Irumudi kettu
The pilgrimage starts with the Kettunira(filling the bundle) ceremony, the filling up of the sacred bundle (Irumudi), conducted either in one's house or in a temple. Irumudi is a cloth bag of two compartments - front portion meant for puja articles and offerings and the rear portion for storing the personal requirements for the holy trek. The main offering to the Lord is the ghee-filled coconut and the Irumudi is balanced on the head while trekking. Once the Kettunira ceremony is over the pilgrim is ready for the pilgrimage