lrumudi

lrumudi is the only travelling kit which a pilgrim carries on his head during the pilgrimage. Only those who observe fasting for 41 days are allowed to carry it. Without the Irumudi one is not treated to be completed deeksha.

This bag is in two compartments

- the Munmudi (the front part) and
- the Pinmudi (the back part) &
the opening at centre.

The front portion is reserved for keeping all the puja articles and offerings to the deity
while the rear part is meant to hold the pilgrims personal requirements for the journey.

Front portion contains Mudra bags, consisting of 2 - 3 in numbers - one for the Ghee Coconut (Coconut filled with ghee, select a medium size coconut. Clean and polish the outer shell using a polishing paper. With a pointed instrument, open one eye of the coconut and empty the coconut water. Close it with a cork of correct size.) and the other two for the remaining offerings. Items for offering at the Sannidhi that is kept in the front compartment of the Irumudi are as under:

1. Coconut filled with ghee for Abhishekam (bathing the idol of the Lord, which is to be offered to Hundi)

2. Coconuts - 2 to 4 nos

3. Beetel leaves, Beetel Nut, coins for offering

4. Jaggery (Bellam), Cashew, Raisins, Dry ginger, Poha (thin & thick variety), Cardamoms, Dates, Honey, Avil ( beaten rice), Kadhi Chakkar , etc which are used in preparing Laddu and other prasadam in the temple for Neivedyam / offering.

5. Dried turmeric tubers, Turmeric powder, Blouse piece, Kumkum, Vibhooti, Sandal paste, Sambarani, Camphor, Agarbathi (Incense stick), Rosewater, Lemon, Rice and Dal for offering.

Items for use of the pilgrim from the day of commencement of the journey after till the return is kept in the back compartment or the Pin Mudi, which are as under :

Some snacks which one may require now and then during the trip and other raw materials for food items to be prepared during the journey. And pulses and rice needed for cooking can be included in Pin mudi.

Guru Swamy

The role of the Guru is significant in the Deeksha.

The Guru swamy is usually an elderly person who has undertaken pilgrimage to Tirumala in Govinda Mala Deeksha not less than seven consecutive years in the traditional route and had darshan of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy. The devotees treat the Guru swamy as Lord Venkateshwara Swamy himself. It is important that pilgrims gain knowledge from the Guru on all the aspect of the Pilgrimage.

One should serve the Guru physically, mentally and verbally.

The pilgrims should give the due respect and reverence the Guru deserves. All instructions of the Guru should be carried out without fail. The Guru will enlighten the Shisyas the austerities to be followed. He will teach them the slokas and way to perform pooja and bhajans.

He shall prepare them for the pilgrimage mentally and physically. He will lead the pilgrims safely and comfortably to Tirumala.

Best Practices - A Must Know

The life of the man can be improved and re-energized by performing Tapas or austerity. Tapas may be performed in body, speech and mind as per 'Gita'. When man applies himself to these three components, he changes for the better.

Given below are the austerities and regulations that has to be strictly followed for taking pilgrimage in Govinda Maala Deeksha / Vratam to Tirumala.

The vratham has to be undertaken after getting permission from parents. Then one has to get the permission of the the Guru. After this the date is fixed to commence the vratham. The previous day before the said date one has to offer prayers to ones family deity and make a holy knot with yellow cloth with some currency units within and present it to the family deity, thereby taking Her / His permission to commence the vratham.

Previous day before starting the vratham, the devotee will cleanly shave, clip his nails, trim his hair and make himself physically clean. The holy mala / garland (tulsi / chandanam ) should be cleaned and smeared with sandal paste and placed before the portrait of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy. The devotee should also buy a new pair of coloured (yellow, saffron) dhoti and towel / shawl.

On the day of starting the vratham the devotee shall wake up early, bath and offer prayers to family deity, Navagrahas and perform pooja to the holy mala. Then he shall go to temple with his Guru. The mala has to be received from the Guru in midst of vedic chanting. After wearing the mala the devotee becomes Lord Venkateswara Swamy himself and starts the demands of pious life.

The devotee shall withdraw from all social activities and spend his time by taking part in praying, poojas, bajans, visiting temples, cleaning temples, feeding the poor, helping the poor / sick and attending religious discourses.

He shall take only satvic foods and refrain 100% from taking meat, intoxicating drinks / drugs, chewing betel leaves and from smoking.

He shall bathe twice, if possible thrice, daily and perform pooja by at least chanting 108 Govinda Naamalu. He shall continuously chant " Om Namo Venkatesaya " in mind, both at work and at home.

