(Image source from: 41 Days Mandalam 2014 Celebration})

Lord Ayyappa calls upon its devotees to follow the Mandala Pooja in foreign soil as well. Indians living in Arizona can follow 41 days of mandalam celebration even though they are away from their motherland.

Ayyappa Seva Samajam in association with KHA (Kerala Hindus of Arizona) invites all to paricipate in the inaugural celebration of 41 days of mandalam at Ekta Mandir in Phoenix, Arizona. The inaugural celebration of Mandala Pooja will be held on Saturday, November 15 from 5 pm onwards to 7.15 pm.

The celebration will be just like it's done in your native place. Ayyappa bhajans will be sung by devotees and 18 Holy Steps Pooja will be conducted during the Mandalam 2014 celebration. The programme also includes Aarti and Mahaprasadam will be distributed to all devotees.

Besides weekly Ayyappa bhajans will be held at several locations, which are as follows - on November 22, November 29th, December 6th, December 13th, December 20 (Maha Pooja), December 27th.

What is Mandala Pooja?

Mandala Pooja celebrations continues for a period of 41 days. It begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November-December) and culminating on eleventh day of Dhanu (December-January). During these 41 days devotees make a pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, in Kerala. Mandala Pooja signifies 41 days of austerities. Main Mandala pooja is conducted on the 41st day after the 1st of Vrichikam.

Rituals and Traditions

Vrutham (austerities) is an important part of Mandal Pooja and are strictly observed by deotees. People who wish to make a pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine on the day of Mandala Pooja, which falls on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, have to follow strict austerities.

Vruthum should be followed for 41 days during which devotee must lead a simple and pious life. Vruthum begins on the day a devotee wears Tulasi or Rudraksha Mala with a locket of Lord Ayyappa till he makes a pilgrimage to Sabarimala where he/she removes the Mala. A devotee is called 'Ayyappan' or 'Swami' during the period of wearing the Mala and taking it off. The 41 days is to be a period of austerity for devotee. They should keep their mind and body clean and pure, besides restraining themselves from indulging in worldly pleasures. A devotees must avoid smoking, alcohol and non-vegetarian food during this period. An 'Ayyappan' must abstain from sex, pray twice daily and avoid hurting the feelings of others. A devotee is advised not to take the pilgrimage without proper vruthums. Female devotees between the age of 1-9 and 50 above can also take part in the vruthum. A female devotee is called 'Malikapuram' ( The Shakti of Lord Ayyappa).

Mandalam Pooja ends with 'Kalabhaattam'. In this mixture of sandal paste, saffron, camphor and rose water is poured on the deity. 'Kalabhaattam' is a privilege of the Zamorin Rajas only and the offering is made once in a year.

Contact:
Rajesh: (602) 317-3082
Suresh: (623) 455-1553
Dileep: (480) 516-7964
Venu: (480) 278-4531

For more details visit: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

(AW: Pratima Tigga)