Ayyapa Deeksha is a significant spiritual observance dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the deity worshiped in the famous Sabarimala temple. It is a vow of religious discipline, purity, and penance undertaken by devotees to seek Lord Ayyappa’s blessings. The deeksha is typically observed by men, often referred to as Ayyappa Swamis, in the lead-up to the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala, but it can be undertaken at any time by those who wish to dedicate themselves to spiritual practices.