After seeing the troubles caused by Lord Saturn to his devotees he suggested for Ayyappa deeksha for 41 days as remedy for all the troubles which are caused by Lord Saturn

There is a spiritual relation existed between Lord Shani(Saturn) and Lord Ayyappa (Manikanda swamy).After seeing the troubles caused by Lord Saturn to his devotees he suggested for Ayyappa deeksha for 41 days as remedy for all the troubles which are caused by Lord Saturn. These 41 days devotees wear balck cloth which is the colour of Saturn and reaches Lord Ayyappa temple as to diminish the negative effects of Lord Saturn.

According to Astrology Saturn mainly refers to rank, status, proffession,longevity, position, honour from state, ruling, authority, fathers patronage , means of livelihood as being the main karaka(significator) of 10th house or Karma stana, field of action, trade, commerce, general success in life, service towards society etc

The mandala vritham prepares a devotee both physically and mentally for the journey. To that effect you're required to observe the following during vritham.The ultimate purpose of Ayyappa Vratham is self-transformation. The process helps the Sadhaks -seekers of the Divine - to realize that we are part of the divinity. During this Vratham period, we attain basic purity of body, mind and spirit which is necessary for any devotional effort. Before starting the Vratham, we take permission from parents, seek the guidance of a Guruswami, and ask his permission and take permission from our Kuladeivam, family deity(Kula devatha) for blessings and protection. Ayyappa Vratham is initiated with the invocation of God through adornment of the Thulasi mala. Mudramala reminds the devotee that he is God himself and to others it indicates that the devotee is in Vratham. The Mudra mala is removed when the Vratham is over after 41 days and after the devotee has the dharshan of Lord Ayyappa climbing 18 steps with the irumudikettu on his head. In this 41 days the devotee lives a life of no desire for dressing up.They do not cut hair, shave facial hair nor cut nails during the 41 days. The effort is made towards keeping oneself clean. Hence, they take bath twice a day both in the morning and in the evening before the prayers during which the devotees chant 108 namas or sharanams. In this Vritha the devotee totally surrenders himself to Lord Ayyappa.