Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
com)
The Symbolic Meaning of Saranam in the Chant Swami Saranam Dedicated To Lord Ayyappa
Swami Saranam is a mantra repeated often by Ayyappa devotees visiting the sacred Sabarimala ntra Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Swamiyee Sharana Ayyappa is most favorite prayer of most devotees. The general meaning that is assumed of Swami Saranam is that everything depends on Ayyappa Saranam means give me refuge so that all problems are solved at His feet. There is also a symbolic meaning to Saranam Sha syllable stands for help from Ayyappa to defeat all human fallacies like ego, jealousy, avarice, anger etc. Ra syllable stands for attaining knowledge of the Supreme Being or the knowledge that leads to Moksha. nam syllable stands for peace deep silence where there is no two.
Ayyappa Mala Procedure How to Wear Ayyappa Mala to Visit Sabarimala Temple?
Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple should compulsorily wear the Ayyappa Mala. This Mala is worn after beginning the Vratam to visit the Sabarimala Shrine. Usually, the A Ayyappa Mala is worn in a local Ayyappa temple or any other temple near the house. Those who are unable to do it at a temple or holy place wear the Mala at home in the Puja room or area. The Mantra chanted while wearing the Ayyappa Mala is: http://ayyappa-songshttp://ayyappa lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra-while-wearing-ayyappa-mudra mudra-mala.html Ayyappa malas are usually made of Rudraksha beads, Tulsi, Pavizham (small gem stones), Raktha Chandanam, Uduppi Tulsi, or Black Pavizham. A devotee chooses a particular mala of his liking. The most preferred is the one made from Rudraksha beads. Upon returning home after Ayyappa Darshan, the mala is removed after chanting the following Mantra: http://ayyappa-songs-lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra lyrics.blogspot.com/2010/12/mantra-while-removing removing-mudra-mala.html
The general belief is that the Ayyappa devotee should enter home only in the evening after sighting a lamp after his Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple darshan. If he reaches his place early, he spends the time at a nearby temple and waits till evening. Family waits at door in the evening with a lamp to welcome back the devotee. The family members invite the devotee by chanting Swamiyeee Saranam Ayyappaa
Lord Ayyappa gives continues darshan to his devotees for 41 days at Sabarimala Temple during 41-days the Mandala Kalam (November December). For 2012 - 2013 - Sabarimala Temples opens on 2012 Puj November 16, 2012 evening and closes on December 27th 201 after Mandala Puja. The Temple then opens December 30, 2010 for Makaravilakku Puja. The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple remains closed for the major part of a year. So Mandala Kalam is the period chosen by most pilgrims to visit the shrine. The 41-day pilgrim season, also known as Mandala Pooja, attracts millions of day devotees to this hill shrine dedicated to Sastha. The pilgrim season begins on the first day of Malayalam month Vrischikam (Mid November) and continues for 41 days. The Mandala Kalam ends during the fag end of Decembe in the Malayalam December, month Dhanu. The temple is then closed for a day and reopens for the Makaravilaku season, which ends on January 14. The temple then opens and conducts pujas only on the first of every Malayalam m month and during festivals like Vishu and Onam and also the temple idol installation day etc. Before going to have a darshan all devotees wear Mudra Mala (Rudraksha or Tulsi mala) and enter into a period of Vratham (austerities) for 41 41-days. There is no restriction of religion and all people can enter the temple. But women between the age enter of 10 and 50 are not allowed to climb the Sabarimala hill and pray at the temple. Irumudi - a cloth bundle with two compartments containing traditional offerings to the temple which includes coconut, ghee, malar, rice etc is a must to enter the eighteen steps and to have a an darshan of Ayyappa.
Mantra to end Sabarimala Vratham and remove the Ayyappa Mudra Ma Mala
After the darshan of the Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Hill Temple, the next important ceremony is the removal of the Ayyappa Mudra Mala (the special rudraksha or Tulsi chain and Ayyappa pendant worn by devotees). The Mudra Mala should only be removed after reaching home. Sabarimala Vratham can be continued for 41 days even after an early visit.
How to Avoid Health Problems While Climbing to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple? ealth
Pada Balam ThaDeha Balam Tha... (Ayyappa give strength to our feet and body to reach your abode) is a popular chant used by devotees climbing the hill to reach the Sabarimala Ayy Ayyappa Temple. Most modern day Ayyappa devotees who are not used to walking and doing physical work need all the blessings of Lord Ayyappa to reach his abode and return safely. Heart Attack is one of the most common health risks that pilgrims face while climbing the Sabarimala hill. climbing Here are few tips to Avoid Health Problems While Climbing to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
In Kerala, Gods Own Country, whenever there is a controversy regarding faith it will somehow controversy end up at Sabarimala Makaravilakku the diya or vilakku or light that appears three times at the distant hill known as ponnambala medu during Makaravilakku festival which is held annually on January 14. The appearing of Makaravilakku is an open secret in Kerala, even among Ayyappa ing devotees. Atheists and rationalists have always maintained that it is lit by police, forest guards and temple officials. Incidentally, even when the Communists were ruling the Kerala Stat the State Makaravilakku ritual has happened and it did happen in January 2008. According to Lord Ayyappa legend, after defeating demon Mahishasura, Ayyappa merged with the Dharma Shastha idol on the Makarajyothi day. It is believed that the tribals who were ha harassed by the demon Mahishasura first lit the light to celebrate the slaying of their tormentor. Another legend indicates that the Lord disappeared from earth at Ponnambala Medu or Kantamala where the Makaravilakku is lit and it was Lord Parashuram who fir lit the lamp. first Just before the Makarajyothi appears on the distant hill, a star known as Makarajyothi appears and also an eagle hovers over the Sabarimala Temple. In the recent round of Sabarimala Makaravilaku controversy, the chief priest or Tantri in a press release stated that the Makaravilaku is lit by humans and it is only a symbolic act. He also clearly explained the difference between Makaravilaku (light) and Makarajyothi (star). The government also owned up its involvement in the event. Both the Tantri and the present the government should be praised for their honesty and clearing the controversy once and for all.
The Hindu newspaper reports: The Makaravilakku was a fire lit by human hand on the hill neighboring Sabarimala while the Makarajyothi was a star that appeared in the evening sky on the day marking the culmination of s the annual festival. It is the star that is worshiped as a celestial light. The Makaravilakku is merely a ritual involving the lighting of a fire as a symbolic act.
Ayyappa Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Temple carry the Irumudi a specially designed bag with two compartments. This ceremony is referred as Kettunira or Palli Kettu. The front portion of the bag is meant for keeping the puja articles and other offerings to the deities at Sabarimala. The s other compartment is meant for holding the personal belongings. But nowadays both the compartments are filled with puja items. Earlier, the journey used to be of two to three days and therefore people used to carry provisions in the second compartment. Puja Items Needed: A coconut filled with Ghee Two coconuts Arecanut (Supari) Betel leaf Coins Turmeric Powder Sandal Vibhuthi (Sacred Ash) Rose Water Rice Avil (Beaten rice) Malar (Puffed rice)