Sabarimala 41-day vratham: how to wear the mala and what to follow
Quick answer: The Sabarimala vratham (mandala vratham) is a 41-day vow kept before visiting Lord Ayyappa's temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. It begins when a guruswamy puts a mala on the devotee, and it is followed by a simple, disciplined life: vegetarian food, no alcohol or tobacco, celibacy, black or blue clothes, prayer twice a day and gentle speech. The mala is removed only after the pilgrimage is complete and the devotee is back home.
At a glance
- Duration
- 41 days (one mandala)
- Mala
- Rudraksha or tulsi beads with an Ayyappa locket
- Clothes
- Black, blue or saffron (black is most common)
- Chant
- Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa
- Season
- Mandala to Makaravilakku, roughly mid-November to mid-January
When to start
Most devotees begin on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid-November), when the Mandala season starts, or at least 41 days before their planned visit. Choose the day with your guruswamy. First-time pilgrims (Kanni Swamis) are expected to complete the full 41 days.
How to wear the mala (mala dharan)
- Bathe in the morning and wear clean black or blue clothes.
- Go with your guruswamy to a temple (an Ayyappa temple if possible) or to your home shrine.
- Offer the mala to Lord Ayyappa with a lamp and flowers; the guruswamy blesses it.
- While you pray, the guruswamy, a temple priest or, in many families, your mother puts the mala on you.
- Touch the guruswamy's feet for blessings. From now on you are called 'Swami', and you call other devotees 'Swami' too.
Daily routine during the vratham
- Bathe twice a day, morning and evening, before prayer.
- Light a lamp morning and evening and chant 'Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa'; many devotees also recite Ayyappa's 108 Sharanam names.
- Visit a temple when you can and join group bhajans.
- Keep the mala on at all times, including while sleeping.
Do
- Eat simple vegetarian (sattvic) food, home-cooked if possible.
- Keep celibacy (brahmacharya) for all 41 days.
- Speak gently, stay calm and avoid arguments.
- See Ayyappa in every person and call them 'Swami'.
- Sleep on a mat or the floor if you can.
- Help others and give food (annadanam) if you can.
Don't
- No meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, tobacco or any other intoxicant.
- Many devotees also avoid onion and garlic.
- Many devotees do not shave, cut their hair or cut their nails.
- Avoid footwear where you can (a common custom).
- Stay away from anger, lies, abusive words and gossip.
- Avoid functions in a home where there has been a birth or a death. If this happens in your own family, ask your guruswamy.
What is the irumudi kettu
The irumudi is a two-part cloth bundle that pilgrims carry on their heads. The front part holds offerings for Lord Ayyappa, including a coconut filled with ghee (neyy-thenga); the back part holds supplies for the journey. The guruswamy packs it in a short ceremony called kettunira. By tradition, only pilgrims carrying the irumudi climb the 18 holy steps (Pathinettam Padi).
When and how to remove the mala
After returning home from the pilgrimage, bathe, light a lamp or break a coconut before Lord Ayyappa as your family does, and then remove the mala at your home shrine or a temple. Many devotees do this with their guruswamy present. Keep the mala safely for next year or offer it at the temple.
Customs differ between families and guruswamys; follow your guruswamy. Darshan has to be booked through the official Sabarimala virtual queue. Check sabarimalaonline.org and the Travancore Devaswom Board for current dates and rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the Sabarimala vratham?
Traditionally 41 days, called the mandala vratham. Many devotees begin on the first day of the month of Vrischikam (mid-November).
Can I put the mala on myself?
The custom is for a guruswamy or temple priest to put it on. Where that isn't possible, many devotees have their mother or an elder put it on at the home shrine while praying to Ayyappa.
What is a Kanni Swami?
A devotee going to Sabarimala for the first time. A Kanni Swami is expected to complete the full 41-day vratham.
Which mantra is chanted during the vratham?
The most common chant is 'Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa'. Many devotees also recite Ayyappa's 108 Sharanam names morning and evening.
Can I eat onion and garlic during the vratham?
Many devotees avoid them as part of a sattvic diet. Everyone keeping the vratham avoids meat, fish, eggs and alcohol.
When is the mala removed?
Only after the pilgrimage is complete and you are back home, with prayers at your home shrine or a temple.