Dec 18 2010 - Mala Dharanama & Ayyappa Sahasranama/Laksharchana

The Ayyappa Mandala Season is in full swing at our Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple.

This coming Saturday, the puja and bhajans will start at 4:30 PM to give us extra time to handle kids mala dhaarana. If you have not already given your name, please send an email to ravi.devaraj@gmail.com if you are interested in mala dhaarana for yourself and/or your kid. Girls under the age of 10 and women over the age of 50 can do mala dhaarana and perform Irumudi puja which will be performed at the temple on December 26th at 9:00 AM.

Last weekend (12/11) we had 25-30 kids from Sarada Bhajan Mandali perform bhajans. They sang songs for all the gods and the entire temple was reverberating with the positive vibrations from the songs that the kids were singing.

LAKSHAARCHANA

As you all know, we have introduced the Sahasranama during our weekend bhajans. Our priests are doing a wonderful job in conducting the sahasranama.

If we have a 100 people performing Sahasranama at the same time, it is called a Lakshaarchana. If we have 50 people and we perform the Sahasranama two times, that also constitutes a Lakshaarchana. We request all devoteeds to come this weekend and participate in the Sahasranama so we can try and make it a lakshaarchana. Please note that if husband and wife perform Sahasranama, it counts as two people. Please bring your friends and relatives and ask them to participate in the sahasranama/Lakshaarchana.

A few devotees asked about the meaning of Laksharchana. Laksharchana is "Worship with the recital of a lakh of divine names of a deity." The way we are planning to do it is to have 100 (or more) of our devotees recite the Ayyappa Sahasranamam at the same time along with the priest.

I request all devotees to bring flowers to the temple this weekend.

I have uploaded a copy of the Ayyappa Sahasranamam in all four languages (tamil, telugu, malayalam, and english) to our www.ayyappasamaaj.org web site. You will need to register to the ayyappasamaaj.org site to gain access to the link.


http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/apps/links/

Swami Saranam!
Prasad

Nov 15 - Dec 25 2009: Ayyappa Mandala Puja: Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple

Ayyappasamaaj of San Francisco Bay Area (http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/) will grandly celebrate its Annual Ayyappa Mandala Puja at the The Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore between Nov 15th and Dec 25th.

With the grace of Lord Ayyappa we are ready to begin this year's Mandalam season on Nov 15th. We invite you, your family, and your friends to come participate in the planned devotional activities and receive the grace of Lord Ayyappa. If you are planning to wear mala this season to observe viratham and/ or take Irumudi, please let us know in advance.
The months of Kaartika / Vrishchika, Maargazhi / Dhanur are most auspicious for Lord Ayyappa, during which period Mandala Puja is celebrated. Devotees observe traditional austerities (vratham), which normally start from the first day of Kaartika/ Vrishchikam (November 15). Devotees initiate the vratham by wearing a Thulasi or a Rudraksha mala. After 41 days (on December 25th) the devotees end their vratham by carrying Irumudi and removing the mala. (Kids can observe short vratham days by wearing mala on December 19th and end it on December 25th). Irumudi is a cloth bag with two compartments containing offerings for the Lord.

Nov 15 5pm - Mandalam begins with Sankalpam, Mala Dharana, Abishekam, Archana, and Bhajans followed by Dinner Prasadam
Dec 19 5 PM Mala Dharana for kids followed by Bhajans and Aarathi
Nov 21, 28, Dec 5, 12 - Weekly Bhajan on Saturdays at 6pm followed by Aarti –
Dec 25 9 AM - Mandalam ends with Irumudi Puja, Abishekam, Archana, and Bhajans followed by Lunch Prasadam

This is an excellent opportunity for children to learn Ayyappa bhajans and sing them during the Puja. We will be performing Irumudi Puja on December 25th. Last year we had over 20 Ayyappas do the Irumudi Puja (including over 10 children)

- Please participate with your family on Nov 15 and Dec 25
- Please bring your children to learn Ayyappa bhajans on Saturdays (Nov 21, 28, Dec 5, 12)
- Please forward this email with the attached flyer to at least five of your friends and family. Ask them to sign for Ayyappasamaaj Yahoo Groups. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ayyappasamaaj/join)
- If you are interested in taking vrutham (deeksha) this year, please contact us immediately. We can provide you with Thulasi Mala to begin your vrutham. Several other activities are planned as well and we'll update you as we go along.

