Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 12

Given a choice I would've slept for 2 full hours, but with the need to have Darshan of Kala Bhairavar, we had little time left. Myself with wife and MIL left by 3 PM on Sunday to Kala Bhairavar temple. We had a Pudhina Mango juice on the way. This was bit refreshing. We reached Kala Bhairavar temple around 3:30 pm. The auto driver who was also our guide, told that in another 10 min the temple would open. 

We continued to stand and time started moving. Probably Kala Bhairavar is expected to be incharge of time also, we had to spend lots of time there...! Around 4:45 pm the entrance opened up and people pushed forward. We had bought Kasi Kayiru, which is supposed to be placed on Kala Bhairavar's feet, after which it really gets its power. On entering we got Kala Bhairavar's Blessings and got the Kasi Kayiru also blessed. Pandas are the same everywhere, demanding money, but that's a way of life in Kasi, better to understand it and live with it.

Kala Bhairavar is a powerful Deity with a fierceful look.If one can take Him into their heart, He would be with us for all our good deeds, providing the necessary courage for its fruitful completion.With His Blessings, we proceeding to Chozhi Amman temple. She is supposed to be the sister of Lord Shiva, who once felt jealous about Her Brother getting all the attention. Lord Shiva became angry and cursed Her, for which She requested His pardoning. Lord Shiva became kind and offered that everyone visiting Kasi will visit Her to get to the Poorana Benefit of the yatra.

They give us five chozhis (sea shells) in the temple, out of which one should be held with us and the rest offered to Her. There was a very young boy who asked us to recite the sloka, which was conveying about our request to Her to give us the Full Benefit of Kasi Yatra. This Boy was very courteous and did not demand money.

On the last day early morning we also had a darshan of Varahi. The temple is open between 6 am and 8 am. This also seemed to a powerful temple, where we had to have the Darshan of Varahi from upstairs through a hole in the ground. Varahi is a gigantic figure standing below, where there are two provisions to look at Her fully and to have a Darshan of Her feet separately. We also earlier had Darshan of Sakshi Ganapathy, who becomes sakshi of our visit to Kasi.

After this we packed and started to the Varanasi Rly Station, where Sekar Sastigal came along. He saw us till we reached the platform and took leave from us. We profusely thanked Sekar Sastrigal and requested him to come home whenever he is in Chennai. We started on 24th Apr and reached on the morning of 26th Apr.

With His Blessings,we've now booked our tickets to Rameswaram on 27th May 2011 and would be updating all you. We plan to have samaradhanai sometime before or after this trip. Meanwhile feel free to write to me at ramkumarramachandran@yahoo.co.in for any queries. I will answer whatever is possible, and will put you on to Sekar Sastrigal otherwise. I strongly urge you to buy the Kasi Yathirai book by Shri Sreedharan referred in this series earlier. This gives a glimpse of Kasi Yatra, which I got only on the day of travel.

Thanks for the ones who read this, this long and wishing all of you who want to go on a Kasi Yatra a Heartul Wishes to have a Great Kasi Yatra...!

 

(To be continued - after Rameswaram trip...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 11

We almost lived a Kasi-ian life during out Yatra. We had aloo every day, the way Kasi lives, at times aloo is available for Rs.2/- per kg, we were told. We bathed in Ganges frequently, had our clothes washed in Ganges water. Roamed around Kasi and were used to gallis and cows in those gallis...!It was like walking talking and sleeping Kasi. There was bit of Kasi inside all of us...!

On return from Gaya, we woke up for our coffee next day and were tempted to go for Ganga Snanam again. Sekar Sastrigal had planned for Pancha Theertha Srartham for that day. This demanded the ritual to start with Ganga Snanam, so our expectation and the ritual matched. The only difference was we had to go in full attire, unlike earlier snanams, where we had bath and then got ready. It was an excellent experience anytime, to have bath in Ganga...! We took bath and got into boat with full 'madi' and the possibility of 'madi' being spoilt was nil, since were wet when we got in the boat...!

In the boat we have 'kumuti and charcoal, which Viji used to prepare cook the rice brought by Sekar Sastrigal.The boat started moving and the cooked rice was used to prepare Pindams. We visited five ghats where we offered Pindams separately. We were asked to take bath in three places after getting into the boat. 

Each place the cooking is separate and pindam has to be prepared and offered into Ganges. As told earlier this is a very 'madi' offering, where there nil chances to do anything un-hygenic, as may happen in other places. Some info on this is here:- 

Pancha Theertha Sraddham Sradham and Pinda Dhanam is performed at the following ghats:-

• 1. Asi Ghat- Here the river Asi joins the river Ganga
• 2. Dashwamedha Ghat –The Rudra Sarovar mixes with Ganga in this ghat.
• 3. Varuna Ghat- The waters which washes God Vishnu’s feet is suppose to merge in Ganga in this Ghat.
• 4. Pancha Ganga Ghat- Here the waters of the five rivers of Dharmanadha, Dhoodhapapa, Kirana, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi is suppose to merge.It is believed that the bath here is holiest.
• 5. Mani Karnika Ghat

 

This was a very heart warming exercise, where we feel that we offered Pindams to Pithrus in the most purest and respectful form. I told my Mom with lots of happiness and satisfaction the same, who also sounded very happy. 

Second half of the day we went for shopping. My wife Viji went with Sekar Sastrigal's wife and I went with Sekar Sastrigal. I bought three Kurtas and gave it for stitching there itself. Sekar Sastriga promised to despatch this through some Chennai Bhaktas who would be coming to Kasi, which I was perfectly fine and told him that there is no hurry.

Next day was the last day for us at Kasi and readied for a hectic schedule. Morning was Ko Dhanam, where there was good red cow brought in. I ensured my Mom was there to witness this. It was her effort of bringing me up without father from my 13th year and bless me to become whatever I'm today. My Father's and other forefathers Blessings were evident and I wanted my Mom to be present this precious moment. 

