The meaning of carrying Ghee in the Coconut is an age‑old and unique tradition that is followed in Sabari Malai... unfortunately people today follow it without even knowing the meaning.​

This is a unique worship – all your Vrutham is focussed towards this Irumudi and the Irumudi is containing this Ghee... all your 48 days of Vrutham is now given a final shape... for what purpose?​

The coconut is nothing but equated to your body and the ghee is the Atman... and so the ultimate Sharanagati – surrender is the Ghee Abhishekam... it is Atma Nivedhanam.​

One of my friends who is going to Sabari for the past 20 years (and also a Guruswamy) commented, it is just because those days people did not have any containers and ghee will last long for more days and that is the only reason for taking ghee... Sheer arrogance, I say... then why not take honey, why not Chandanam which will last long as well...​

It is a very great quality to accept things which you do not know; but people's ego never allows them to do so... especially with Sastha – whenever you think you are “too smart” and give judgement on His issues... He will immediately show who is smarter...​

You surrender yourself to the Lord... that is the Thathvam of Nei Thengai.​

And once you do your Kettu Nerai... your existence ends there... YES!!!!​

I am not telling this of my own... what I have learnt from many senior Guru Swamis, like my grandfather Kalpathy Chami Anna, my Guru and stalwarts like Kambankudi Mama and many others, I am giving this statement.​

Once you are doing your Kettu Nerai, you are equal to that of a dead body... because your Atman is now installed in the Nei Thengai... (remember... the three hands of rice has a very very subtle and supreme meaning). Now correlate this with the unique system of Sabarimalai Yatra of starting the journey without looking back, no farewell, no good‑byes etc...​

And now answer me...​

• How can you allow Mr. X to put in the rice for your Kettu?

• How can one carry the coconut (which is his own self) for Mr. Y?​

As far as I am told, only during unavoidable circumstances one can carry the Nei Thengai of another person in his Irumudi – only for persons to whom he is karmically bound.​

Today, we see anyone can put in the rice, anyone can even fill the ghee and a devotee can carry Nei Thengai on behalf of 7–8 persons.​

This is the reason I mostly avoid attending Kettu Nerai... the situation becomes embarrassing and I generally vacate the place till it is over...​

How can you expect your results – when you write exams for 5 people?​

Please excuse me, devotees... I am not talking out of arrogance but out of sorrow. Today 99% of the devotees do not follow anything... Sabarimalai has already become a picnic spot...​

Just filling the coconut with the ghee is not Kettu Nerai... you can very well take it in a plastic container instead of so much trouble. That is what is happening today...​

It is hardly possible or it is only 1% to see a proper Kettu Nerai...​

And you have certain qualifications to sit as the Guruswamy for Kettu Nerai... for which Moola Mantram is a must... and he has to do the Avanaham of Sastha in the Mudrai and do the Bhandanam with Astram (not every Guruswamy will be having Moola Mantram but at least he can invite a Sasthru Upasaka to do that or at least follow the basic procedure even without Moola Mantram). This process will be concluded only at Sannidanam for the Abhishekam.​

When properly done, each Nei Abhishekam becomes a mini‑Kumbabishekam for Swami... your Vrutham adds the Sannidyam multifold. You offer yourself to the Lord and He gives Himself...​

Sorry if I am a bit harsh, but...​

My humble request is... please try to learn things and then crave for the blessings of the Lord.​

Doing things which are not told is not going to make any difference.​

When you do not do things which are prescribed, you are in a neutral state – no plus and no minus.​

But doing things which are prohibited will have serious consequences.​

Poi Inri Meiyodu Nei Kondu Ponal Ayyanai Nee Kanalam​

Hariharaputram Saastharam Sadha Bhajeham Maaya Kaaryam Thyejeham​

May Lord Hariharaputra be with you always, giving you the best of everything.