Ayyappa Deeksha is filled with great sanctity and regulations through out which needs to be prudently followed to keep yourself pure and saintly which is the whole purpose of taking up this deeksha
The rules/pracitces to be followed during the Deeksha period are:
1) First and foremost, All the individuals who do mala dharana (wearing of the sacred garland (made of Tulasi mala, rudraksha, Imprinted with Ayyappa's Image on it)
2) The male devotees who take up ayyappa's deeksha are to be addressed as "Ayyappa or Swamy"
3) The female devotees who take up ayyappa's deeksha are to be addressed as "Matha" or "malikapuram", only those who are aged below 8 years and above 50 years (after their Menopause) are eligible candidates to take up deeksha.
4) Upon taking up deeksha one should wear only black coloured shirt / trousers / sarees as applicable.
5) Through out the deeksha period which lasts for 41 days (some say Mandalam = 48 days) one should focus in serving lord Ayyappa, considering every being is Ayyappa and serve them as if we serve Ayyappa.
6) No slippers should be worn and should walk bare foot.
7) Devotees should get up early in the morning much before the sunrise in brahma muhurtam (1.5-2 hours prior to sunrise and complete their daily routines and Puja to Ayyappa.
8) It is good that devotees visit any temple morning or evening during the deeksha period and take active part in the padi puja when attending the same.
9) Devotees should not cut their hair or nails and should not shave their beard or comb their hair during the deeksha period. Focus should not be on the Materialistic, ornamental or beauty enhancing accepts, but to lead a sadhu life as close to divinity and god as possible.
10) Devotees should not sleep on the mattress or anything that comforts, can use mats (Best is dmats made of darbha(auspicious dried grass) /blankets to spread and sleep on them only.
11) Devotees should live like saints/Sadhu through out the deeksha period by keeping them away from any wants which otherwise comes to their minds. Keep chanting the moola mantra "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa" through out the deeksha period.
12) Devotees should not reject if any other devotee who we refer as Ayyappa, offers dinner or lunch and similarly when someone seeks food its a service to lord by offering the best possible.
13) Devotees should avoid spicy / masala foods and eat as normal food as possible which are less in spice and salt. This will help keep, Tamo, Rajo and satva Gunas in Balance and keeps all desires, wants, thinking in a positive and divinely focussed.
14) Devotees should not eat or use Garlic or Onions throughout deeksha period.
15) Devotees should not eat or drink any where other than the places where Ayyappa's offer foods or water. This doesnt mean one swamy is in deeksha at the cooking place but someone else is cooking or offering food, its equivalent to eating in a hotel. PERSON MAKING and SERVING should be a Swamy or matha in deekha. Else that's not where you want to eat when you are in Deeksha. The best alternative is make your own food at home by yourself during all those deeksha days or eat fruits, fruit juices (made by yourself or Mother at home).
16) Devotees should only eat (Bhiksha) twice a day one at lunch (Rice) and one in the night after offering Puja to Ayyappa (Ideally Fruits and a glass of Milk) which will keep you full and easy to wake up in the morning. It is said during deeksha eka bhoktam (One time meal) is to be followed, in which case no cooked meal for the 2nd time is to be taken,
17) Devotees should keep themselves away from Alcohol, smoking or any such habits. should have no anger or resort to any cruel deeds at any circumstances. Following Deeksha is an expectation to get closer to god and hence wrong things like, smoking, alcohol, unpleasant thinking, wrong comments on anyone, use of foul language etc are some deeds that nullify or cause negative effects to your deeksha.
18) Be focussed on your aim for taking Deeksha and work towards the same so God listens to your purest offering from your heart and award you with his blessings.
19) Flowers or Garlands used to perform Puja to Ayyappa should not be thrown along with other waste from the house. But collected the used items to perform Puja (like flowers. Agarbatti's or cotton wicks used for lighting deepam etc)
20) In the event of facing any situations like seeing a dead body, any wrong thoughts creeping into your mind, seeing a women in her menstrual cycle it is said that a holy head bath should immediately (as early as possible) be taken and then wear Vibhoothi(ash), chandan(sandal paste) and Kunkum and then take Mangala Harathi (offering camphor light to god) while chanting 108 sharanas, to nullify the effect of such unexpected wrong things.
DISCLAIMER: All the content said and written above is only an INFORMATION by giving an extract of knowledge received from various Guruswamys, who have been practicing deeksha for several years (more than 18 years). This is only a guide to provide information for the desired. Follow or to not follow is completely an individual choice. We hold no responsibility for anyone following or not following what's written on the site.