It was a beautiful Kamadhenu, as told, red in color and a small white patch on the forehead.It had a small calf born just 36 days ago, which was also there. We did Ko Pooja and it showed us a very comfortable position for us to conduct the pooja.My Mom was elated. After the pooja we went to on do the Dampathi Pooja at Sekar Sastrigal's residence. Smt & Sri Sekar Sastrigal were like our Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi. 

Later we gave Thamboolam to Sumagalis whom Sekar Sastrigal had invited. Later we went to Annapooreswari temple, where my wife had the 'bhagyam' of doing abisekham on her own.This is like the chance we got to do abisekham to Ganga Matha, something we never expected but She decided to give us. Later we went to Kasi Viswanathar temple again, this time had the chance of doing abisekham with Viji for Kasi Viswanathar.

All this was possible because of our Pithrus Blessings, The Divine Blessings and effort of Sekar Sastrigal. He was not only influential in Kasi, but also was very caring. He ensured whatever should be provided for Elders was done promptly and whatever to be done for the kids also promptly. Never did he let us down anywhere.

The last leg was to visit Kala Bhairavar, post lunch. By now were actually very tired...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 10

There are sixty four ghats in Kasi. Each under a God's name or some Holy Personality's name or some King's name. Out of this only two ghats are used to burn the pyre viz. Harichandra Ghat and Manikarnigha Ghat. Out of these two, Harichandran Ghat has to burn one pyre atleast, since the ashes from this is taken for early morning abisekham to Kasi Viswanathar.

The day of travel to Gaya, we started early in the morning to Shivala Ghat and started our yet another exciting bath in Ganges. The experience is something that cannot be conveyed in words. The kids really enjoyed it. They were screaming and jumping in the water. We made several dips in the water. I remembered our 'Thula Snanam' that we had with the Blessings of Kaveri Matha in Srirangam. Probably Kaveri Matha blessed us to have yet another exciting experience with Ganga Matha...!

By early noon we started to Gaya and visited Bodhgaya on the way. We had a guide by name Mishra in his mid 30s, who was the only disappointing person in this entire tour. We were never sure what was the purpose of his accompanying. He either walked before us or behind us. Bodhgaya is a peaceful and beautiful place where Buddha got enlightened. The description of Buddha's enlightenment was in too simple words and if one attempts meditation, it was easily coming thru. The place was definitely something special...!

We reached Gaya around 8 pm and stayed in Karnatak Bhavan. This seems to be the place of all south indians coming to Gaya for Pinda Tharpanam. People are very courteous, but the facilities are bare minimum. If Pithru rituals are on the top of the mind, one need not bother about the facilities. Sekar Sastrigal had organized Shri Chandrasekar to take care of us at Karnatak Bhavan. We had a good Upma for dinner and went to sleep. 

Morning we got up and readied to go to Vishnu Padham, which is walkable from Karnatak Bhavan. Here we have to cook the rice using the water from Falguni. Water is not evident at the surface of Falguni, but on digging a little. There was a boy who was selling water by digging a huge crater on the bed of Falguni. We picked up water from this one.

We can offer pindam to our ancestors and to all known departed souls. This could be any of our deceased relatives, friends,pets, gurus, animals, birds etc. Motherless people have to offer 64 pindams and those with mother should offer 48 pindams. I offered 48, which included my classmate Alexander who recently passed away. Felt very happy, since his soul would've now settled peacefully.

These pindams were dropped on the Vishnu Padham, which is hard impression of Lord Vishnuhimself. Puranas tell that Gayasuran took a boon that whoever touches him will attain Moksham and reach heaven. Due to this there was no one coming to hell, and Heaven was overcrowded. Devars complained about this to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, in turn asked the Thevars to request Gayasuran's body to perform a yagna. This request from Devars was immediately accepted by Gayasuran and yagna was performed. But, Gayasuran's head was shaking and was not steady, for which Lord Vishnu pressed His foot on Gayasuran's body. 

Gayasuran understood all of their intent, and told that he would've done all this more willingly, if he knew it was Lord Vishnu's wish. He then asked Lord Vishnu to provide a boon again, where anyone doing Pinda Tharpanam here will make their Pithrus go to Moksha forever and all their misdeeds will be cleansed off. Lord Vishnu gave him this boon. It is so believed that when one provides Pinda Tharpanam and completes Gaya Srartham, their forefathers will reach Moksha and will never have birth again by having Happy Life in Heaven.

After this we went to Akshaya Vadam, the most fascinating place. This tree's root is in Prayag, trunk in Varanasi and tip in Gaya. This is the place Dasarathar is supposed to have got His Pindam. The first pindam was given to Dasrathar by Seetha...! Seetha who came out from Falguni, saw the hungry Dassrathar asking for Pindam.Since Shri Ramar was just then cooking the rice for Pindam, Seetha took the sand on the banks of Falguni and made into two Pindams and offered it to Dasarathar. Dasarathar was happy with this and consumed it.

When Shri Ramar offered Pindam, Dasarathar did not take it, instead informed that He has already taken it from Seetha. Shri Ramar asks for eye-witness to this incident, which Seetha had. They were Thulasi, Falguni river, Gaya Brahmin, Cow and Akshaya Vatam. Except Akshaya Vatam, all other, fearing conflict between Rama and Seetha, tell that they are not aware of this. Seetha curses these four, but Akshaya Vatam, which tells the truth is blessed to live across yugas. So Akshaya Vatam is very Holy. We did Pinda Tharpanam here and offered to Akshaya Vatam. 

We offered on Pindam to crow as well. Mom had a high sense of satisfaction. I could see from her face that there was sense of achievement and fulfillment. My prayer to Him for giving a strong physique and strong mind seems to have been addressed...!

We reached to Karnatak Bhavan to do Srartham, with homam. Vadhyar organized by Sekar Sastrigal at Gaya was very good. He guided us through slokas clearly. After Srartham, Gaya Brahmana Bhojanam was done. They don't take much of rice but more of pooris and vadais.Sekar Sastrigal asked my wife to server lots of Poori and Vadai to these brahmins to have a happy food. They also looked very happy after the bhojanam, and blessed us. 

