SABARIMALA DARSANA VIDHIKAL

SABARIMALA DARSANA VIDHIKAL

Chengannur Thittamel Vishnumaya Devi Temple is very much unique with its Idol concept. Even though Vishnu Maya means The Supreme Goddess Durga, there are other forms for Vishnu Maya, as Durga (Aadi Paraasakti), resplendent with four arms, Sankhu, Chakra,  Gada and Padma, appeared in front of Lord Vishnu who was resting on a Banyan Tree leaf in the form of a Baby (Unni Kannan)  in the turbulent sea , the Yoga Maya who took birth in Gokula as Yasodha’s daughter and as Vishnu Maya,the concept as the Mother of Lord Ayyappa (the Kaliyuga Varadan). 

Therefore it would be very special to fill the Irumudi kettu (the only travelling kit which a pilgrim carries on his head during the pilgrimage), from this temple, to go to Sabarimala.  Understanding this speciality, many prominent devotees fill their Irumudi from this temple which is one of the pilgrimageshelters for Ayyappas all over the world. 

Now, to the convenience of the devotees, the temple trust has made available, all the necessary arrangements and facilities (including the things required) to fill the Irumudi kettu. Those who come to the Chengannur Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Station can reach the Vishnuma Temple and fill their Irumudi Kettu and proceed to Sabarimala from here.  The Irumudi Kettu will be filled after the evening pooja at 6 pm.

Lord Ayyappa is Shaiva-Vaishnava Sambhavan.  Lord Ayyappa incarnated as the son of Mohini or Vishnumaya, the female persona of Lord Vishnu  and Lord Shiva.  Devotees worship Lord Ayyappa in the Neelimala, where the Lord is meditating.Here the Lord and Devotee become one.  Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths, irrespective of religion, caste and creed, people visit the Lord once in a year and on the first day of the Malayalam month.

As the Lord Ayyappa Temple is in the middle of the forest, people go in group to see the Lord. On the first day of the Malayalam month, Vrischikam, the devotees wear the holy chain made of sandal, tulasi, pearl, glass, conch, rudraksha, root of darpha grass, gold and silver which will be worn until the day they come back after the visit.  Mala (holy chain) should be worn either from a temple or Guruswamy. During these days, they do fasting, (which means, take shower very early in the morning,  and in the evening, go to the nearest temple, drink the holy water, say Swamiye Ayyappa (saranam vili) in the morning and evening, eat only fresh and vegetarian food. Limit talks and do not lie to anyone. Keep internal and external hygiene and purity, keep brahma charya, join the group of Ayyappas and offer pooja and anna daana according to the ability. Ladies and small girls are called Malikappuram.  Females between the age of 10 and 50 are not allowed to visit the temple.

Irumudi kettu can be filled at the devotee’s own house or the temple.  A Priest or Guruswamy should keep the irumudi kettu on the devotee’s head, say Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa, take round of the temple or the pooja place, break the coconut and proceed to the east.  It is necessary to wear black cloth and pray to Karuppa Swamy, give dakshina to the Guruswamy.

Recently it is noted that almost all the people leave the things they carry in the Irumudi kettu at the place they wish, may be due to ignorance.  It would be very important to have the information about the places where exactly they should put their offerings while going to have a darshan of Lord Ayyappa. Irumudi is a very special bag used to carry things required to take with the devotee. 

Kanni Ayyapas, those who go to visit Lord Ayyappa for the first time, use red Irumudis. Hindus begin everything by offering something to Lord Ganapati.  The place where Lord Ganapati stays is known as Kannimoola. The Irumudi has two parts, front and back.  The front part (Mun kettu) contains things for the Swami Pooja and the back part (Pin kettu) contains the food and other required items for the devotees.  Nowadays the devotees use a shoulder bag also to carry personal belongings.  The Irumudi kettu is placed on a folded cotton towel and a very big sheet on the head.   To wear while travelling, the devotees use black, blue and saffron dhotis.

Lord Ayyappa has special parivaras.  On the right at the Doorstep, Karuppa Swami stays, and on the left, Kadatha Swami. On kanni, Ganapathi and Naagaas, Malikappurathamma on the Vayukon, and navagraha kshetra and Vavaru Swami are there.  Erumeli is the place where Lord performed His Thandava.  The body of the Mahishi was in the Azhutha medu.  Devotees call it ‘Kallidum kunnu’.  Kruthikas stay where the Mahishi was buried and as per Lord Shiva’s order, devotees have to put a ‘small stone’ there and pray.

Turmeric powder, camphor, incense sticks, ashtagandha, holy ash, sandal cubes, rose water, coconut with ghee, dry rice (raw rice), saffron powder, fried rice powder, rice flakes, popped rice, jiggery, sugar cubes, raisins, kadali banana, beetle leaves, areca nuts, nava dhanyam, honey, etc. for pooja can be filled in the front part.  Coconut to break, dresses, sheets, lantern, utensil, holy ash to use after shower, etc. can be filled in the back part.  Turmeric powder, saffron should be given for abhisheka at Malikappuram.  Pepper, ashtagandha, incense sticks, rose water, etc. is kept at the Vavaru Nada.

