Varsha Verse

Many of us, we don’t like rules. Rules are meant to be broken, we say. Rules are so old school. Then why would one follow all these rules, said above. Is it even necessary, did god himself ask us to do it? Will he not accept us the way we are? No right, then why are we even following. Be more practical.

bhoota nAtha sadAnanda, sarva bhoota dayApara |
rakSha rakSha mahAbAho, SAstre tubhyaM namo namaH ||

O Shaastha, the Lord of all beings, our salutations to you who are ever joyous and compassionate to all beings. We pray to you, O Great One, to seek your protection.

Every year, I eagerly anticipate a day that transforms my spirit and reconnects me with my roots.

Tomorrow is Vrishcika 1.

It’s a day I wait for, year after year. I can almost feel the excitement in my bones, like a child who waits eagerly for her father to return home. It’s the one day that has meant so much to me, the day which helped me into the person I am today.

The buzz around Vrishcika 1 would start well in advance. I’d ask my mom, “Mom, how many people wore the maala in Gudi today?” Gudi — that’s what we call the small temple near us. Even now, after all these years, the first thing I ask her every year is the same. Gudi would be filled with devotees getting ready to start their spiritual journey on this day.

I remember my childhood. November, December, and January were like heaven for me and my cousins. We were like two little kids who did everything together. One of the things I will always cherish is the time we spent near the Ayyappa Swami temple. We used wait, when will Vrishcika 1 begin. How many people have put maala? We used discuss, what prasadam would be there for every saturday that’s coming. The vibe of the area really hit different at those times.

Now, I’ll be honest — I wasn’t really thrilled about it back then. For me it was just Food that enchanted me. My mom, my granny, and the whole family would “force” me to go there for pooja. But looking back now, I’m so grateful they did. It’s because of them that my initial reluctance turned into a deep love for Ayyappa Swami.

Vrishcika 1 marks the beginning of the Maala Dharanam (wearing of the sacred garland) for Ayyappa devotees around the world. For many, it’s the first step in a long, sacred journey that will lead them to the Sabarimala temple on January 15.

But you might wonder, what’s the connection between November 16 (Vrishcika 1) and January 15?

Well, the truth is, you can’t just walk into Sabarimala like you would any other temple. There’s a journey to undertake — one that’s filled with devotion, discipline, and penance. And it all begins on Vrishcika 1. Right from the Day 1, one would observe this vritham for 48 days and then set out on a piligrimmage followed by journey filled with walking and trekking to sannidhanam. By the time, it would roughly be around Makara vilakku ceremony (i.e., January 14 or January 15)

The journey is called Vritham — a period of strict penance and observance that lasts for 48 days. And let me tell you, it’s no walk in the park. Back in the day, it wasn’t guaranteed that a person would even make it back from Sabarimala. My grandfather often shared how during his time, it was a big risk. But he’d smile and say, “If Ayyappa calls, don’t worry about anything — just go.”

“If Ayyappa calls, don’t worry about anything — just go.”

It wasn’t until my grandfather and uncle patiently explained the significance of the Mandala Vritham that I truly understood what it meant. As a child, I never really grasped it — but as I grew older and began to feel a deeper connection to Ayyappa, I realized the power behind this discipline. For me, Ayyappa is more than just a deity. He’s a friend. And that’s why I’m sharing these thoughts with you — not to keep them to myself, but to let you, my virtual family, understand a little about Ayyappa and the journey of Vritham.

The Mandala Vritham lasts for 48 days. That’s 48 days of intense discipline, where you’re not just physically preparing yourself for the pilgrimage — you’re mentally and spiritually aligning yourself with Ayyappa.

On the first day of Vrishcika Masam, you go to a nearby temple and wear the sacred maala (garland) in front of the deity. Usually, a Guru Swami does this for you. If a Guru Swami isn’t available, then elders in your family can help. But the key is this: You need the blessing of your family. You can’t just go off searching for God on your own — spirituality never is an escape, you cannot run away from your house hold responsibilities. You are a son, a brother, a husband, a friend and a father, only after this you are a devotee. Same goes for women.