When we sat to eat it was 4:30 pm. After this we had a small sleep and started back to Kasi around 6 pm. We reached Kasi around midnight. We were now getting into the last leg of our Kasi Yatra...! It continued look like dream...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 9

The next day morning had my wife complaining of food poisoning and MIL complaining indigestion...! With His Blessings, my Mom was pretty normal...! He had ensured that my worst fears were fully addressed, which is of my Mom not being comfortable in the journey. Mom was fine and also advised what medication can each one have (my Father was a Pharmacist...!)

Again the day started at 6:30, when the piping hot coffee came, but we were no mood to jump in for the same, due to stomach problems. Sekar Sastrigal came in later to inform the day's itinerary. Seeing our situation, he became extremely concerned. He told that food would come from his home from now on and not from the identified cook. It looked like he strongly felt that food was the trigger. Looks like he was right, since the time food started coming from his home, we were alright.

It was Hiranya Srardham, Punyaka Vachanam and other rituals on Day 2 at Kasi. This happened at Sekar Sastrigal's residence. It was a nice place with a blend of old and new style, and was claimed to be a century old home. With stomach upset, I sat in the function with lots of worry, but with the belief that He would do whatever was right to me. We completed the rituals safely and went back to Ashram where we had our lunch. I took some medicine, which I always wanted to do as the last resort, but this time there were not many options.

After around 2 hours of sleep we got up and dressed in semi-formal attire (Veshti / Podavai) to the temples. It is surprising that such famous temples are in small 'gallis' / narrow roads. Mom also was there to have darshan of Anna Poorneswari (she also had some bigger good things in store for us later...!). We had a good darshan of all other deities around Anna Poorneswari. From there we reached Kasi Viswanathar temple.

Here was Kasi Viswanathar, we were waiting to have a Darshan all along...! The one, entire World is waiting to see...! What a place, what a crowd and what a simplicity of The Lord. He stands in the corner as a small structure, misleading people to be a simple soul, but in fact being the Saviour of many...! He only brought in Ganga Matha here...! He only made this place as His Place...! Shiva Parvathi first put their foot in Kasi, seeing this place to be very peaceful and for its beauty.

We were able to embrace Him and convey our respects and affection. I never thought I can bend so much, for my paunch...! He made it possible...! My Mom and MIL had the bhagyam of doing abisekham for Him...! What an opportunity..! All this amidst tight police supervision. Police were everywhere, bit rude bit harsh but doing their duty.

We also had the Darshan of Dundi Ganapathy, before getting into all these Darshan. From Kasi Viswanathar, we went to have a Darshan of Kasi Visalakshi. There were people from some madam singing tamil hymns. All of them looked to be Sanyasis. The Darshan of Kasi Visalakshi also looked to be a dream...! Suddenly it looked like having a darshan of Karpagambal at Mylai. Did Karpagambal come to Kasi or have been seeing Visalakshi at Mylai...! It was a beautiful experience...!

Later after a good dinner, we went into good sleep. We were to travel to Gaya the next day by early noon. Ganga Matha had plans to excite us the next day morning...! Next day morning we set off again to Shivala Ghat for some more exciting experience...!

(To be continued...!)

 

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 8

We marched on the banks of Ganga right from Shivala ghat to Prayag Ghat (Das Aswamedha Ghat), which was a wonderful experience by itself. Boatmen were calling us to get into boats and have a great view of the Ganga Maha Aarathi.

from their boats. We were never listening to them, our point was on Sekar Sastrigal, who was trotting fast before us. Myself, wife and the kids only were there. Very honestly, I had great fascination about Ganga Arathi, but never in my life time I thought I will be coming to look in person...! (But Ganga Matha had bigger things for us...!)

We reached the Prayag Ghat and thought of standing and having a good Darshan of Aarthi. This is a tourist attraction and there was huge crowd out there. My wife suddenly remembered what need not be remembered, she asked ' This is the place there was a bomb blast last year right?'. I did not want to answer her, getting into that state of mind will make us miss the action that was currently happening. 

There was young stage performer who was singing bhajans mellifluously. There was a sudden tapping from behind by Sekar Sastrigal. He showed us a dais which was empty, right before the middle arathi person. There were seven people waiting to perform Aarathi and we were made to sit comfortably on a decorated dais behind the fourth Aarathi. Again, this disbelief...! What am I doing...! How did this become possible? There were no questions to logical answers, but Ganga Matha had brought us here and has given a seat to look at the Aarathi for her.

Then, suddenly there was this second tapping behind me. Again, it was Sekar Sastrigal. He informed the most exciting thing. "They are calling you to do the initial abisekham to Ganga Matha". We were in total belief. I went into a state of trance. I cannot believe what was happening. Out of the thousands gathered there, we were called for doing the Ganga Abisekham after which the Ganga Maha Aarathi would start.

We got down the steps, helped by the Aarathi team and were made to do all the poojas to Ganga Matha. Me, my wife and kids were asked to do this. Smearing of kumkum, santhanam and all the Holy things. Milk was poured onto Ganga Matha and finally a garland put on her...! We returned to see the Ganga Maha Arathi start and enjoyed the full session...! At the time of sitting on the dais, we had another beautiful experience. There was huge Shri Satya Sai photograph smiling at us. We were moved to get His Darshan there...! This was couple of days He attained Siddhi.

My younger son Prashanth was bit uneasy throughout, but enjoyed the aarathi and other rituals. We walked back to the main road and got an auto back to the Ashram. On reaching the Ashram, Prashanth became sick with stomach upset and vomiting...! But now, I was quite relaxed, since I thought, that we have come as guests to Kasi Viswanathar, so let Him take care of all this.

Sometime later in the night my elder son Pranav complained the same, and in the middle of the night I had the same problem. But throughout all this, I've left it to Him to do whatever He feels fit. This was yet another adventure He gave for us...! It was only my wife, Mom and MIL who were normal. This also proved wrong the next day...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 7

It was an excellent sleep on the day we reached Kasi. Sleeping on the lap of mother Ganga with the care of Kasi Viswanathar and Kasi Visalakshi, what more you need to have a peaceful sleep. Having immersed safely the Veni Madhavar brought from Rameswaram at Prayagai, the sleep was probably more peaceful.

