The purpose of the Vratam is to cleanse the body and mind of the devotee and to prepare a devotee both physically and mentally for the journey.

Good morning. Have a blessed day.

Sabarimala pilgrimage is carried of with vow, or resolution. In that falls the Cleansing and Conditioning of mind and body.

The purpose of the Vratam is to cleanse the body and mind of the devotee and to prepare a devotee both physically and mentally for the journey.

The most famous lord of celibacy, 'brahmacharya'.

The most important thing to be observed is Celibacy and chanting of Saranams. Celibacy is absolutely what our legend Late. APG Abdul Kalam has said in his writings, that, "its a practice of mind more than body". As per studies conducted, Sperms are not generated from genitals, its source is brain for all humans and animals . Thus, the strength of sankalapa, or sankalpa shakthi, is the ultimate power, which can move the enzymes and hormones and human blood and even motivate the life and fate itself. Notice the people who follow celibacy in your locality, country or any part of the world, you can see, a special aura, charisma and personality power in them. But, if you notice their specialty, its for surely to confirm that, its their mind-practice which has shaped and not body alone. Of course, you have to follow strict vegetarian food for the same. Some people avoid onion and garlic because they are considered to be aphrodisiacs, otherwise all other vegetarian food is allowed.

In those days, there was no short cut. One had either to trek the Peru Vazhi (periya paadhai – 40 KM) or the Pullumedu route, which was originally longer and tougher than the present day route. People used to return all the way through the Peruvazhi, after having Dharshan. In the present day, devotees have the option of trekking the Peru Vazhi or trekking the 7KM journey from Pampa to Sannidhaanam. In either case, you will be trekking through extremely steep mountains and wading through large crowds.

🔯The Vratam is intended and here are some things that you can observe and the reasons for the same:

◾Take bath in cold/ lukewarm water twice a day - you don't get hot water in the forest.
◾Pray/ meditate to Lord soon after bath (twice a day) - prepares you for the mental journey.
◾Be patient in every activity you do from driving to talking to spouse/kids/coworkers - you need lot of patience to undergo a 60kms trek not knowing what's in store
◾Don’t consume alcohol, tobacco, etc. - these are detrimental to the physical strength required (imagine you won't be doing these if you were training for marathon either)
◾Substitute one meal with only fruits (for breakfast / dinner), eat rice only one time a day (lunch/ dinner), eat chapatti (or something else) to round out the meals - this prepares you for the little food you get during the trek.
◾Not wearing footwear - you need to walk barefoot over the rocks during your trek through the Lord’s Poongaavanam (forest)
Sleep on the floor without pillow - you don't get beds in the forest.