INTRODUCTION
Sri Ayyappa Guruswamy is the best human Swamy, and he is the one who gives the Ayyappa Deeksha to those, who aims to visit the Holy Sabarimala Shrine during the Sabarimala Season time. Guruswamy plays an important role in the Sabarimala journey for those who want to take the ayyappa swamy deeksha. He is the person who gives the ayyappa swamy deeksha by putting the Mala on the devotee neck, and he also clarifies the doubts of the person regarding the deeksha. Guruswamy is the one who guides the Devotee to seek the spiritual path.
Those who prepare themselves to visit this pious temple must observe fasting for a period of 41 days, which is also called as one Mandalam, and during that time, the devotees must wear the holy Thulasi Manimala which would be given by the Gurusami, and the devotees must not eat non vegetarian food, and onion and garlic also must be avoided in their food. They also must visit some temples in the mornings and in the evenings and they must take bath at least for two times in a day. Then after the completion of 41 days, they have to approach the Gurusamy, those who have visited Sabarimala for more than 18 times would be called as Gurusamy, and with his help, the Devotee must take the Irumudi, items consists of coconut filled with pure ghee and also some other puja items, and they must eagerly proceed for their travel to the sacred temple Sabarimala.
Guruswamy guides the devotee to move closer to Lord Ayyappa swamy, and he would explain the significance of visiting the Holy Sabarimala Shrine. The entire Deeksha deals with realising the supremacy of Lord Ayyappa.
“Tatwamasi” is the sacred word which would be written on sanctum of sabarimala temple as well in most of the Ayyappan Temples, which means that Lord Ayyappan is equivalent to Lord Shiva, and hence during ancient times, devotees used to fondly call him as Ayyapishwar! The Guruswamy would be mostly an elderly person who would have undergone pilgrimage to the holy sabarimala Temple for several years, and he would have had the darshan of makara jyothi. Guruswamy is the person who would tie our irumudi, and he would help us to get the excellent blessings of Lord ayyappa. Without Guruswamy, one cannot take ayyappa deeksha, and also he couldn’t perform sabari yatra.
Ayyappa Guruswamy is also considered as a form of Lord Ayyappa, since his soul would be filled with full of “AYYAPPA BHAKTI”, and hence devotees who meet him must have to observe strict obedience and they must also pay proper respects to him. Guruswamy also advice the devotees to observe cleanliness and maintain neatness during the time of Yatra, since still now some Ayyappa devotees might smoke and drink while proceeding to the Sabarimala. Doing so would cause big problems to the devotees, and hence such unwanted things must be strictly prohibited.
During ancient times, devotees would have to walk for a long distance to reach the Sabarimala Shrine. But at present, they need not walk such a long distance. However, they have to walk in barefoot at least for a few kilometres, but, once if they chant “SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA SARANAM”, then they wouldn’t face any difficulty in walking!
“AYYAPPA PONAMBALA VASA SARANAM, SARANAM”
Sent By
R.Harishankar