Right in the morning at 6:30 we had Vijay, the guide deputed by Sekar Sastrigal knocking the doors of our room. Here I should tell about Balananda Teerthashramam. It is an excellent no-frills traditional building, which is really huge with plenty of rooms. Few closed places are dusty, but all places used by people were clean. There was a lady dhobi who came to collect our clothes for washing. I was thrilled by the possibility of our clothes washed with Ganga water. What a bhagyam...!

Morning we went to Ganga through the nearby (5 to 10 minutes from Balananda Ashram) Shivala Ghat. My Mom also came apart from my wife, kids and MIL. I had the Blessings of Him where my Mom was able to hold my hands and have Holy Dip in Ganga...! What a Blessing. The same person whom we were scared due to hip surgery, is here bending down to have Ganga Snanam...! Definitely Pithrus are looking at us and Blessing us...!

She peacefully completed the Ganga Snanam and was helped by Vijay, our guide, back to Ashram. Myself and the kids were excited and never felt like coming out. Since we had the sankalpam around 10 am, we were forced to come out of our snanam. We later dressed in traditional attire and went to a place near Sankara Madam for sankalpam. Sekar Sastrigal had informed us that there would be around thirty brahmins who will be present to bless us a Happy and Successful Kasi Yatra. I was amazed at the possibility of thirty Kasi Brahmins blessing all of us for our Kasi Yatra...!

When we entered the hall, there were already quite a few Brahamanas and our sankalpam started. All the stars and Gothrams of all of us, myself, Mom, Wife, Kids and MIL were asked and recited accordingly. Now, I was getting used to tell "Uththarae Parswe, sadapthae, varthamanae..." the north of Vindhyas sankalpam.

The brahmanas crowd started increasing and Sekar Sastrigal was on the top of his voice to tell the mantras. The Holy Vedas getting into our ears, we were thrilled, I'm sure it was making some goodness for our system, which no logic could prove. Then there was the Guru of Sekar Sastrigal, who told certain specific mantras for our wellbeing and for good Kasi Yatra.

After providing due respects to all the Brahamanas we set off to Manikarnigha Ghat on boat. We climbed the steps to reach Sakkara Theertham, which was across the road and needed to climb down. This teertham is the place where where Lord Shiva's third eye touched upon and Goddess Parvathi's Karnika dropped into (that was my understanding from my little Hindi knowledge, heard from guide Vijay). We did 'Prokshanam' of this chakkara theertham and brought some theertham back in a vessel to the boat to sprinkle on the kids.

We again had a bath at Manikarnigha ghat. Kids enjoyed this too...! The steps here are very very very slippery and one is advised utmost caution while getting down. I sat down for the last two visible steps and had a good bath. The pandas are always around you to do something or the other and later demand money. Here too, a person helped me take water and wanted some money when I got into the boat. Point is, in Kasi you never feel like telling a 'No' to anyone asking for alms...! You naturally tend to give them, without questioning...! I strictly followed Sekar Sastrigal's advice on this front.

In the evening, I was describing my Mom about the brahmanas at Sankalpam and told around thirty had come. Sekar Sastrigal, who came there told that it was not thirty, but fifty eight to be precise...! I was amazed. Brahmanas representing Rig, Yaju, Sama and Atharvana Vedham were there. Additionally, under Yajur, two sets of people with Krishna-Yajur and Sukla-Yajur were there he informed. He told all the Vedhas were recited for Happy and Successful Kasi Yatra...! I was moved...! Time and again, His Care is proven...!

Then we moved on to have a darshan of Ganga Maha Aarathi. We never knew the further surprises that Ganga Maa had for us, with mixed bags...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 6

When our Kicha Sastrigal at Rameswaram told 'Pack Holy sand Veni Madhavar first in your bag to Kasi, before you forget', we were wondering 'how come one can ever forget the Holy sand Veni Madhavar'. In the train we heard this story. One of the family which travelled in the same train to Kasi had missed the Veni Madhavar. They ordered their Vadhyar and a relative to bring it in the car to the station, by which time train had started. So, Veni Madhavar was requested to be couriered...! Oh my God, I did not have the wildest dream of Kicha Sastrigal's words coming true for anyone.

On reaching Siva Madam and getting ourselves refreshed and had our first good coffee in three days, we felt we were alive and kicking...! We did our rituals there of Sankalpam and the rest and set off to Thriveni Sangamam. Prayagai (Prayag) is called as Theertha Raja. For the first time in life I was doing Sankalpam north of Vindhyas and the slokas differed to that extent. The sankalpam referred to the Kshetram (Prayag) and conveyed about Theertha Raja and also referred the near by cities of Kasi and Gaya and even referred Buddha...!

After the sankalpam we went to Veni Madhavar temple which was a quite one with lots of beauty. As a common one, all the famous temples of Prayag-Kasi-Gaya were in 'gallis' or narrow roads. None of them wore the pomp and splendor of south indian temples like Kanchi, Madurai or Tanjavur.

We took the Sumo to Thriveni Sangamam. On the way we had Darshan of temple built by Sankara Madam and the very famous Anjaneyar temple. Anjaneyar here is below the ground level and in horizontal position to the ground. There was a big crowd out here.

Thriveni Sangamam is the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy. Here ladies are expected to do Veni Dhaanam, which is cutting part of their hair and giving it to Thriveni Sangamam. This is supposed to be very Holy Act. The husbands are expected to do this and later comb the wife's hair and make it three bands and cross band them. The three bands are supposed to be Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy. While three bands are evident while fixing the hair, only two are visible outside, similarly only Ganga and Yamuna are evident outside and Saraswathy is hidden below. 

These three Holy Rivers confluence is the place we have to take our Holy Dip. I also was shaved off a bit from my head hair, since that was mandatory. Later all of us, with our kids had a good Thriveni Sangamam Snanam. It was a beautiful experience. We wanted to be there for one more hour, but our guide informed us to pack back. There was an elderly couple from Delhi who were also with us in the boat. They were very jovial and were enquiring how to put 'pinnal' for bob cut ladies...! There is something special about this pair. We met them in Allahabad, Thriveni Sangamam first, later at Kasi on the boat and as well in Gaya (Bodh Gaya)...! I felt my own Grandpa has been going round watching me with my Grandma...! Possibly true.

