Eighteen Dont's

Eighteen Dont's

The content is taken From the book SHRI MAHASASTRA POOJA KALPAM 

(Written by Shri Bala Dandayudhapani Swamigal in the year 1942)

There are thirty six rituals to be observed and followed for the SABARI MALA YATRA, out of which eighteen(18) DOs and eighteen(18) DONOTs are there..



Eighteen Dont's :-

• While speaking with others, do not address in singular forms. i.e., HE, SHE, IT etc. 

• From the date of Maladharan and the commencement of Vratham, till reaching home after Darsanam and removing of Mala, do not consume any alcoholic, intoxicating substance and avoid eating non-vegeterian food. 

• Avoid oil bath, smoking and chewing of pan during this period. 

• Never get angry under any circumstances. 

• Do not tell lies.

• Do not hurt others feelings either by word or action 

• Do not take part in death ceremony. After the Mala dharan during the Vratham period, if any close relatives passes away, adhere to your family traditions and as far as possible avoid performing the Yatra this time. As per the advise of Guruswamy, late poojya Shri. Kambamkudi Meenakshisundaram, if it is of distant relatives, you can remove the Mala, take bath observe the morning for that period without removing the deeksha and on the completion of the said period, take bath, ,keeping three times very little cow dung every time and then chant SARANAM 108 times or if you had GAYATRI MANTRAM upadesam already, chant 108 times and wear the Mala after purifying it with Panchagavyam, through Guruswamy or in the temple. 

• Do not tease anybody or any living things 

• Do not earn illegal money.

• Do not scold any Ayyappa even they are your disciple. 

• Do not point out other’s mistakes 

• Do not take part in Court Cases and stand surety for anybody during this period. 

• Do not take part in Dramas or in Cinemas in which you have to act in undesirable scenes and avoid seeing such Cinemas. 

• Either knowingly or unknowingly, do not commit sins. 

• Do not go near or touch ladies who are in monthly period. If it happens it is advised to have bath immediately and to take “PANCHAGAVYAM” if available or chant SARANAM 108 times before attending other works. 

• Do not have shaving and hair cuttings during this period. 

• Avoid sleeping day time and to avoid sleeping long time in night. 

• As far as possible avoid taking solid food outside and consume only fresh food. If you have to take food outside, due to unavoidable circumstances, have it after bath and avoid spending money lavishly.

Note :- After having Dharsanam and after reaching home only remove the Malas. On reaching home, breaking coconut at entrance, keep the  Prasadam at your Pooja place at home, take bath, do Harathi for the Prasadam with Naivedyam, distribute the Prasadam for the entire family of  yours and then remove the Mala yourself, duly chanting Saranam or chanting the Manthras for the removal of Mala, if you know it. Removing the Mala en-route is not advisable.


OTHER POINTS COMMONLY TO BE OBSERVED :

• As you have to spend atleast two nights in the forest, during your Yatra and as you won’t get comfortable beds, it is advised to practice by sleeping on mats without pillows.

• In the book form which the above rituals are copied, there is no information about the particular kind of dress to be own during this period. But for identifying as Ayyappas, it has become a custom to wear either black, blue or saffron color dresses 

• As the route through out the forest is slippery as well as with smooth rocks, it is advised to practice walking without foot wear during this period..