Please help spread the word by forwarding this to your friends.For more information, please visit the temple web site at http://livermoretemple.org org

For information call: Prasad Ramakrishnan (408) 705-8172, Ravi Shankar (650) 302-3612, Sudhakar Deevi (925) 518-4521, Manoj Empranthiri (408) 309-0695, Usha Namboodri (925) 803-1249

To join our mailing list, please sign up for our Yahoo Group (groups.yahoo.com/group/ayyappasamaaj/join)

Grand Celebration of Ayyappa Mandala Puja (2008) at Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple (Livermore, California)

LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA

The Shiva Vishnu temple in Livermore, California kicked off the start of the Ayyappa Mandala Puja in a very grand manner on November 15, 2008.

The function was very well attended. We had 250+ devotees participating in the event. Over 200 devotees ate the special dinner (Vegetable Sambar Rice, Potato Curry, Curd Rice and Chakkara Pongal) that was prepared by the volunteers at the temple. The volunteers from Ayyappa Samaaj (YahooGroups: Ayyappasamaaj -- Click here to join Ayyappasamaaj: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ayyappasamaaj/join) sponsored the Annadhana on November 15th morning and also prepared the food that morning.

We had Thalapolli (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLlvuV8hlSs ) for our Lord Ayyappa to the accompaniment of "Chenda", the traditional music in all Kerala temples. Over 50 women and children participated in the Thalapolli. Thalappoli, a ceremonial procession, is a significant item in most of the festivals in Kerala In this ritual, women or young girls carry thalam, which literally means plate, in their hands. Thalam is filled with rice, flowers and a lighted lamp. Thalappoli is considered a symbol of prosperity

The 18 steps for Lord Ayyappa was renovated and there were special decorations around the 18 steps.

We had bhajans for Lord Ayyappa that was sung in many languages with participation from people of all age groups. Many "Ayyappas" commenced their vratam by wearing the Thulasi Mala during the function. Many more "ayyappas" are scheduled to wear the Mala on November 23rd. There were over 30 volunteers from Bay Area Ayyappasamaaj who actively participated in the preparation and smooth conduct of the proceedings of the the puja.

We had video coverage and photo coverage for the event. The video coverage is being edited and will be ready in the next few days. We are also uploading the content to http://www.youtube.com/. You can access the links by typing "Ayyappa Mandala Puja" and looking for the name "tbombom".

Here are the links to the content that has already been uploaded:
Ayyappa Mandala Puja Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUIg-a5QrLs
Ayyappa Mandala Puja Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0SC22ZZ3EMA
Ayyappa Mandala Puja Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9KeFpdHDBY
Ayyappa Mandala Puja Part 4 (Thalapolli): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLlvuV8hlSs
Ayyappa Mandala Puja Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWfjfU9wvBI


Click here to join Ayyappasamaaj: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ayyappasamaaj/join

Swami Saranam!

Prasad

Significance of Vratam before pilgrimage to Sabarimala

The meaning of the Vratam is a “Vow” or “Resolution.” When you undertake the Vratam for your pilgrimage to Sabarimala, you are taking a vow or a resolution to perform a certain set of activities and a vow or resolution to not perform certain other types of activities.

Clothes
The donning of the traditional black, blue or saffron clothes during the Vratam period has its own significance.

• Blue: First the Lord is described as Neela Megha Shyamala Varnan. Most devotees wear the Blue colored Mundu, to associate themselves with the Lord.
• Black: Lord Saneeshwara is ebony black in colour. And those people (Ayyappa Swamis) who suffer from Sani Doshams, are instructed by their Guruswamis to wear black Mundus, so that they may be released from Sani’s maleficent effects. Apart from this they are also guided to chant the 12 stotras that are pleasing to Saneeswara as they climb the Sabari Malai so that when the Ayyappa Bhakthas reach the top, Sani Bhagavan would have removed himself from their lives.
• Saffron/Kaavi: Certain Ayyappa Bhakthas who live the life of a Sanyasi within the Grihasthasrama , detached attachment, wear Kavi vastram
• White: Those who without any self interest devote their attention entirely on Him, wear white veshtis, as they consider Him as Nirguna Bhagavan.
  

Wearing the colored Mundu also has the added advantage of letting the others know that you are observing the Vratam. This is especially important as it relates to letting women know, so that they can distance themselves from the males who are observing Vratam.

Cleansing and Conditioning
The purpose of the Mandala Vratam is to cleanse the body and soul of the devotee and to prepare a devotee both physically and mentally for the journey.

A number of Ayyappa devotees are under the impression that they must desert their homes and stay in a secluded place while observing Vratam. This is not applicable in the present day. It was in vogue in those years in Kerala, where devotees used to go and stay in the temple mandap during the Mandalam season. The reason for that was due to the non availability of space for the women folk in their houses to be away from the main house during their periods. This was practiced during 1950s and 60s.