After Thriveni Sangamam we returned to Siva Madam and performed Pinda Thaanam. Later we had our lunch and had a small sleep. We had brought in Ganga Jal from Thriveni Sangamam which we packed in various sizes of sombus, including one big one for Ramanatha Swamy abisekham. We packed all and started our travel to Kasi, the place of maximum action...! We reached bit late in the evening and reached Balananda Ashram at Kasi. We got a huge room with five cots @ Rs.150 per cot. It was a very neat room with attached bath and toilet, which were crystal cler. In half hour's time Sekar Sastrigal was there with strong piping hot coffee, receiving all of us with his inimitable smile...! 

Only next to The Amighty's Blessings, our Pithrus Blessings it was Sekar Sastrigal's (+919335474312 / +91 9936651109) excellent co-ordination and concern for our comfortable stay and doing rituals, we had this wonderful Kasi Yatra. His presence radiated power and any weak soul, ailing soul or lethargic soul immediately came to life. Many a times Viji or me or my MIL would've offered to stay back in the room, but when he came and asked 'Vaango Kilambalaam' we were all up and ready for the trip.

We went to bed after a good chappathi - alu sabji with the thoughts of Ganga and our snanam in it...! We never thought Ganga had bigger plans for us during our stay in Kasi...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 5

Long travels in trains with big group is real fun. We had a long travel, but our group was My Mom, myself, my wife, my kids Pranav & Prashanth and my Mother-in-law. It was exciting one with all foods packed for two days in compact a/c compartment. I felt like being on a picnic than a pilgrimage, just missed a bigger crowd of my cousins and uncles / aunts.

There were last minute adventures here too. We went to the identified Kasi Viswanathar temple on the morning of the travel. The gurukal was very kind, when we informed about the Kasi Yatra he blessed us for good trip and did pooja for the same as well. Meanwhile, I had hunted down this book on Kasi Yatra by Shri Sreedharan (+91 44 2224 1414 / sridharan@swarnapuri.in) and had to visit the shop near Appar Swamy koil street by noon. 

With my Mom having undergone her hip replacement surgery, I was bit wondering how to engage the battery vehicle at Central Station. My MIL reached the station in the first trip by car and waited for us. The second trip all the rest of us with rest of luggage reached the station. The place where we alighted and walked in, my MIL was standing to inform us that, that was the very spot where battery car would pickup elders...!

The battery car came for some VIP and to my surprise the VIP lady was accommodative to my Mom. She volunteered to make my Mom get in the vehicle and sit comfortably. It was amazing, I felt that I had to make my Mom walk a bit, then take the vehicle. Inspite of the doctors confidence and my Mom's readiness to walk a little, I yearned that she is comfortable through out the journey. The prayers seemed to have been answered and probably Kasi Visalakshi was there to give my Mom a Happy Ride to the train...!

The travel in train was mixed experience of boring, funny, interesting, relaxing and enjoying...! We ate, talked, watched, slept and kept wondering at time, what to do. After two days of travel, we reached Allahadbad. The train was early by 30 minutes and I went to out see what station this was, due to Mom's insistence and discovered we have reached ALD...!

We had our guide Dheeraj waiting for us there. We travelled to Siva Madam from the station and the Prayag experience started...! 

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 4

Many a times fact is stranger than fiction, where you yourself experience something very odd and wonder if there is some scripting all these acts...! When we started our journey to Rameswaram, this only came to my mind. We discovered that there was a Kasi Viswanathar temple in our locality within 2 KM, which we have never visited prior. Ravi Anna advised us to definitely go to this shrine before setting off to Kasi.


There are not many Kasi Viswanathar temples in Chennai. Now, suddenly this thought of Kasi Yatra comes to the mind and more suddenly we discover a Kasi Viswanathar temple in our own locality...! Too much of a coincidence...! The first line I uttered to Viji on getting into the train was 'It looks like a dream'. I felt like I was watching myself getting ready for Kasi Yatra from somewhere beside. There was never a feeling of 'me' doing the Kasi Yatra, more because I never felt that such a 'bhagyam' could be got very easily. I was keenly watching myself doing all the acts, curiously watching the adventures, wondering about the obstacles so on and so forth. Never was there a minute where I felt that 'I' was doing this yatra...! It was 'driven' not 'done'...!

We reached Rameswaram and checked into Hotel Venkatesh. Our contact Swaminatha Sastrigal (+91 9943308217) was residing in the adjacent street. He is an excellent co-ordinator who had given clear instructions prior. On the day of our arrival at Rameswaram, he had some other task and thereby deputed Krishnamurthy (Kicha) Sastrigal for our activities. There was a jeep engaged for us which came around 7:30 AM and took us on a long winding trip to Dhanushkodi.

Travel to Dhanushkodi has to be enjoyed, else it will look tiring. This is a place which was once inhabited by people and active and lively. A possible tsunami had engulfed this place, where our jeep driver was showing the railway station, choultries and other buildings. This is the place tip of Dhanush, where we did sankalpam and did take 36 dips in the ocean. This place is the confluence of Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal and taking a Holy Bath here is very auspicious.

After this starts the most important act of creating Veni Madhavar, Bindu Madhavar and Sethu Madhavar from the sands of Dhanushkodi beach. 'Kicha' Sastrigal was very eloquent in the mantras very involved. The mantrams were cleansing us from all 'Paapams' and 'Saabams' to make us pure enough to do the Kasi Yatra...! It was surprising at the depth of mantras which was making us mentally and physically ready for the yatra.