The coconut with ghee can be given inside the Sannidhana for abhishekam. One half of the coconut can be put in the fire place, the other half can be brought back with prasada.  Coconut should be broken at the Ganapati temple and pathinettam padi. Coconut should be rolled at Malikappuram.  Dry rice be given at Sannidhana and get free payasam from there.  Beetle leaves, areca nut and coins together as a concept of ‘kaani ponnu’ can be put in the box kept at the Sannidhanam.  One packet of turmeric powder be kept at the Nagar Nada.  Tobacco for Karuppa Swamy, Navadhanya for Navagrahas.  Offer rice flakes, poped rice, jiggery, sugar cubes, raisins, honey, kadali bananas, etc. together at Malikappuram or Sannidhanam for nivedyam. If enough things are there, put them at the other parivaaras of Lord Ayyappa.  

       

When the devotee returns after the darshan at Sannidhanam, the mala can be removed at own house or the temple and relieved from the fasting.

The manthra to remove the mala is:

“APOORVAMACHALAAROHE DIVYA DARSANA KAARANA,

SAASTRA MUDRAATMAKA DEVA, DEHIME VRATHA MOCHANA”.

SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA

WHO IS A HINDU

HE IS A HINDU WHO IS RESTLESS AND NEVER SATISFIED WITH THE DULL ROUTINE OF LIFE; WHO YEARNS FOR THE FINER VALUES OF LIFE; WHO KNOWS HOW TO LIVE MANLY INSTEAD OF DYING SHAMELESSLY.

It is easy to die, in a train or taxi accident, on a sick-bed in the Hospital; in cross-firing between two rival factions. What is, however, difficult is how to live, -manly and nobly for a cause, - and work for it, pursuing it to the logical end. You live, work, grind, and convert your dreams into a reality. You organise the Hindus and for that purpose you live. That is life worth living.

Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, founder of the RSS did not mount the scaffold like a martyr. He lived long, he worked long, he executed a silent crusade for the regeneration of Hindu society. His life did many wonders which no death of any other man could do. He knew how to live.

It is always the restless Hindu, whose mind is composed but whose heart is surcharged with the battery of activity, who can work wonders. No press headlines, no camera shots, no Television tricks, but, like the every-busy ant, always running after its goal.

Alexander wanted to conquer the whole world, Hitler subjugated entire Europe and dreamt himself as the Great Emperor of Europe; Mussolini, not satisfied with his own Italy, attacked the economically poor Abbysinia (now Ethiopa) in Africa; Jinnah, not satisfied with wresting 'Pakistan' from the Hindus, sent his Afridi Pathan tribesmen to Kashmir to loot, rape and murder.

THIS IS NOT THE SIGN OF CREATIVE RESTLESSNESS, but destructive aggrandisement, for self-glorification which culminates in delusion. It digs its own grave.

A Hindu, on the other hand, will fortify his country and beautify his religion because Hindusthan and Hinduism are inseparable to a Hindu. Faith and Fatherland are inter-twined.

A Hindu should so live that when he dies, even the coffin-carriers should weep for him, -not as a matter of formality, but as a tribute of their wounded and tortured heart at the death of a child of immortal bliss. Sometimes the heart weeps, but the eyes are dry,- as happened when Guruji Golwalkar died in Nagpur.

As Sister Devamata said, "God does not shield us from battle; He fights it with us. He wishes us to be heroic, not faint-hearted and unmanly; and we become heroes by battles, not by flight or shielding. If God carried us from the field always, we would soon learn to be cowards. Without struggle we cannot gain endurance, and endurance is the measure of our strength".

Vishnumaya Temple, Chengannur

Vishnumaya Devi Temple, known as Dakshina Vishno Devi Temple,  is situated at Chengannur, near railway station, between private and KSRTC bus stations. This temple stands ahead among other holy shrines due to the peculiarities pertaining to the main deity worshiped here. This is a rare and unique murthi i.e. Vishnumaya, vibrant with spiritual power that exerts an enriching influence on the devotees.

It is considered to be a thousand years old. Olden times have been reminiscing many legendary events about this sacred temple and it's supreme deity, Vishnumaya devi, who is also known as Thittamel Amma.

The temple is administered by Thittamel Devaswom Trust and Adv. Prakash D.Namboodiri (Melsanthi and Karyadarshi). Devi chaithanya is increasing day by day as all the rituals and rites are being done fully scientifically, thanthrically, with dedication and sincerity. The Sreekovil is facing to the east. Inside the Sreekovil, the glorious idol of the Supreme Mother of the Universe, resplendent with four arms and effulgent face depicting motherly affection. The idol has Vaishnava features as is evident from the weapons in the four hands. Chakra and Conch in the two upper arms and the lower left arm is resting at the waist and a lotus flower in the right arm.

This is the only South Indian Temple which embraces the great peculiarity and magic power of Vishnumaya murthy. All those who come to Devi's abode and pray from the heart will be blessed by the Devi with prosperity, good health, education, employment, marriage, children etc. The simple darshan of Devi cause to prosperity in life.

The temple is Known as VAISHNO DEVI of the South and the timing is 6 am to 10 am in the morning and 5.30 to - 7.30 in the evening.

The Temple trust administered by Shri Prakash Namboodiri, is conducting a 7 days Narayaneeya Sathram since 2012.  As the power of AMMA is increasing, the number of devotees are also increasing.  The participation of devotees has also increased in the recent Narayaneeya Sathram.  The sathram was from 5th October and 12th October and was a very big success.

Prosperity of a temple is the prosperity of the place where it situates. People should visit the temple every day and participate in all the festivals and events.