Festivals
Date
Mandala Kala - Begins
Sankramana (Sun Transit)
About
Mandalakala Begins marks the start of the 41-day austere penance (Mandala Vratam) observed by devotees of Lord Ayyappa. It begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (when the Sun enters Scorpio).
Significance:
This period is a time for intense spiritual purification before undertaking the pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. The penance helps devotees detach from materialistic desires and focus entirely on the divine, embodying the principle of 'Tat Tvam Asi' (Thou Art That).
Rituals & Puja Vidhi:
1. Mudradharanam: Wearing the sacred Tulasi or Rudraksha mala (Mudra) initiated by a Guru (Gurusthamam). 2. Strict Celibacy: Observing Brahmacharya and abstaining from alcohol, non-vegetarian food, and smoking. 3. Dress Code: Wearing black, blue, or saffron clothing and walking barefoot. 4. Daily Prayers: Visiting a temple twice a day and participating in Ayyappa Bhajans.