Kavadi Vritham

Observance of Vritha Kavadi vritha is observed by the devotees after wearing a maala(strand) bearing the Ayyappa or Muruga mudra.They usually wear Kavi dhothi and observe complete celebacy. It is normally taken in the month of Khumbam - Meenam as the vritha period should last for at least 21 days. For kids there are exceptions in vritha. Fasting The very first rituals of Kavadi Vritha is fasting. As a mark of the fasting a Tulsi maala or a Rudraksha maala is put on. This is named Maladharanam or Mudradharanam. It is normally done by receiving the mala from the Neervilakom temple after a mala pooja conducted by the main priest. The mala is worn with prayers of the lord Dharmashastha. Maaladharanam Kavadi devotees wear a mala to mark the begining of their vritha for Uthram Festival. 'Maaladharanam' is aimed at the entire change in the daily life of the devotee. It is for concentrating the mind on Dharmasastha, the symbol of all virtue and purity. Each devotee is called 'Swami' as he is considered pure and dedicated. Austerities & Regulations The austerities and regulations that has to be strictly followed for taking Kavadi Vratham at Neervilakom Temple. The vritham has to be undertaken after getting permission from parents. After this, the date is fixed to start the vritham. The previous day before the said date, one has to offer prayers to ones' family deity, thereby taking Her/His permission to commence the vritham. Previous day before starting the vritham, the devotee will cleanly shave, clip his nails, trim his hair and make himself physically clean. The holy mala / garland (tulsi / uthradsham) should be cleaned and smeared with sandal paste and placed before the portrait of Lord Ayyappa. On the day of starting the vritham the devotee shall wake up early, bathe and offer prayers to family deity, Navagrahas. The mala has to be received from the main priest with the chants of Hara Haro Hara Hara. After wearing the mala the devotee starts his pious life. The devotee shall withdraw from all social activities and spend his time by taking part in prayers, poojas, bajans, visiting temples, cleaning temples, feeding the poor, helping the poor/sick and attending religious discourses.

He shall take only vegetarian food and refrain 100% from taking meat, intoxicating drinks / drugs, chewing betel leaves and from smoking. He shall bathe twice, if possible thrice, daily and perform pooja by at least chanting 108 Ayyappan Saranam. He shall continuously chant Saranam Ayyappa in mind, both at work and at home. He shall not hurt anybody verbally or physically. He shall treat all co-devotees as Lord Ayyappan himself and serve them in all the ways. He shall not feel proud of the respect and privileges he gets when he is wearing the holy mala. When others prostrate themselves on his feet he shall not feel proud but dedicate the same to Lord Ayyappan and say aloud 'Lord Save everybody for their faith in you'. He shall not cause inconvenience to his family members on account on observing the vritham. He shall strictly follow brahmacharya (celibacy) and refrain from sex, avoid thinking of sex, avoid developing a passion for women including his wife, and treat all women with motherly feeling. He shall not apply oil to his hair and shall not take bath with oil smeared over his body. He shall not attend any social functions like birthdays, engagement, wedding etc. and shall not take food in anyone's home who is not observing vritham. He shall avoid being in the proximity of dead body and shall not eat anything till he bathes if he accidentally sees a dead body. He shall always carry a tulsi leaf with him to prevent him from evil feeling and from Thitu. He shall not sleep on bed but on floor, he shall not use pillow but wooden block, he shall not use footwear but walk with bare feet. He shall totally surrender himself to Lord Ayyappa. One should remember that Lord Ayyappan of Neervilakom will continue to shower his blessings on any one who observes the above rules strictly. Visit to Temples After Maaladharanam and before the Uthram day, one has to turn towards piety by visiting the temple twice a day and taking bath at holy pond near temple. He should recite Keerthanas and prayers and do poojas, offering his mind to God.

'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' and Hara Haro Hara Hara should be chanted at least on two occasions a day. Kavi dhothies are selected by the Devotees to wear. During these days, the Devotees should take bath before dawn and wear the sacred ash or Kalabham got from the temple. It symbolises a retreat from worldly life by offering the mind to God. Celebacy Pure Brahmacharya (celibacy) is to be practised by a Devotee during the entire Vritham period. It is to be practised in word, deed and thought. Only vegetarian food, instantly cooked, and fresh fruits are to be eaten. The Devotees should sleep only on matresses avoiding pillows. Sathyam and Ahimsa During the whole period of the Vratham, the Devotee has to practice Satyam, Ahimsa and simple life. Yama and Niyama should all be practised. A Devotee ought to be'Nishkama and Nishkrodha'. A Devotee should love all. He must be the embodiment of chastity and charity -- in short all the good human qualities. All these direct penances purify the body and mind of the devotee. Thus undertaking all such hardships for the Kavadiyattam, his mind reaches the divine peak by chanting the name of Dharma Sastha.