Devotee should take a vrata (vow) to observe 41 days of Ayyappa Deeksha before visiting Sabarimala.

The person should maintain purity in body, mind and speech.

He should take bath twice a day, wear simple black/blue clothes, avoid luxury, and live like a brahmachari (celibate).

Avoid alcohol, non-veg, smoking, and worldly pleasures.

2. Day of Mālādhāraṇa

On an auspicious day (commonly on a Saturday, Sunday or on Mandala Puja days) visit a temple of Lord Ayyappa or any nearby Shiva/Vishnu temple.

Mala (garland) made of Tulasi or Rudraksha beads is purified and kept in front of the deity.

Devotee performs Ganapati Puja, Ayyappa Puja, Guru Puja before taking the mala.

A Gur Swami (senior devotee who has already visited Sabarimala many times) usually helps tie the mala around the devotee’s neck.

3. Mantra during Mālādhāraṇa

While wearing the mala, chant the following:

Kannada:

ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಶರಣಂ ಅಯ್ಯಪ್ಪ

English:

Swami Sharanam Ayyappa

And the Māladhāraṇa Mantra (already shared earlier):

Kannada:

ಮಣಿಕಂಠ ಮಾಮ ಪಾಹಿ ಶಬರಿಮಲ ವಾಸಿನಂ ।
ಶರಣಾಗತ ದೀನಾರ್ತ ಪರಿತ್ರಾಣ ಪರಾಯಣಂ ॥

English:

Manikantha maam paahi Shabarimala vaasinam |
Sharanaagata deenaartha paritraana paraayanam ||

4. After Wearing the Mala

From that moment, the devotee is called a Swami.

He should address and be addressed by others as “Swami”.

He follows strict vratham (penance) for 41 days:

Sleep on the floor (not on a bed).

Wake up early (Brahma Muhurta), take bath, do puja.

Daily chant: “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa”.

Visit temple every day if possible.

Practice humility, patience, truthfulness, and self-control.

5. Visarjana (Removal of Mala)

After pilgrimage, mala is removed by chanting the Visarjana Mantra (I already gave you in Kannada + English).

Mala should not be thrown; it should be kept respectfully near a deity or immersed in holy water