Day of Irumudi Pooja & Kettu Nira

Irumudi Day and Kettu Nira Process​​

 

List of Items to Bring for Ketu Nira:

• Ghee (1 lb per coconut) - Homemade only
  Refer to Ghee Preparation Instructions

• Adult Irumudi Bag: 1 large + 1 small. Ensure your bags are clean from the last yatra. If you don't have them, request during Irumudi registration.

• Pilla Kattu Irumudi Bag (for children): Available at the registration desk if not available.

• Kanikkai: $1.25 tied in a yellow cloth. Gurudhakshina and preist Dhakshina is included in the Irumudi Charges.

• Towel or Blanket: For carrying the Irumudi on your head.

• Rice (optional): A small Ziploc for contributing rice to the Pin Mudi.

• Cash: Exact amount specified in the registration.

Overnight Stay Batch:

Please bring the following:

• Clothes: Dhoti, shirt, towels, undergarments.

• Toiletries: Soap, comb, bedding (used during Vratham).

Registration:

• Check in at the registration desk.

• Temple Fees: Ghee Abhishekam fees can be paid via credit card at this link.

• Registration Fees(Approx for Adult Kattu): To be paid in cash ($65 per adult, $15 per child, $25 for Annadhanam).

• If you would like to contribute more to the Annadhanam Donation, please inform the registration team at check-in.

• If you or your child is performing Irumudi for the third time (Manikandan Swami), please inform the registration desk and make a $4 payment to receive the bell. 

• Ensure exact cash is available.

Tags and Wristbands:

• You will receive tags for your Irumudi bag, Mudra coconut bag, and sheet.

• Pilla Kattu will receive two tags for the Mudra coconut bag and sheet.

Irumudi Pooja:

• Complete the Sankalpam form with details of your family gothram and nakshathram.
  Sankalpam Form

• The pooja will begin with Ashtothram for Ganesha, Muruga, Amman, and Ayyappan.

• Mala Dharana: For Swamis who have requested it.

Ketu Nira (Irumudi Preparation):

• Seek blessings from parents, spouse, and deities before starting.

• Swamis will be assigned to stations, and the order will be displayed on a projector or announced.

Required Items for Ketu Nira:

• Tagged Irumudi Bags and Sheet for carrying the Irumudi.

• Melted Ghee (ask volunteers for assistance if needed).

• Ketu Nira items (provided by volunteers):

  • Mudra Coconut: Polished with one eye corked.

  • Maligaipurathamman Bag: Contains prasadam items, blouse, turmeric, kumkum, etc.

  • KaniPon: A quarter wrapped in a betel leaf.

  • Rice will be provide at the stations

  • One Coconut.

Mudra/Ghee Coconut (Nei Thengai):

• Place the Mudra Coconut above rice and remove the cork.

• Pour ghee carefully while chanting "Nei Abhishega Priyanae – Saranam Ayyappa."

• Cork and seal the coconut using wax, then apply vibhuti, sandal, and kumkum.

• Place the coconut inside the small bag with rice and Kanikkai.

For Pilla Kattu, the procedure ends here, and the Irumudi will be placed on the child.

Mun Mudi (Front of Irumudi):

• Fill the Mun Mudi with rice while chanting "Annadhana Prabhuvae – Saranam Ayyappa."

• Place offerings (money, prasadam) and the Mudra Coconut inside the Mun Mudi.

Pin Mudi (Back of Irumudi):

• Family members can participate by adding rice to the Pin Mudi.

• The Guruswami will tie the Irumudi Bag to complete the process.

Receiving the Irumudi:

• Fold the blanket and place it over the head.

• Perform a full Namaskaram facing Lord Ayyappa.

• Place Dakshina at the feet of the Swami who performed the Ketu Nira.

• The Irumudi will be placed on your head while chanting "Saranam Ayyappa."

• Perform three pradakshinams before starting the yatra.

Leftover Ghee:

• Leave any leftover ghee at the Ganapathy Homam area.

Yatra and 18 Padi Yetram:

• Swamis will proceed on a yatra around the temple, visiting all Sannidhanams.

• Padi Yetram: Form two lines while climbing the 18 steps and hold the side rail for safety.

• After the steps, take the Irumudi to the allotted Swami for the Nei Abhishekam.

Ghee Prasadam Collection and Cleanup:

• After the pooja, collect Ghee Prasadam at the Sannidhi or designated location.

• Cleanup is a collective responsibility of all Swamis who participated in the Irumudi on that day.

• Assist in cleaning the Irumudi area and prepare items for storage.

Irumudi Irakkam, Nei Abhishekam, & Laksharchana (for Overnight Irumudi Poojas)

The Irumudi Kettu will be opened to prepare for the morning Abhishekam. Morning pooja starts at 6:00 AM. Swamis should take a shower and assemble at the temple by 6:00 AM, followed by Ganapathy Homam at 7:30 AM.

Breakfast will be served at 8:15 AM. Please RSVP for the headcount. Annadhanam will be arranged for Swamis and their family members.

Bhajans & Procession
Participate in bhajans and share microphones to allow everyone to sing. Swami Purapadu and Ayyappa Procession will follow, with volunteers needed for the Aarti at Ayyappa Sannidhanam.

Ayyappa Lunch Annadhanam & Prasadam
Lunch Annadhanam will be provided, followed by Prasadam distribution at 3:00 PM. Swamis completing their Vratham can have their mala removed by the Guruswamy.

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Swamy Saranam!