Amongst the three deities, Veni Madhavar was packed by us for immersion in Thriveni Sangamam. Sethu Madhavar was immersed into Dhanushkodi ocean and Bindu Madhavar given to Sastrigal as alms. Here comes a very interesting incident. We saw another family coming in another jeep, but they were gone even before we completed our poojas. Then we completed our rituals and started, from nowhere a old person appeared. He was in old clothes and looked not so clean. But from where did he come...! No clue. I was surprised to see a similar experience from another Person...! We offered him some alms too...! I definitely felt that Our Pithrus were watching us across this exercise...!

We then went to Agni Theertham and took Holy Dips there also. Then we went to Ramanatha Swamy temple and bathed in 22 Punya Theerthams...! It was suddenly occurring to me that I had been clueless about all these till the moment before. While I had a hint of the 'Theerthams' sometime back, I never knew how it would look like. I was expecting small ponds in adjacent locations or possibly in a row where we can have bath in a sequence, or so. But He has decided to give us a Grand Experience...! Each Theertham was unique, which only should be experienced to be understood.

We went back to our room to wear traditional dresses (panch kachcham for me, madisar for Viji) and went to for Hiranya Srartham. The very same 'Kicha' Sastrigal did the srartham. He was very dedicated and we were very impressed by his involvement. The srartham went on well and was completed by around 1 PM. We had our lunch at a Maami's place organized by our Swaminatha Sastrigal and left to our room for relaxing.

By 4 PM we got ready for Darshan of Ramanatha Swamy. We had a guide who did Theertha Snanam for us, who took us to all the deities. We had Bhagyam of getting around eleven litres of milk for abisekam to Ramanatha Swami. It was His call to have this abisekam. The thought that we were mere executors of His Will, was coming into me strongly. He decides to have abisekam, He decided to have the milk available in abundance, He enables us to buy the same and He does abisekam for Himself...! At the end of this He gives us the Happiness and Boundless Bliss...! We just have to enjoy the experience He gives...! Nothing more is done by us...!

After this exciting trip to Rameswaram, we started to Chennai the same day evening, only to have more beautiful experiences at Allahabad, Kasi and Gaya...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams
Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 3

The train to Rameswaram starts from Egmore at 17:40. I thot I will travel back home for lunch and be on leave there on, since my travel to home takes 90 minutes. As the game was becoming more interesting, there was a delivery team cum Vendor meeting planned for 3 PM...! There was no way I can travel home and then travel to Egmore. To my agony, the tickets were still wait listed as per morning 10 AM status. By 11:30 they became RAC for me and still WL for Viji.

I was ready to call off the entire yatra any moment. It is an easy act, just do online cancellation, before chart preparation. My heart was not letting me do that, for varied reasons beyond comprehension...! Three pm the meeting started and by four pm it was still on. Viji had started from home by then, with the anxiety that she may have to hunt for the coach. I sneaked into IRCTC site, while in the meeting, without others watching the same. Hurrrrraaayyy...! I had confirmed seats 35 amd 36, just sms-ed this to Viji who was getting into the auto...!

There was sense of relief for her. Now, my plan to board the train. This was His idea probably. My office was nearer to Chengalpattu, through which the train passes. It takes ten minutes for me to reach this place. Incidentally, Chengalpattu is my native place too...! Looked like He wanted me to kickoff Kasi Yatra from my native place. I reached Chengalpattu rly station in time and got into the train to Rameswaram, on time...! Oh God what a planning He does for us...! Nothing of this human act...! The train set off to Rameswaram...!

(To be continued...!)

 

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 2

With the importance of Kasi Yatra becoming clear by the day and I clearly started understanding that I've caught hold of not a tiger cub, but a real big tiger, I almost decided to drop the Yatra after hearing that my Mom has to be operated for hip replacement. She was hosptialized for 15 days and never a day I had a thought of Kasi on these days. 

With His Blessings, the surgery went on well and doctors were too happy about the surgery outcome. My Mom felt that it was a re-birth for her...! Even at this juncture we never though of pursuing the Kasi Yatra, since we felt that Mom would take quite sometime to recuperate. One week after discharge she went for a doctor's checkup and enquired whether she can travel to Kasi, her doctor Joseph Navaseelan was more than forthcoming and told 'you can jog your way Kasi, you are completely a new person now'. Mom became comfortable with these inputs and she was also becoming stronger psychologically, with His Blessings.

Still, we were not convinced. We asked our Home Sastrigal Shree Rajesh Vathyar whether we can pursue the Kasi Yatra. His answer was very convincing. He told 'you have one and half months to go, wait and decide, never think of cancelling Kasi Yatra which doesn't happen that easily'. From then, I held the tiger's tail more tightly.

After all this, our Rameswaram trip was not planned to bring in Veni Madhavar and I was deeply engrossed in my official activities. It was only three weeks to go, my official trip to France got confirmed and I had to travel to Paris. This means effectively I return on a Sunday and the forthcoming Saturday we would've set offf to Kasi. All this without travelling to Rameswaram. We were not sure what to do...!

We discussed with Rajesh Vathyar to see the do Kasi Yatra without going to Rameswaram. His answer was blunt 'If you wanted to do Kasi Yatra the way our Forefathers did, then you HAVE to go to Rameswaram. If you decide other ways, the call is yours'. That was not a very friendly message...!

I traveled to Paris without booking ticket to Rameswarm, inspite of these warning...! Not sure, why I did this. The sunday Apr 9th I returned from Paris, sat and booked our tickets, myself and wife, to Rameswaram.  We had to start on Wed evening and return on Fri morning, one day for Rameswaram activities...! Both were wait listed and we had only three days in between. Again His Thiruvilayadal became evident...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Kasi Yatra Chronicles - Part 1

Kasi Yatra - A Holy Trip everyone wishes to take in their life time. I sincerely don't know why and when this thought got into me even before my retirement age...!? I still vaguely remember talking to some friend around eight years back about Kasi Yatra. After that it was more sporadic discussions than concerted effort.

Very Honestly I don't know what Kasi Yatra had in store, just that it is for the pay our respects to our Pithrus. I did not even know that there were three cities involved in Kasi Yatra. Just that we should go to Rameswaram, bring 'sand' from there and go to Kasi and immerse it there and travel to Rameswaram again with Ganga water. No specifics were known, no idea on duration, not an hint on cost...!