He must wear Tirunamam, Namam every time in deeksha.

He shall not hurt anybody verbally or physically.

He shall treat all co-devotees as Lord Venkateswara Swamy himself and serve them in all the ways.

He shall not feel proud of the respect and privileges he gets when he is wearing the holy mala. When others prostrate themselves on his feet he shall not feel proud but dedicate the same to Lord Venkateshwara Swamy and say aloud 'Lord Save everybody for their faith in you'.

He shall not cause inconvenience to his family members on account on observing the vratham.

As he starts his vratham every year, he shall think that he is doing the same for first time and follow all the rules of the vratham strictly.

He shall strictly follow brahmacharya (continence), refrain from sex, thinking of sex, develop passion against all women including his wife, and treat all women with motherly feeling.

He shall not apply oil to his hair and shall not take bath with oil smeared over his body.

He shall not attend any social function like birthdays, engagement, and wedding, etc. and shall feast in anyone's home who have not undertaken the vratham.

He shall avoid being in the proximity of dead body and shall not eat anything till he bathes if he accidentally sees one.

He shall always carry a tulsi leaf with him to prevent him from evil feeling and from Thitlu.

He shall not sleep on bed but on floor, he shall not use pillow but wooden block, he shall not use footwear but walk with bear feet.

He shall totally surrender himself to Lord Venkateshwara Swamy.

One should remember that the grace and power of Tirumala increases and reflects back by observing the above rules strictly.

Women Devotees

An age old discipline that is still followed in vartham is the ban on the entry of young women where women aged between 10 and 50 cannot take up deeksha.

One of the main reasons cited to justify this traditional stand is the duration of period of penance. Tradition insists on 41-day severe penance before undertaking the pilgrimage. The fact that it is womanly impossible to stick on to a strict routine laid down against a conservative Hindu background, especially the stigma attached to menstruation, is cited as one reason for restricting women's entry. Similarly, kms long trek from Tirupati to Tirumala through hazardous forest path is physically a demanding task. However, this argument will not hold good in today's world abundant with examples of Amazonian talents.

The Austerities (Vratham / Deeksha)

The Austerities (Vratham) starts on the first day of the mandalam period ( Preferably Ekadasi ) for those devotees who intend to worship Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy on Mandala Pooja Day ( after 41 days around ) or Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mukkoti Ekadasi (around). "Mukkoti Ekadasi / Vaikunta Ekadasi" day is the most auspicious day at Tirumala and all the mahor hindu temples. 41 days minimum deeksha / vratham is necessary before the day of Pilgrimage to Tirumala in Govinda Mala as per the conditions of the pilgrimage.

Vratham / Deeksha

The vratham starts from the day of wearing of "Thulasi Mala" (garland) and "Rudraksha Mala" or "Chandanam Mala" with the locket of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy.

The mala / maala is to be accepted from a temple Priest serving lord venkateswara swamy or Guru Swami (The devotee who has visited the Tirumala Temple several times or a minimum of seven times continuously and who can guide the other devotees in all matters relating to Tirumala pilgrimage) after the mala / maala is duly sanctified in a temple / or pooja room.

A "Dakshina" may be given to the priest / Guru Swami concerned. After wearing the "Mala" the devotee is called as "Govinda" or "Swami / Swamy" ( in the name of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy) till the completion of his pilgrimage and removal of Mala thereafter.

The eligible female devotees are aged between 1 and 9 and above 50 years.

During the period of Vratham utmost care should be taken by each devotee to keep their mind and body clean, pure and balanced. The devotee is expected to live like "sadhu", "Yogi" and his action, word, thought should not under any circumstances hurt the feelings of the others.

The devotee should avoid all worldly pleasure and avoid taking alcohol, tobacco and non-vegetarian food. They are also not expected to cut hair, shave and nails. Yellow dhoti and shirt is the proper dress for the vratham. Wearing Chappal, Shoes are not allowed as per traditional rule of the Vratham.

Absolute Bramacharya during the period is essential without which no devotee should go to Tirumala Temple in vratham. The devotee is expected to pray in the morning and evening after taking bath. Before each meal devotee should pray and take the meal as "Prasadam" of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy.

Without proper Deeksha / Vratham Pilgrimage to Tirumala is not at all advisable for Govinda Swamy / Swami. The mental satisfaction of the pilgrimage can be attained only through the proper Vratham. May the Lord Venkateshwara Swamy help everybody to follow the rule of traditional Vrutham for the attainment of salvation of the soul.

" OM NAMO VENKATESAYA " - ఓం నమో వేంకటేశాయ - ॐ नमो वेंकतेशाया