41 Days Deeksha
The essence of human life is to attain salvation, therefore Ayyappa deeksha aimed to overcome the Arishdvargas such as Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Rudeness, discrimination that deter our practice of spirituality in the human life.
"Jeevanam Narajanma Durlabham" - Since man is the greatest of all living beings on this holy planet, instead to become the sage and liberate in his life, he is getting in to ashes. The 41 days penance is with the intention of "man should create his birth as a history and eternal" and believe that it is God's intention to attain salvation.
During the period of Penance, they observe strict celibacy, cold water bathing, laying on floor, exorcism, eating once daily, self cooking and other rules are followed. The Ayyappa penance is very helpful in keeping the man disciplnined physically and mentally and also to attain sensory restraint before proceding for Sabarimala piligrimae. Hence it is a healthy practice that removes all impurities from the body and mind.
Devotees observe the Ayyappa rituals from the month of Kartika to the end of Margashiraor Pushya. Devotees will be in a continuous contemplation of Swami thoughts and thereby quit worldly pleasures such as cessation of alcohol, meat and smoking, and adopting a Sattviclife . Their daily routine work starts with getting up early morning and taking a cold bath, wear black clothes, Tulsi garland, vibudhi , sandal on the forehead. Most of the times the routine is to spent time in puja, bhajan, and Gnana samuparjanaactivities. Everyone is addressed as "Swami". One should restrain from aggression and Stay away from abuses. These rules are followed scrupsly during the 41 days of penance.
The importance of Ayyappa Diksha is to lead a peaceful life irrespective of caste, creed and language, a way of life with rules and regulations, constantly meditating for realization of god. The uniqueness of Ayyappa Deeksha is that, it prepares the human instincts, senses, emotions, and attain Nithyananda in the most natural way by turning them towards God.