Mandala puja: A Holy Festival of Kerela

Mandala Puja is a vital custom performed at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. It is starts from the first day of the 'Vrishchikam' month till the eleventh or twelfth day of the 'Dhanu' Masam according to the customary Malayalam schedule. The day of Mandala Puja marks the finish of the 41 days austerity that is followed by the devotees or enthusiasts of Lord Ayyappa. The vrat starts 41 preceding the observance of Mandala Puja, that is, the principal day of the Malayalam month of 'Vrishchikam'. Mandala Puja alongside 'Makar Vilakku' are the two noteworthy occasions held at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple that draws lovers from all over Kerala and neighbouring states. Amid this time the temples stays open on many days for the worshipers and devotees. As a custom, devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple amid the Mandala Puja additionally visit the 'Guruvayur Temple'. Also the extraordinary 'Abhishekam' function is organized in the 'Guruvayur Temple'

Mandala Puja Regulations The people performing the Mandala Puja need to pursue a lot of rules, discipline, and schedules, over the span of 41 days. The Mandala Puja, for the most part, starts with the competitor getting Diksha from a well-learned Guru who is a wise and devout individual learned in the Vedas and Shastras and focused on an austere life all through. Coming up next are the rules and regulations to be followed during Mandala Puja. The worshiper must clean up during early morning, wear a special and clean kind of dress and Tulsi Mala with the pendant of the divinity that the fan wishes to appease. For the most part, this Mala is honored by the Guru and given to the devotee on the beginning of the Mandala Puja.

After the promise is taken to do Mandala Puja, the devotee does puja at home two times every day in morning and evening and furthermore visits the temple of his most loved divinity. After the finish of the Mandala Puja, the devotees make a journey to the most loved god's temple. Non-vegan food, any sort of indulgence in sensual pleasure, overeating, entertainments, spicy food, bad talks, immoral acts, bad thoughts, bad company, and inappropriate behavior are all prohibited during the Mandala Puja period.

Significance of Mandala Puja The importance of Mandala Puja is expressed in the Puranas. Its a reference in these religious sacred texts that an individual's destiny can be decidedly changed just by performing Mandala Puja. This puja can be performed by any individual yet it must be done once amid his/her lifetime. Mandala Puja is an extremely powerful puja that awards satisfaction to your desires and wishes whenever finished with full commitment and devotion. It is seen that an individual needs subsequent wishes which are fulfilled after the completion of Mandala Puja. The festivals of Mandala Puja suggests the 41 days of austerities. The severity of the vratham which takes place during Mandala Puja purifies the spirit. The austerity can be seen by many devotees, both women and men alike. Females matured between 1-9 years and those over 50 are permitted to do the Mandala Puja vratham and they are known as 'Malikapuram'. Askganesha wishes you and your family a very happy Mandala Puja.