Guruthi

Guruthi has been an integral part of the rituals at the Sabarimala temple since ancient times. This sacred ceremony is conducted in the open space in front of the Manimandapam, located behind the Malikappuram shrine. On the fifth day of the Makaravilakku festival, Lord Ayyappa ascends to Sharamkuthi, marking the last day of the grand procession. After the athazha pooja, the procession to Sharamkuthi commences from the Manimandapam. Upon its silent return to the palace, accompanied by the demons and mountain gods, the rituals continue.

The following day, Guruthi is performed at Malikappuram. After the athazha pooja, the ritual concludes with the recitation of Harivarasanam. Traditionally, it is believed that Guruthi is associated with the mountain gods. However, the Guruthi at Malikappuram is performed for Bhadrakali.  This ritual, which includes Kalamezhuthu (designing of tree-dimensional figures of deities on the floor with colour powders) and the accompanying song, is traditionally performed by the Kuruppans of the Ranni Kunnakad family.

The ceremony begins with a pooja, incorporating the panchabhuta (five elements) concept with five torches, where the central torch is used to invoke the deity's presence. After offering Nivedya (sacred food), the Guruthi Tarpanam (offering of sacred water) is performed.

The royal representative of Pandalam, residing in the Raja Mandapam adjacent to the Manimandapam, stays at Sannidhanam during the day to oversee the Guruthi. Once the ritual is completed, everyone leaves the Malikappuram, and no one is allowed outside the mansion at night. In the presence of the Pandalam royal representative and a few relatives, secret poojas are performed by the Kunnakad priests at the Manimandapam and the Guruthi floor.

After these rituals, the workers descend from Malikappuram. The representative from Pandalam returns to the Sannidhanam. By 5 in the morning, the temple streets are opened, and normal routine is restored, allowing Ayyappan to enter a state of meditation.