
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa - Departing for Yatra and Returning Home
(Follow these steps as a guideline and adjust based on your family tradition.)
Before Leaving Home
Prepare Coconuts and Irumudi Bag: Place two coconuts and the Irumudi bag (if available) in your pooja area the day before.
Kolam Setup (if married): Ask your spouse (maaligapuram) to make a kolam near the entrance on the morning of departure. Singles can skip this.
Lighting the Diya: After loading your belongings in the car, have your maaligapuram place the pooja lamp in the center of the kolam. Singles may carry it themselves and place it in the pooja room.
Pooja Ritual: Offer namaskaram in the pooja room, take one coconut and your Irumudi bag, and chant "Swamiye Ayyappo." Circle the diya three times, then leave.
RE-ENTERING THE HOUSE IS NOT PERMITTED.
Breaking Coconut: At the entrance, break a coconut for blessings. Singles can lock the door without re-entering.
Lamp Return: Have your maaligapuram carefully return the diya to the pooja room, do namaskaram, and join you.
Returning Home After Yatra
Direct Return: Go straight home after completing the yatra and collecting prasad.
Homecoming Ritual (if married):
Wait outside as your maaligapuram enters, lights the diya, and brings sandal powder, kumkum, water for washing, and camphor aarthi.
With your Irumudi bag on your head, have her wash your feet, apply sandal and kumkum(Padha Pooja), and perform aarthi.
Pray to Ayyappa and KaruppuSwamy for protection, break the second coconut, and enter the house.
House Entry:
Circle the diya three times, place the Irumudi with prasad in the pooja room, and do namaskaram.
After a shower, perform pooja, and distribute prasad to family members.
Mala Removal: Remove your mala with assistance from a family member, Guruswamy, or temple priest (following the specified order). Place the mala in a bowl of viboothi and, after a few days, store it near Ayyappa’s photo.
For Singles and Those Without Maaligapuram
Homecoming: Take the second coconut and Irumudi bag on your head, chant "Swamiye Ayyappo" as you enter the house.
Rituals:
Place the Irumudi with prasad in the pooja room, light the diya, and show camphor aarthi and haldi/kumkum aarthi.
Pour haldi/kumkum at the end of your driveway, and place broken coconut pieces by a tree.
Mala Removal: Follow the same mala removal steps as above.
For questions or further guidance, feel free to ask Guruswamy or reach out via Contact US form
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
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