Ayyappa devotees turn ascetics for Lord's blessings

VG Nair, 59, a Bandra resident, goes to the temple of Lord Ayyappa atop Sabarimala Hill in Kerala every year. He returned from his 36th trip to the temple on Tuesday. “After 18 trips, you have to plant a coconut tree sapling in the hills. I planted my second sapling when I was there,” he told dna.

He is among the thousands of Mumbaikars who make their annual pilgrimage down south.

According to Nair, the devotees go on this pilgrimage during the Mandala period (November 16 to December 26) and the Makaravilakku season from January 1 to January 19. From December 27 to December 31 the temple is shut.

“The highlight of the Makaravilakku period is Makara Sankranti on January 14 when the divine Makara Jyoti appears in Sabarimala which is witnessed by millions of devotees,’’ he added.

Ravindra Nath, 68, has been wearing black pants to office since November 17 and will do it for another month. It is a ritual he observes every year for his devotion to Lord Ayyappa during the Mandala Kalam season, when Sabiramala temple is open for devotees. This year the temple is open from November 17 to January 17.

Many like Nath wear black clothes, do not shave, shun tobacco and alcohol and walk barefoot and maintain celibacy during the holy season.

In Mumbai, hundreds of associations of devotees like the Shri Ayyappa Bhakta Samiti, Matunga, the Hariharaputra Samaj, Chembur,  the Bangur Nagar Ayyappa temple committee, Goregaon and others organise elaborate annual pujas.

Gujaratis, Kutchis, Punjabis and Maharashtrians too are devotees. Celebrity devotees include actors Jeetendra and Rishi Kapoor.

Lord Ayappa is believed to be the offspring of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (Mohini). It is in the verdant hills of Sabarimala that Lord Ayyappa meditated.

Mandala Kalam is the period when most Ayyappa devotees live an austere life. They fast for 41 days and rid themselves of all addictions. Feeding the hungry is considered to be a big service to the Lord during this period.

“Devotees can also fast for lesser number of days,” said Anand S, trustee of Asthika Samaj, Matunga, which also has one of the oldest Ayyappa temples in the city.

A unique feature of the pilgrimage to Sabarimala is that devotees have to offer prayers at a dargah before proceeding up the hill to the main shrine of Lord Ayyappa.

Guru Swamis are those who have gone for a pilgrimage to Sabarimala Temple for 18 years. “For one to go there, you need to be accompanied by a Guru Swami as he will guide you and make the final offering of a coconut to lord,” said Seeman Swamy, who will be going to Sabarimala for the eighth year.

Dressed in a black shirt and a dhoti, Swamy does not wear slippers and takes a break from his work during this period.