The most important thing to be observed is Celibacy and chanting of Saranams. All other things are secondary, including food habits. Of course, you have to follow strict vegetarian food. Some people avoid onion and garlic because they are considered to be aphrodisiacs; otherwise all other vegetarian food is allowed.

In those days, there was no short cut. One had either to trek the Peru Vazhi (periya paadhai – 40 KM) or the Pullumedu route, which was originally longer and tougher than the present day route. People used to return all the way through the Peruvazhi, after having Dharshan. In the present day, devotees have the option of trekking the Peru Vazhi or trekking the 7KM journey from Pampa to Sannidhaanam. In either case, you will be trekking through extremely steep mountains and wading through large crowds.

The Vratam is intended to condition your body and mind to undertake the journey. Here are some things that you can observe and the reasons for the same:

• Take bath in cold/ lukewarm water twice a day - you don't get hot water in the forest!
• Pray/ meditate to Lord soon after bath (twice a day) - prepares you for the mental journey
• Be patient in every activity you do from driving to talking to spouse/kids/coworkers - you need lot of patience to undergo a 60kms trek not knowing what's in store
• Don’t consume alcohol, tobacco, etc. - these are detrimental to the physical strength required (imagine you won't be doing these if you were training for marathon either)
• Substitute one meal with only fruits (for breakfast / dinner), eat rice only one time a day (lunch/ dinner), eat chapatti (or something else) to round out the meals - this prepares you for the little food you get during the trek
• Do not wearing footwear - you need to walk barefoot over the rocks during your trek through the Lord’s Poongaavanam (forest)!
• Sleep on the floor without pillow - you don't get beds in the forest!
  

Food
Pray to the Lord before each meal and thank him for the meal. Lord Ayyappa is considered to be Annadhaana Prabhu. Try and feed the poor whenever possible. If you are living in the US, you may consider making Prasadam and taking it to the temple and distribute the Prasadam to other devotees.

Avoid consuming processed or packaged food. This only hurts your body. You should try and condition your body to be in as perfect a state as possible in preparation of the pilgrimage. If practical, devotees should eat only food cooked fresh at home by a person who had showered and prayed before preparing the food. Previous day food is considered to be stale and should be thrown away and not consumed whenever possible. Eat fresh fruits in lieu of chips and other “junk food.” Onion, Garlic should be avoided because of they are considered to be aphrodisiacs.

Be Practical

The one principle which our Guruswamy (who has been going to Sabarimala for over half a century) believes in is that Lord Ayyappa is our bosom friend. As long as you completely surrender to Him (sharanaagatham), and observe Bramacharya during the period, nothing else is mandatory and should be followed in the spirit of the concept. At a minimum, devotees should try and do the Namaskara Slokam (Loka Veeram …) and say as many Sharanams as possible. Each time you say the Sharanams, you are telling Lord Ayyappa that you are surrendering to Him.

During the Vratam period, devotees should try and spend as much time in the temple as possible. If there is an Ayyappa Puja happening in your area, you should try and attend it. Lord Ayyappa loves songs and bhajans, as is evidenced by the number of CDs and cassettes thar you see released every year with songs sung in His praise. Devotees should try to attend as many of the Ayyappa bhajans as possible.

The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is the best example of how He shows us that all of us are equal. You do not know whether the devotee who is trekking alongside you is the CEO of a company or a laborer. All are equal in His eyes. As a devotee, you should try and follow this principle as much as possible. You should look for opportunities to help with the organization of the puja, and assist other fellow devotees whenever possible.

The question that is frequently asked is --- Is it possible to observe these in US? We need to temper it to make it practical. We can't go to work with unkempt hair or without footwear. It is okay to cut hair, shave, wear footwear (there are some Ayyappas who announce in their work about the Vratam and grow a beard!). Outside of work, observe the austerities where possible - wear the black/saffron/ blue clothes at home, don't wear footwear at home (we don't do this even otherwise), don't shave during weekends, don't go to parties or others' houses (who are not observing Vratam- they could cook meat in their home), don't eat at restaurants (if you're not traveling), go to temple at least once a week, etc. The main requirement is for you to keep your mind pure by only thinking of God and work and nothing else.

What is sad though is that people have started going to Sabarimala by observing Vratam just for 10 days, which is not at all allowed. To carry the Irumudi and climb the sacred 18 steps one has to observe Vratam at least for 6 weeks.