Rules, Rituals, and Poojas During Makara Vilakku
On January 07, 2025Makara Vilakku is an important festival in Kerala that is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the son born to Lord Shiva and Vishnu in the form of Mohini. Also called Dharma Sastha, Ayyappa is a celibate god. Women of menstruating age are not allowed at the temple despite a Supreme Court order allowing their entry. Also, devotees planning to visit the shrine have to observe a rigorous penance for 41 days, called Mandala kaalam. People from all over south India make the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala, where the shrine is located, to worship Ayyappa, who is believed to be a powerful deity who can grant their wishes.
Makara Vilakku festival falls on the first day of the Malayalam month, Makaram (January-Feb). The day coincides with Makara Sankranti when the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn. It also marks the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayana Punya Kaalam, when the Sun begins its northward journey. This period is supposedly the dawn time of the gods. Sighting the Makara Jyoti is an important part of the festival. It is the Sirius star that rises in the evening in the east of Sabarimala, above the Ponnambalamedu hill. On the other hand, Makaravilakku refers to the bright light that shines thrice in Ponnambalamedu. Sighting the Makara Jyoti marks the beginning of the festival, which lasts for 7 days.
The preparations for the Makaravilakku festival begin on the first day of the Malayalam month, Vrischikam (Nov-Dec).
Rituals of Makaravilakku
One of the major rituals involves the Thiruvabharanam or gold ornaments of the deity. These are in the custody of the Pandalam royals, who keep them in their palace. These are taken in a grand procession from the palace to the temple. Curiously, an eagle always hovers above the procession as it makes its way to the temple. On arriving at the temple, the eagle circles the temple 9 times. In Hindu mythology, the eagle or Garuda is the mount of Lord Vishnu.
The procession reaches the temple in the evening. After adorning Ayyappa’s idol with the ornaments, there is a Deeparadhana (offering of lighted lamps) to the deity.
When devotees see the Makara Jyoti, they chant ‘Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa’ in unison with great fervor and devotion. Then, the Makaravilakku is also seen, shining 3 times on the hilltop. This is actually a man-made light or Arti offered by the tribals at the temple in Ponnambalamedu, though initially, devotees believed it was a light of celestial origin. For the devotees, witnessing Makaravilakku confirms Ayyappa’s presence and blessings.
After this ritual, the devotees receive aravana payasam and appam as Prasad.
Mandala Vratam Rules
Mandala vratam begins on the first day of Vrischikam month. This is a 41-day period of austerities, which is mandatory for pilgrims intending to visit Sabarimala.
Girls below 10 years old and women above 50 years old can visit Sabarimala.
One should not have food during the day. One vegetarian meal can be consumed. The fast is to purify the body, mind, and soul.
Devotees should wear a necklace or mala comprising Rudraksha and tulsi beads along with a locket of Ayyappa. They can remove it after sighting the Makaravilakku and the Pooja.
No smoking, drinking, gambling, or consumption of non-veg food are allowed during Mandala Kaalam.
One has to remain celibate for 41 days.
Devotees cannot use footwear. They need to sleep on the floor and bathe in cold water.
They should avoid all comforts and luxuries.
They should pray twice and meditate daily.
Men cannot trim their hair or shave their beard and mustache.
Devotees should wear only black, navy blue, or saffron-colored clothes till the festival ends.
One should not hurt or harm others.
Pilgrims have to carry ‘irumudi’ or ‘ketunira.’ This is a cloth bundle which has 2 parts, containing a coconut and rice and ghee. They offer these to Ayyappa on reaching Sabarimala.
After receiving darshan at Pampa and taking part in the Pooja at the Pampa Ganapati temple, pilgrims have to walk barefoot to the Sabarimala temple. Beyond Pampa, vehicles do not ply.
After seeing Makara Vilakku and taking part in the Pooja at the Ayyappa temple, one should visit the Krishna temple at Guruvayur.
The 41-day vrat ends after the Makaravilakku festival. But some devotees choose to stay for another 7 days and witness the Guruthi Pooja as well.
Makara Vilakku festival falls on the first day of the Malayalam month, Makaram (January-Feb). The day coincides with Makara Sankranti when the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn. It also marks the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayana Punya Kaalam, when the Sun begins its northward journey. This period is supposedly the dawn time of the gods. Sighting the Makara Jyoti is an important part of the festival. It is the Sirius star that rises in the evening in the east of Sabarimala, above the Ponnambalamedu hill. On the other hand, Makaravilakku refers to the bright light that shines thrice in Ponnambalamedu. Sighting the Makara Jyoti marks the beginning of the festival, which lasts for 7 days.
The preparations for the Makaravilakku festival begin on the first day of the Malayalam month, Vrischikam (Nov-Dec).
Rituals of Makaravilakku
One of the major rituals involves the Thiruvabharanam or gold ornaments of the deity. These are in the custody of the Pandalam royals, who keep them in their palace. These are taken in a grand procession from the palace to the temple. Curiously, an eagle always hovers above the procession as it makes its way to the temple. On arriving at the temple, the eagle circles the temple 9 times. In Hindu mythology, the eagle or Garuda is the mount of Lord Vishnu.
The procession reaches the temple in the evening. After adorning Ayyappa’s idol with the ornaments, there is a Deeparadhana (offering of lighted lamps) to the deity.
When devotees see the Makara Jyoti, they chant ‘Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa’ in unison with great fervor and devotion. Then, the Makaravilakku is also seen, shining 3 times on the hilltop. This is actually a man-made light or Arti offered by the tribals at the temple in Ponnambalamedu, though initially, devotees believed it was a light of celestial origin. For the devotees, witnessing Makaravilakku confirms Ayyappa’s presence and blessings.
After this ritual, the devotees receive aravana payasam and appam as Prasad.
Mandala Vratam Rules
Mandala vratam begins on the first day of Vrischikam month. This is a 41-day period of austerities, which is mandatory for pilgrims intending to visit Sabarimala.
Girls below 10 years old and women above 50 years old can visit Sabarimala.
One should not have food during the day. One vegetarian meal can be consumed. The fast is to purify the body, mind, and soul.
Devotees should wear a necklace or mala comprising Rudraksha and tulsi beads along with a locket of Ayyappa. They can remove it after sighting the Makaravilakku and the Pooja.
No smoking, drinking, gambling, or consumption of non-veg food are allowed during Mandala Kaalam.
One has to remain celibate for 41 days.
Devotees cannot use footwear. They need to sleep on the floor and bathe in cold water.
They should avoid all comforts and luxuries.
They should pray twice and meditate daily.
Men cannot trim their hair or shave their beard and mustache.
Devotees should wear only black, navy blue, or saffron-colored clothes till the festival ends.
One should not hurt or harm others.
Pilgrims have to carry ‘irumudi’ or ‘ketunira.’ This is a cloth bundle which has 2 parts, containing a coconut and rice and ghee. They offer these to Ayyappa on reaching Sabarimala.
After receiving darshan at Pampa and taking part in the Pooja at the Pampa Ganapati temple, pilgrims have to walk barefoot to the Sabarimala temple. Beyond Pampa, vehicles do not ply.
After seeing Makara Vilakku and taking part in the Pooja at the Ayyappa temple, one should visit the Krishna temple at Guruvayur.
The 41-day vrat ends after the Makaravilakku festival. But some devotees choose to stay for another 7 days and witness the Guruthi Pooja as well.