It all happened by itself...! Mailam Murugan's Blessings and Annamalaiyar's Blessings with our Forefathers Blessings made it all happen. In hind sight, nothing, none of it was pre-planned. The first info was from Vaitheekashri's 'Santhega Nivaarani' which told about the sequence of travel of Kasi Yatra. That was the first hint.

Then, during the current year (2011) Book Fair, I got Shri Baranidharan's 'Kasi Yathirai'. This book was more about Kasi, but gave insight on various temples and ghats in Kasi. Sometime during Jan 2011 end, there was a spark and I sat with Viji (my wife) and booked the tickets three months in advance. I had caught the tiger by its tail by then...! I liked doing this...!

My official life started becoming hectic by now...! Yes, I was getting into a new responsibility starting Jan 19th. I started having three hours daily travel from this time. Having booked the Kasi tickets, we contacted Ravi Anna our family friend and my Mentor for further details on Kasi Yatra.

Ravi Anna introduced us to Sekar Sastrigal of Kasi, who became our all-in-all guide there. Viji contacted Sekar Sastrigal who adviced which train to book for return. From here, Sekar Sastrigal guided us on what we should bring how much would be the expense and the itinerary. Incidentally, I never harped on the itinerary since I left it to the discretion of Him and Sekar Sastrigal. 

Just that the date of departure was Apr 16th and return was Apr 26th 2011. We spent four days in travel and rest for Kasi Yatra. What we had missed out was our travel plan to Rameswaram. The first adventure came in Feb 2011, when my mother met with a fall and had a hip fracture and was asked to go in for Hip Replacement Surgery...! We knew that He was having playing some Thiruvilayadal with us...!

(To be continued...!)

Pranams

Ram

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 7

Couple of months before we were lucky to go for 'Thula Snanam' in Kaveri at Srirangam Amma Mandapam. Least did I recognize that is only a precursor to heartfull bath that Aiyappan was planning for me at Pampa. We got into Pampa which was flowing gently, neither in a rush nor very low. It was a pleasant experience. I sat on the river bed and had a hearty bath. There are no words to express the happiness (some better word needed...!) of Pampa Snanam. 

All the stress of the system was massaged away by Pampa. I took a slightly big pebble and massaged my inner feet on both legs. It was a sooperb experience. The stress was going off and energy flowing in...! I never felt like coming out, but for want of time and the need to have His Darisanam, I finished my bath in 90 minutes...!

I should tell about 'Kombu Sami', the bamboo stick who joined me at Velliangiri and from thereon has become an integral part of all important journeys. Kombu Sami accompanied this yatra also. Guruswami informed me that when we stand in the queue to Sannidhanam, security will ask us to drop the sticks. I told that kombu sami is important for all of us at home with the ability to cure any problem, thereby stored it in the Annadana Matam near Pampa Ganapathy.

We started climbing from Pampa around 4 PM and for my conscious mind, Neeli Mala climbing was real 'uphill' task, but Aiyappan did not make the system to pant or puff, but gave an overall pleasant ride up the Hill to His Sannidanam.

We reached the queue by 8 PM, which was slowly moving. It took two hours to move to the last leg, when people felt that it is time to close the nada. I was in between standing and staring at others. Something was amiss for me. I was wondering why were people looking for Him inside Sannidanam...! I closed my eyes and saw the Golden Bright Aiyappan floating just above the queue - a Bramaanda Darisanam. I opened the eyes and look around, still the same anxiety. I closed my eyes again, and again the Wonderful Darisanam, this happened thrice...! The verge for me to rush and see the Sannidanam came down. I started moving as if I've completed my Darisanam...!

Then we heard 'Harivarasanam...', the nada was getting closed and we were still in the queue...! We were still allowed to climb up the Patinettam Padi...! Each step on it was vibrating...! I'm not able to pen down my feelings about my experience on climbing Patinettam Padi...! It is all only feelings, expressions, emotion, nothing fits the words...!

Aiyappan made us stay one more night and gave us a Wondeful Wholesome Darisanam, next day morning. My Guruswami organized one more Darisanam, which was like eating sumptuous lunch twice...! Now, I was able to feel that Aiyappan had become part of parcel of my life...! He resides within me, besides me and above me...! Returning after Darisanam was as smooth as a flight, fresh, happy and energetic...!

When we started to Chennai, there was mixed feelings

'Will Aiyappan give more experiences like this'

'Will Aiyappan make me wear Thulasi maalai every Karthikai and make me visit Him'

'Will Aiyappan make me do some service to His Temple'

I'm sure the answers will reveal itself with time...! 

Swamiye Saranam Aiyappa...!

Pranams

Ram

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 6

When I started walking alone, by 5 I reached a spot where a boy from a shop came running to me and asked for time. I told him that there was no watch or mobile with me to find the time. Then he informed me that my Guruswami had requested me to go back to Mukkizhi and take an auto to Pampa. 

I smiled at Him and moved away. Immediately after few shops another shop owner stopped me and told the same thing. This person sounded more scary and told for another 2 KM Karimala was going to be very steep. His gestures were bit scaring. I looked at him and told 'Look, Aiyappan has brought me here. If He Wishes me to finish this yatra He will do it. I'm not contributing in any way to this yatra, it is He who is driving everything. If He can then  I will definitely go thru all this'. In hindsight, it is very surprising to see my mindset at that point in time. There was not an iota of negative thought about the yatra. There was only an excitement inside me. 

Another gentleman came and told that I should be reaching Karimala Medu by 7 PM. He also informed that by 6:40 PM we can have Jyothi Darisanam from Karimala Medu. This inspired me. I told if I can bit fasten up, with His Blessings, I can possibly see Jyothi as well. Till then, having Jyothi Darisanam was not in the top of my mind. Every step on the Periya Paathai was exciting for me and Jyothi Darisanam was got, it was more an icing on the cake.

