The Initiation Ceremony

A student is initiated into the Kalari usually at the age, of seven, on an auspicious day or on the opening day of the new session. The guru or a senior student will direct him to enter the kalari properly by placing his right foot first, touching the ground with right hand and placing the same on the forehead. Then he is led to the guruttara to perform the same worship. He has to put some money in folded betel leaves as offering dakshina for the master and bow and prostrate before him, touching his legs. The guru places his hands on the pupil's head, blesses him and prays for his boon. This worship; touching the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the gurus feet, is to be repeated every day. The bowing represents complete submission to the kalari deities, Kalari master, its rules and discipline.