You are a son, a brother, a husband, a friend and a father, only after this you are a devotee.

And why is Vrishcika 1 so special? Because it marks the day when Uttara Nakshatra — the star under which Ayyappa was born — appears. It is because, it is said that ayyappa swami was born of vrishchikam 1, saturday on uttara nakshatram. This trio day would be considered very much auspicious or any one of these can also be considered.

Ayyappa in Sabarimala, is a Dharmashastha (One among 8 shaasthas, as mentioned in Brahmanda Puran). He is a naishchika brahmachari — an eternal celibate. And for devotees who are following the path of Vritham, they must observe a strict celibacy.

This means maintaining purity in thought, word, and action — a discipline known as Kaaya-Vaacha-Manasa in Sanskrit. It’s not just about avoiding physical indulgences; it’s about purifying your entire being.It is said that physically, verbally and mentally one has to maintain celibacy to see and seek Ayyappa swami in his glorious maha yogi form.

There are various websites, elderly swamis, Guruswamis out there is virtual as well as physical world to let out rules, one has to practice while he is under Ayyappa swami deeksha.

Many of us, we don’t like rules. Rules are meant to be broken, we say. Rules are so old school. Then why would one follow all these rules, said above. Is it even necessary, did god himself ask us to do it? Will he not accept us the way we are? No right, then why are we even following. Be more practical.

These are not my words, never would be mine. These words are those who claim themselves “educated”. Look, only if we know the WHY, we worry about HOW.

This is important. Many of them follow rules, some follow it for Ayyappa’s love, Ayyappa’s fear and some for the external appraisals. Do they even know why. There are great lineage of gurus when it comes to Ayyappa deeksha, ask them, they would know. I will help, but this can never be compared to what ocean of knowledge they possess.

All the rules, they have a deeper meaning. It’s only when you understand the why behind the rules that the how becomes clear. It’s not about restrictions; it’s about spiritual growth and discipline.

When you finally make it to Sabarimala, the first thing you’ll see is the 18 sacred steps leading to the temple. For some, they are just steps — but for those on the spiritual path, they represent 18 obstacles you need to overcome before you can meet Ayyappa. These 18 steps symbolize:

The 5 senses
The 8 desires (Kaama, Krodha, Moha, Lobha, Madha, Mastara, Dambha, and Irshya)
The 3 gunas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas)
1 for knowledge (Vidya), and the last one for ignorance (Avidya)

Each step is a test. A test of your senses, your desires, your ego. The journey to climb these steps is a journey of inner transformation. Only when you conquer these internal barriers can you say you are ready to meet Ayyappa. And when you finally reach the top, you are greeted with the divine mantra, “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa” and the universal truth “Tathwamasi” (You are that). A reminder that Ayyappa is not somewhere out there — He is within you.

TATHWAMASI – YOU ARE THAT

In today’s world, Ayyappa Swami seems to embody the teachings of Advaita — the philosophy of non-duality. He reminds us that the divine isn’t a distant, unreachable force. It’s within each of us. By following the Mandala Vritham, by observing the rules and discipline, you’re not just preparing to meet Ayyappa — you’re preparing to realize your own divine nature.

Ayyappa doesn’t ask for blind obedience. He asks for a little sacrifice, a liitle search, a lots of love. Love him with all that you have and he will take place of a Guru in your life. If Bhoothanatha himself is charioteer of your life, the chariot of your life reaches only that is called “victory”. And once you begin this Vritham, you’ll realize — He is not out there waiting for you; He’s been within you all along.

He is not out there waiting for you; He’s been within you all along.

I’ve never been to Sabarimala. But I’ve heard countless stories, especially from my grandfather, who once dreamed of visiting Sabarimala. My maternal uncle has made the pilgrimage over 13 times. I’m sharing what I’ve learned — which is just a small drop in the vast ocean of Ayyappa Tatwa. The true depth of Ayyappa’s wisdom is still unexplored, and only a handful of people dedicate themselves to understanding it. If I’ve managed to share even a tiny seed of this knowledge with you, then I’m content.

Thank you for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!