Actor Vijay Deverakonda and his wife Rashmika Mandanna hosted a grand reception in Hyderabad on March 4, 2026. In which all the celebrities of the film world participated. But in this grand welcome, Ram Charan stole all the limelight.

In fact, he was seen barefoot and wearing black clothes at the venue, which became a topic of discussion on social media. However, the real reason behind this is related to spirituality.

Why is it considered inauspicious for the younger brother to marry before the elder brother? Shri Rajendra Das Maharaj told the religious secret!

The actor was barefoot at the event

Ram Charan and his wife Upasana attended the reception along with Kamineni Konidela. The actor wore a stunning black kurta. His stylish look was liked a lot by his fans, but the thing to note here is that he was barefoot during the entire program.

At first glance, his fans thought that this could be his new lifestyle, but it is actually related to the religious fast he is taking.

spiritual reason for being barefoot

Actually, Ram Charan is currently following Ayyappa Diksha, a sacred spiritual vow taken by devotees of Lord Ayyappa before visiting the famous Sabarimala temple. This spiritual vow is considered a period of discipline.

Devotees have to follow strict discipline and live a simple life. Ayyappa Deeksha generally lasts for 41 to 48 days.

Rules to be followed during Ayyappa Deeksha

During Ayyappa Diksha, devotees wear simple clothes, usually black, blue or saffron colored clothes, many devotees also choose to walk barefoot as a symbol of humility and devotion. One has to eat vegetarian food and stay away from alcohol and luxurious lifestyle.

It is also important to do daily sadhana and meditation in Ayyappa initiation. Devotees observe celibacy during this period and generally do not cut their hair or beard. The purpose of these rules is to live a disciplined life and focus on spiritual development.

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Mandala Puja 2025: Mandala Puja is a very sacred and religious festival in South India, especially celebrated at the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Mandala Puja is dedicated to Lord Ayyapa, which marks the end of the 41 day long period of chanting, penance and meditation.

In the Malayalam calendar, this fast starts from the first day of Scorpio month and ends on the 11th or 12th day of Sagittarius month and Mandala Puja is organized. Both Mandala Puja and Vilakku are very famous and grand religious events in Sabarimala temple, in which lakhs of devotees come to participate.

Let us know about when and on which day, puja auspicious time, puja method, rules and religious significance of Mandala Puja 2025.

When is Mandala Puja in 2025?

In the year 2025, Mandala Puja will be organized on Saturday, December 27, 2025. This very sacred festival marks the end of the 41-day period of penance and meditation of worshiping Lord Ayyapa.

This year Mandala Puja started from 17 November 2025 and will conclude on 27 December 2025 at Sabarimala Ayyapa Temple.

Mandala Puja 2025 auspicious time

• Brahma Muhurta from 5.23 am to 6.18 am
• Abhijit Muhurta from 12:02 pm to 12:43 pm
• Twilight time from 5:29 pm to 5:57 pm
• Tripushkar Yoga from 7.12 am to 09.09 am

Mandala puja method and material

The materials required for Mandala Puja are very simple, but it is very important to offer them with full devotion and devotion. The items used in puja are given below-

Photo or statue of Lord Ayyappa

• Yellow clothes or black dhoti for the fasting person
• sesame or coconut oil lamp
• camphor and incense sticks
• Flower
• intact
• turmeric or vermillion
• Panchamrit
• Coconut
• Seasonal fruits and sweets
• basil
• bail letter
• Ganga water
• Laddus, jaggery, gram or coconut for Prasad

Method of Mandala Puja 2025

Before the puja, devotees take a vow to fast for 41 days.

During this period one follows sattvik food and celibate life.

Devotees wear black or blue dhoti and maintain purity of body and mind.

Every morning, after taking bath, while meditating on Lord Ayyapa, Swamiya chants the Sharanam Ayyapa mantra.

Bhog and Aarti

• Coconut, jaggery, gram, fruits and Panchamrit are offered to Lord Ayyapa.
• Celibacy is strictly followed during the fast.
• During this period, eating meat, onion, garlic and tamasic food is prohibited.
• During this time one has to remain disciplined along with speaking the truth.
• Lord Ayyappa is worshiped every day after bathing twice in the morning and evening.
• During this fast, some devotees walk barefoot and sleep on the ground.

Importance of Mandala Puja

Mandala Puja, a very famous religious event of South India, is performed in the Sabarimala temple. On this special occasion, thousands of devotees from all over the country reach Sabarimala temple to have darshan of Lord Ayyapa. During Mandala Puja, the doors of the temple remain open for a long time so that the devotees can have darshan comfortably.

Mention of this puja can also be seen in ancient Malayalam Puranas. It is believed that whoever performs this puja regularly with devotion, good changes take place in his life. Apart from this, Lord Ayyapa fulfills all the wishes.