Ayyappa Utsav Satram – The Grand Celebration at SSVT

    According to Sanathana Dharma precepts and Kerala Tantric tenets, we must perform a series of special pujas and rituals every 10 to 15 years after the Pratistapanam. This is essential to compensate for any decrease in the Vigraha chaithanyam (the divine aura). Since the Ayyappa Vigraham at SSVT was installed in 1995, the Temple authorities decided that this is an ideal time to perform re-sanctification by celebrating the Ayyappa Utsav Satram. The name Utsav Satram signifies a prolonged religious celebration, nine days in this instance. The entire event was performed under the leadership of Brahmasri Kallampally Easwaran Nampoothiri (Melsanthi of Ayyappa shrine, and former Melsanthi of Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Kerala).

    The rituals included Dhwajadi (rais  -  The rituals included Dhwajadi (raising and lowering of the flag to inform the public of a festival), Ankuradi (the process of growing various seeds into plants, focusing on the process of life) and Patahadi (the use of drums and other sounds to proclaim the festival to the public). Many of the rituals were performed in such a way that there will be maximum participation of devotees. This was especially true for Manjal Neerattam (abhishekam of the Ayyappa Vigraham with ritually mixed turmeric and milk), Dampathy Puja and Mangalya Raksha Puja.

    Manjal Neerattam, a well planned, unique festival exclusively for married women, was performed on Saturday October 23. More than 300 women had pre-registered for this event and others were registered in the morning. Participants were seated in the Vasantha Mandapam, each with a tray containing the materials for puja. As mantras were chanted Manjal was mixed with milk. After the completion of the puja which included the chanting of Ayyappa Ashtothatara Sathanamavali, women carrying the mixture in a kalasham formed a line. Chanting “Swamiye, Ayyappo”, they climbed the 18 sacred steps in front of the Ayyappa shrine and handed over the milk to the priest. The contents of each kalasaham were poured as abhishekam to Lord Ayyappa. The rituals concluded with a devotional bahajana. Homam, Vastu Bali, Vastu Punyaham etc. were    Various kriyas, pujas and homams like Dravya Kalasa Pujas, Homa Kriya, Rakshogna Homam, Vastu Bali, Vastu Punyaham etc. were performed through out the week. The festivities concluded on Sunday, October 31 with sarpabali and Annadanam. To make the festive atmosphere complete, the events of the concluding weekend was accompanied Chenda melam and nadaswaram!