Decision was made long back, not by us but by the almighty that we ought to stand before him. We were all just toys dancing to his tune and the tune was too HOT this time.
We all had started coming one by one to the Egmore Ayyappan temple at 11 in the morning on 16th Mar. All of us were filled with a great feel of euphoria. The mood was highly infectious. We couldn’t have asked for a better occasion than that. Everyone reached the temple around 12 and we started off with the kettunera.
We had two Kanni swamis Murthy and AthuKutty (5 year old Giri’s niece). I would never be forgiven if I don’t mention one thing as the Kids did a wonderful job throughout the trip. They were one of the important motivating factors for us to climb up the hill and a special thanks to them for taking all of us to our childhood days. Tons of thanks to Vijay Swami (Giri’s Mama) for guiding us throughout the trip.
Spiritual chanting filled the entire temple as we were finishing our kettunera. Relatives of all the swamis thronged the temple and the moment was awesome and everyone were in an impeccable condition and mindset to move on. Food was served to all the swamis, thanks to Raj Bhavan, but the food was a sub-standard category. We didn’t mind it as we got mouth-watering homemade Sweet Pongal.
We enjoyed kidding one and other while we were waiting for the CAB to reach the temple. Our holy trip started and no looking back from then.
We all had reached station at 3 p.m. and our train was scheduled at 3.35. Of the nine travelled, 2 were allocated different compartment and myself one among the two. We didn’t do anything special in the train but for battling with the scorching heat.
We had two other swamis travelling with us in our compartment, who shared their knowledge on Automotive industry which helped us to enrich our knowledge and more importantly it allowed us to kill the time very well. We had our dinner, roti and idly soaked in gun powder, perfect dishes for a train travel. We pulled the curtain down for the day and went to our respective berths.
The train was on time and reached Kottayam at 4, a typical Kerala wee-hour climate welcomed us. The cab was waiting for us even before we could reach the station. A small healthy fight among us as to who shouldn’t sit on the back seat of the Innova.
The joy and enthusiasm filled our hearts as we travelled on the zig-zag, up and down, snake like roads from Kottayam to Erumeli and Illayaraja songs would have made this stretch feel much better L
We took a dip at a river on our way to Pamba. It wiped off all our tiredness which we developed during the overnight travel. Gone were the days, witnessing gushing flow of water, blame this summer, increasing mercury level drastically decreased the water flow, even in Kerala. Terrific swimming activity triggered the hunger, and we entered into Aarya Bhavan (never get carried away with the name is the lesson that is learnt) and had Pongal (the only available dish).
Our hearts jumped in joy and even we were scared if it would pop out of our mouth, as we saw the holy Pamba and the Neelimala. The sun was at his worst and we witnessed many people running in search of shades. Started climbing the hill and made many Soda and Juice sellers turn richer on our way.
The physical and mental sufferings that we underwent flew like a paper in a storm, upon seeing the holy 18 steps. Climbed up the 18 steps and went near the sanctum sanctorum. Lost were the words, electrifying feel from head to toe, tears rolling out of the eyes, even forgot the world and felt like detached from the materialistic world for a moment.
Booked room in KAILAS pilgrim Centre which could accommodate no less than 10 people. Thanks to the Annadhanam provided to all the pilgrims and blessed were those volunteers. The Menu included Sambar, Rasam, butter milk, kootu, poriyal, appalam and payasam, I can’t ask and won’t get more. our team ate till the neck and straight into a siesta.
We all went for a short walk around the temple and visited the nearby temples. I developed a small muscular sprain in both the legs and I stitched the thorn on my left leg. I didn’t mind it and ignored.
We all were set to witness the “Padi Pooja”. Exhaustive Pooja for the holy 18 steps was performed and all our lips were reciting the almighty’s name. Our heart was filled with a spiritual feel but stomach wasn’t. Had so called, Oothappam (Difference between a Dosa and an Oothappam is its diameter, a new lesson for the day) and started untying our Irumudi bag for our next day’s Ghee abhishekam.
Deputed two of our swamis for the ghee abhishekam task at around 4 a.m. Packed our things at 7 and bid-adieu to the lord for the year and started climbing down. The sun was not at his worst until we reached Pamba. Finished our breakfast near the hill-top, which I would rate better as the Sambar vada was tempting us to consume more. Apologies for forgetting the name of the comparatively better hotel L
The Plan was to reach Chengannur, the nearest railway station, 93 Kilometers from Pamba. This time we didn’t need to fight for the seating, as we were too weak to fight, instead we sat quiet. Some of us had stomach-ache due to the scorching heat and didn’t know how to beat it, inspite of drinking of gallons of fluids. We didn’t need Illayaraja but an anti-vomiting pill to enjoy the ride this time. Reached Chengannur at 1.00 p.m. , too early for our 4.30 train.
(Un)luckily we found a Vasanta Bhavan ?! at Chengannur, as learnt from my previous experiences, went with a pre-occupied mindset about the food and my instinct didn’t let me down. Filled our stomach, purchased chips for our colleagues. Back to station, picked some magazines and waited under the asbestos roof (most horrible wait). To our rescue, I found one Tamil speaking guy running business, selling juices and snacks. It was so pity to know that he had been a successful building contractor in Chennai, fighting for his daily bread near a remote railway station. Train was on time and got down at perambur at 6.30 a.m. on the next day. It was one of the most enjoyable and interesting spiritual journeys of my life. Swami Saranam.
Hope you enjoyed the journey with me. If so, you have added one more count to your sabarimalai visit.
