Colour code, Irumudi, the 41-day strict vratham, and more: All you need to know about the Sabarimala Pilgrimage and its significance

Colour code, Irumudi, the 41-day strict vratham, and more: All you need to know about the Sabarimala Pilgrimage and its significance

Millions of devotees embark on the Sabarimala pilgrimage every year. It is one among the most important religious things to do in India. Visiting Lord Ayyappa's shrine is more than just walking through the hills and woods. It is a serious spiritual practice that involves making changes, making promises, and using symbols. The garments pilgrims wear, the Irumudi they carry, and the 41-day vratham they follow are all extremely important parts of their spiritual journey.

Recently veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal was also seen climbing the stairs of Sabrimala. Let us tell you, what is the significance of those steps and all the rituals that are followed at Sabrimala.

One of the most obvious things about Sabarimala believers is what they wear. People who are on a vratham wear blue, black, or even saffron attire. Black means giving up your pride and the things that make you happy in this life. It tells other people to do this.

The blue colour takes in heat and stands for both strength and humility.

A lot of other folks wear blue also. It symbolises serenity, self-control, and emotional stability, which are all things that followers want to get during this time. People don't like saffron as much, but they do consider it as holy and a sign of purity and simplicity. The garments convey that you are honest, fair, and loyal, no matter what hue you choose.

Significance of Irumudi Kettu

Another important symbol of the Sabarimala pilgrimage is the Irumudi kettu. It is a holy bundle of two halves that pilgrims carry on their heads.

A devotee can't make the Irumudi until their vratham is over. There is a front pocket for gifts to Lord Ayyappa and a back pocket for the pilgrim's own things.

The munmudi is the front section. It has things like rice, jaggery, camphor, and other things that are reserved for the god. This part shows how the devotee begs, suffers, and gives up at Lord Ayyappa's feet.

What is Pinmudi

The back of the pinmudi has all the food, drinks, and clothes you need for the trip. This reminds the devotee of their duties on Earth and educates them that they need to achieve a balance between their spiritual and material obligations. If you don't have the Irumudi, you can't go up the 18 holy stairs in Sabarimala. This indicates how vital the Irumudi is to convey that you are ready and desire to be with Ayyappa.

The importance of 41 day Vratham

The 41-day vratham is the first step on the journey. Devotees must go through a time of discipline and cleansing before they may begin their journey. This step is aimed to get the body, mind, and spirit ready for the pilgrimage. People that follow the guidelines don't drink, smoke, have bad thoughts, or eat meat.

They wear the holy mala, don't wear shoes, don't enjoy comforts, sleep on modest beds, and pray and sing every day.

The vratham is like the life of a Naishtika Brahmachari, which is a form of celibacy that Lord Ayyappa himself lived. It's about being modest, keeping your ego in check, and letting go of it.

Many people who follow the vratham utilise it as a time to think about their lives and how they may make them better. It helps people find their inner strength and spiritual clarity by getting them away from the things that keep them from doing so. It is thought that after 41 days, the devotee is spiritually clean and ready for the holy climb.

The clothing, the Irumudi, and the vratham are the most essential parts of the Sabarimala pilgrimage and it is a tradition of 100s of years.

For millions of people who do it every year, the pilgrimage is more than just a collection of symbols and rituals. It's a personal journey of commitment, self-control, and mindfulness that goes well beyond the trees of Sabarimala.

In the past many celebs including Ram Charan, Jayam Ravi, Silambarasan and many more have followed the rituals. Ram Charan is often sighted in black clothes and walking bare feet to follow the 41 day Vratham.