything? What we should do after that?
2. If a person agreed that he has done some mistakes like masturbation during these fasting period what he should do after that? Ayyapa will forgive him?

Unknown said...

can wonen go ayyapa poojai while pregent?

Unknown said...

can woman go ayappaa poojai while pregent

subbu said...

Its not a sin..as you ate only veg item..in future try to avoid non veg hotel..especially during vratham time..

subbu said...

Its not advisable...

subbu said...

As far as my knowlege is concerned..using soap and shampoo doesn't affect vratham..

subbu said...

If a woman is on menstrual cycle...she cannot see,follow or touch ayyappan people..brahmachari vratham means avoiding sex,pleasures and lust during vratham days..

subbu said...

You can pray to lord ayyappa as you do with other god...But strictly avoid visiting god room during menstrual period...not only ayyappa..with any god for that matter..you should not visit..

subbu said...

Yes.. becoz of which you have to bath before doing the pooja at home.

Mano Murali said...

My email ids are iyermanohar@yahoo.com and iyer.manohar@gmail.com

I want to take my aged (in her 60s) and fitness challenged mom to Sabrimala and has lots of questions.

1) I understand that Car will go up till Pampa. Then one needs to cross pampa bridge and then dholi services are there. I need to know how long my mom would need to walk between car drop point and the dholi services stand. my mom cannot stand or walk for more than 2-3 minutes at a stretch. hence this query.

2) Also are there staying facilities available very near to the temple. so that after reaching pampa via car and sitting in dholi for several hours, my mom can relax for some time before going for dharshan.

3) Further which month will be the least crowded as the lesser the crowd, the lesser line for mom to stand.

4) we stay in Pune. which is best route for us to take and where will we get a guruswamy for wearing the malai.

5) Any other travel tips that we need to take care of.

6)Pls share me Tamil pdf for kannimala viratham details.

I humbly request you to Please revert at the earliest possible as I plan to take her this year itself. Thanx in advance

Deepak Vasudevan said...

Mano,

I think you can make her mom wait near the bus stand itself and get the dholi guy to get her from there to Sannidhanam after a brief halt at Pampa. You may need to negotiate the rates. Since you are in Pune, you should be visiting the Dehu Road Ayyappa temple (on the hillock) and they should be able to help you with the mala and route details.

You should be getting some guidance from Nigdi Krishna temple as well. Which part of Pune are you from?

Thanks and Regards,

Deepak

Ck said...

My husband wear malai for 1st time...is that every 1 at home must fully vegetarian. .my younger son only 4 years old....can he take outside food non veg..please advice. ..

Ck said...

My husband wear malai 1st time...is that everyone need to vegetarian. My son 4 years old...can I take outside food non veg ...please advice

Surya said...

Sir I am Surya this is first time am gonna put kannimala but there is restrictions in college that daily clean shaven, nails cut, proper grooming should be made is it possible can I put mala and shave my beard kindly let me know bcoz am hoteliar person sir

Surya said...

Sir I wanna put kannimala first time so I actually related to hotelier person so grooming is must and daily shave, nails cut should be done daily so is okay for 48 mandalam veradham sir.kindly let me know soon sir

Unknown said...

Hi there..I'm 25 years old and I'm a girl..Can I take viratham for ayyapaa like others do or woman's Strictly Cannot?Send me pdf for me shantiya1605@gmail.com

RAJANI said...

Sabarimala Online Darshan Booking 2017

Unknown said...

I am planning to take deeksha in this coming december and then visit sabarimala during sankranthi time for jyothi darshan. I stay outside india and coming to india for 50 days for this purpose. I also want to visit many other pilgrimages during this period. Is it ok to travel to other pilgrimage during deeksha? How do we perform our daily poojas if we travel? Please advise.

Unknown said...

if a person wear ayyappa mala continiously for two successive years then he hasto wear next year also?

Unknown said...

if a person wear ayyappa mala continiously for two successive years then he hasto wear next year also?

Unknown said...

if a person wear ayyappa mala continiously for two successive years then he hasto wear next year also?

Unknown said...

Swamiye sharanamayyappa

Unknown said...

i want to be kanni swamy fr jst 21 days,,,can i do that pooja for 21 days or no plz any1 of u,,,,,,,,,,

Unknown said...

i want to be anni swamy fr 21 days,,,can i be swamy fr 21 days and go fr ayyapa temple

Unknown said...

I am a doctor working in government hospital. I am dealing with deliveries(childbirth) and newborn care almost daily. I cannot avoid this. I want to put mala this year. Kindly give your guidance regarding this. Even if it is accepted for profession sake, will my mala affect the babies?

Unknown said...

Besides mom, dad or siblings, u can go ahead as kanni swamy. Swamiye sharanam ayyapa.

Unknown said...

You can eat non veg outside. But avoid cooking non beg inside the house. Keep a bucket of water outside the house n make sure whoever comes to the house must wash their feet as a respect to the person whose wearing malai in the house. Avoid going into prayers room after eating non veg.

Unknown said...

Those who wears malai must not go to a funeral house or perform any rituals as i know.

Unknown said...

If a person masturbate during the fasting period, his viretham failed. He did not successfully finished his pooja. We don't know if ayyapa will forgive him. But no point continuing fasting after that. He already failed.

Unknown said...

Besides ur husband, everyone else can take non veg. But its not advised to cook non veg at home. Wash legs before entering house. Avoid going into prayers room if u consumed non veg.