 lasts for 41 days. Duringmandalam, every morning Mahanyasam and Rudra abhishekam by chanting Shree Rudram 11 times at Sastha Sannidhi and abhishekam....){kind=link}
Noida: Sastha Preethi is the Hospitality shown to the devotees of Dharma Sastha who is the lord of the universe to please him and seek his blessings.
Lord Ayappa Swami temple, Sector 62 celebrates Sasta Preeti, Devotees will head to Sabrimala Kerala for the deity’s blessings. It is a festival devoted to the Hindu deity Ayyappan. Nowadays, Sastha Preethi is celebrated all over India under various names such as Ayyappan Villakku, Ayyappan Pattu, Sastha Pattu etc.
Sasthapreethi is the most auspicious festival among all the 18 agraharams
Ayyappa Pooja is conducted in every nook and corner of the country during
Mandalam to Kaliyuga varadhan Sri Dharma Sastha.
Sasthapreethi festival starts from the commencement of Mandalam mostly on 16th November every year.
Mandala Abhishekam, Sasth Pattu and Kanakku (Nivedyam) lasts for 41 days. During
mandalam, every morning Mahanyasam and Rudra abhishekam by chanting Shree Rudram 11 times at Sastha Sannidhi and abhishekam to Mahavishnu by chanting Purusha Suktha 16 times is performed throughout mandalam.
Daily at Vishnu Sannidhi, Upanishad Parayanam is performed. After Sayam Sandhya Deeparadhana, Yajur Veda Krama Parayanam and Vaara Japam are conducted.
Vaidhikas are served a sumptuous meal
After Deeparadhana and distribution of Prasadam concluding poojas and songs continue. Mantra Pushpam, Swarna Pushpam, Chaturveda Parayanam and Ashirvadam, 0ne stanza from Siva Ashtakam, Ashtapadi and keerthanam followed by Thevaramm, virutham, Pathyam, venpa,
Kalithurai, Nalanku, kummi, Choomikai, Onjal, Nadai chutthal Vazhthu follow.
On the first auspicious Saturday after Mandalam, Sastha Preethi is scheduled on a day on which Oil Bath can be taken (except on the following this: Sukla Shasti, Ekadashi, Amavasya, Pournami) and Thulasi Amman Pooja (BrindaLakshmi Pooja) is conducted on the previous day.
On the Sasthapreethi day Usha Pooja, Upanishad, parayanam, Prathyaksha Ganapathy Homam, Poornabhishekam to Sastha and Maha Vishnu and Maha Deeparadhana is performed.
Sadhya is served on Banana Leaves
The main dish is plain boiled rice, served along with other curries, Koottaan which includes curries like Parippu (Lentil curry), Sambar, Rasam, Pulisseri (pineapple dish ) and others like Laalan (Mushroom dish), Avial (mix of 13 vegetables), Thoran (dry vegetables with coconut, Olan, Pachadi (Kerala style cucumber raita), Khchadi, Koottukari (yellow curry of banana and coconut, Erissery (pumpkin), Mango pickle, Injipuli, Mezhukkupuratti, Naranga Achaar (lime pickle), as well as papadam, plantain chips, Shakara Upperi, banana, plain curd and buttermilk.
The traditional dessert called payasam served at the end of the meal is of many kinds and usually three or more are served.
Some of the varieties are Paal Ada Pradhaman, Parippu Pradhaman, Chakka Pradhaman, Gothampu Payasam, Paal Payasam etc. The different ‘Koottan’ are made with different vegetables and have different flavours. The variety of curries is to symbolize prosperity and well-being.
Ramdas, a Volunteer who lives in Shipra Suncity says, “I am associated for a long period with this temple. There is a large group of people who are joined with Ayappa Swami temple. There are many foundations associated with it. Mandal poojan receives many offerings from the residents from all over Noida, many people offer Sadhya for Sasta Preethi. Everyone should come here and take the blessings from Lord Ayappa.”
Shanti informs us, ” From November 17th, Mandla poojan was started. We put a mala on our neck and we have been on fast since then, after this, we will leave for Sabrimala Kerala. Anndanam is a favourite of Lord Ayappa. That day we offer 18,24 types of delicacies to the Lord Ayappa which is called Sasta preethi and on this day, all those devotees who are 41 days fasting, are invited to have Sadhya together in the Ayappa temple.
She also informed that the devotees fill the coconuts with ghee and then head towards the Kerala Sabrimala, all on their feet. There are three huge mountains, they will go on their feet and will wear black clothes.
she informs that the girls are under 10 and after 55 no one can enter this temple. She went when she was 7 years and now I will go at the age of 55.”