Descending the Holy 18 steps
- Irumudi is repacked with ‘prasaadam’ and get ready to descend.
- Start before Ayyappa Sannithi and walk backwards
- Descend the steps backwards, assist anyone who is in front of you and do not rush
- Break a coconut at the foot of the steps.
Removing the maalai (Viratha Poorthi, finish of viratham)
- Go home, make a paayasam with the rice in the Irumudi, submit the prasaadam to Swamy, and do an aarathi to Swami. Then,
Take bath, then remove maalai in one of the following ways:
- remove maalai by a Guruswamy
- remove maalai by parents, nearby temples, or elderly people nearby.
- Soak maalai in milk for few minutes, wash and keep in safe place for next year.
- Wash the Irumudi and clothes, keep them ready for next yaathirai.
See you all this mandalam and year after year !!!!!
May Swami bless you, family, and all at all times !!!!!
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa !!!!!
