The call of Ayyappa – The Hindu

In the Bhagavatham, Prahlada says there is no enemy beyond one’s own mind if it is uncontrolled and adds that the supreme worship of the Lord lies in keeping the mind unperturbed and even. In the Kali Yuga, most people find it difficult to control the wavering mind, to correct which, they seek divine grace, by visiting temples. The inner peace and joy experienced by a devotee standing in front of his favourite deity is immeasurable. The tougher the access to a temple, the more number of devotees are drawn to it. There are some temples which call for austere adherence: restrictions on food, restraint on senses and sensory pleasures and channeling all thoughts towards the Supreme Being. The Sabarimala Ayyappan temple is one such, said P. Swaminathan.

From the first day of the Tamil month of Karthigai, to the first day of Thai, the black wave pulsates everywhere, with young and old alike begin their spiritual journey, culminating in the visit to Sabarimala for the Makar Jyoti darshan, that follows Thai Pongal. Devotees begin this special journey by going to a nearby temple, chant the Sarana Gosham, wear the tulsi garland with the help of the Guruswami and begin their austerity, clad in black. During the observance of this fast, they observe strict traditions of fasting (eating only twice), abstaining from meat-based meals, giving up consumption of liquor, tobacco-based products, forgoing conjugal rights, bathing twice a day, etc, practices which are aimed at cleansing the mind and body. The mass chants of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” fill the air and during this phase, many of those observing the fast are even addressed as ‘swami’ by many. The journey to Sabarimala temple is undertaken from Erumeli and Pampa. Puranas say that Lord Rama performed tarpan for his father at the Pampa river; therefore, a number of devotees follow that practice as well.

The call of Ayyappa is call to self control, which in turn helps one reach the Lord.