After that I started walking and suddenly sensed that there were no one in the forest apart from me. For around a KM, there were no one before or after me. It was a very wonderful experience. Then I heard that sound 'chachak chachak', I was not sure what it was. It looked like my partially filled water bottle was creating clugging noise. Later i heard the same sound and suddenly decided to stop. I stopped and looked around. The sound was clear, like someone walking on the dryed leaves. When I looked around there some disturbances.

Then it occured to me, it possibly is HIM. Aiyappan was accompanying me, even now a shrill chill runs down my spine when I think about this. I was so happy, so excited, so emotional and He is with me, He is proving that He takes care. This is an experience that comes once a lifetime...! By 6:10 I was in Karimala Medu.

My Jyothi Darisanam was a very different one. I saw it through my heart...! Saw it with my eyes close and ears open. I called home to convey my Guruswami, who was not reachable. I informed the place where 'm and also had the Jyoti Darisanam...!

I've resolved not to make calls home, till I completed the yatra, but this call Aiyappan had done with a purpose, I understood later. Almost at this juncture, was the sad event at Pulmedu. People at home would've been pushed to worry, if the call me from had not landed at the same moment. 

That night I did not have anything to keep as my pillow and no shirt also. I told to myself that Aiyappan who did so many things will take care of this also. The shop keeper helped me me with rolled up matress and a dhoti to cover. I least expected these here and got them with His Blessings. Aiyappan had sent another Holy Soul with me at this point. This Holy Soul slept in the same place and gave me lots of messages. The Holy Soul also accompanied me down from Karimala, next day morning...!

When we reached Periyanavattom, my co swamis were waiting for me, almost in full tears. They seemed to have not slept the night before, wondering what I was doing. I answered the usual way 'Aiyappan takes care'. From there we started our journey to Pampa for the next leg of going to Sannidhanam...!

(To be continued...!)

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 5

On 14th morning when I wokeup around 5 am in Kallidamkunnu (where stones are laid into an small hill) my fellow swamis were deep asleep. I was disturbed bit because, I wanted to start off before the onset of sun. Still, seeing their deep sleep, I did not feel like disturbing them. I went back to sleep and woke up again around 6 am and got ready and by 7 all of them wokeup and had good breakfast and started climbing down.

It was a flat surface for long and there were interesting long winding flat paths. Interestingly, vehicles ply these stretches infrequently. Vehicles like minivan, bikes are seen on and off. After around 6 to 7 hours stretch we reached Mukkizhi Amman Temple. I offered some money to Annadhanam there. The words they told were the ones I was waiting to hear...! They told that all of us should have good Jothi Darisanam and reach Sannidhanam safe and have His Darisanam and reach home safe too. This is in essence apart from many other Blessings we got there, this is what I was waiting to hear and was moved when I heard it.

We enquired about the distance to Karimala from here. People told it is around 8 KM and later few more KM to climb up and few more climb down. The fact remained that no one knew the exact distance, which more looked like His Ploy. There were autos from Mukkizhi to Pampa, and I asked my Guruswamy whether I can reach Pampa by auto, which he vehemently denied. I did not ask him again about the same.

We started walking and after 3 hours, there was no sign of Karimala Aetram. Wherever we ask people told 'Randu Kilometer', irrespective of where you asked from. In between I asked a person whether there will be any Doli or Autorickshaw, which was answered in negative. By this time, other Swamis were restless, since they felt that they would miss out the Jyothi.

Finally a decision was taken, that all but myself will continue their walk in their stride and wait at Periyanavattom and I will join them bit late in my stride. I immediately agreed. I had this scare of my co swamis missing the Jyothi because of me, which is something I cant bear.

I asked them to go and told that I will join them with Aiyappan's Blessings. Almost in a minute they were far from my site...! Then, Aiyappan started giving me the Best Experience of the Yatra...!

(To be continued...!)

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 4

All my system's rigor of being ready to walk the 45 KM or so stretch was forgotten. System needed some straightening and some relaxing. I had a very kind Guruswamy who was good enough to see things in their 'perspective'. He informed, 'Ram, if you want to rest, do rest, but too much of rest will make you stiff and not able walk'. All that was heard by my soul, but not by my mind, which needed some peaceful bending back on the floor.

I almost slept off for ten minutes, when my co-swami woke me up. I got up and started walking again. All this drama within four km from the start, Erumely...! But, nothing of this struck my mind. I was able to think only about one step at a time and rest was Aiyappan's Sittham. I requested Guruswamy to walk before and reach Kalakati and told I will reach behind. Evening around 5 pm, I reached Kalakati, where Guruswamy and others were waiting in a Viri.

We had a small break and I wore my black shirt, due to slow onset of chillness. We went to Kalakati temple and then walked towards Azutha river. I ensured that one pebble was picked up for me, which turned out to be too small. I wasn't sure whether Guruswamy intentionally gave me a small pebble or is it His Wish, since the pebble represents our Karma. It was around 7 pm, when we started the Azutha ascent. It was dark and we climbed with torchlight help this ascent. I definitely thought that Aiyappan had strategically planned the Azutha ascent in dark night, since we wouldn't use our brains to judge the effort and sit back in awe. One step at a time, by 10 PM we were brought to Azutha Medu by Aiyappan.

We placed the pebble on Mahishi's mortal remains and found a Viri to have our dinner and a good night's sleep. It was a peaceful night, with wonderful arrangements and sumptuous food. I did not know what Aiyappan had in store for me the next night atop Karimala...!

(To be continued...!)

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 3

The day on which we four of us, colleagues and friends had our 'irumudi' tied and started off toSabarimala, was a charged one...! There was something inside waiting to over awe me. It was jumping, shivering, reverberating and doing some changes in my system. Every time I changed Saranam, tears rolled out of my eyes, not sure what it signified. Overall it was a state of joy and excitement, which was clear.

We boarded the car and started off. It was a very joyous voyage. It was never a dull, moody travel. Divine songs were played in the car and all of us were in discussion about various Divine Activities. I was talking much about the experiences that He gave me Girivalam, Parvathamalai, Sathuragiri and Velliangiri...!

First visit was on the way was to Samayapuram, where we took Sakthi's Blessings and then to Srirangam where we took Rangan's Blessings too...! Then we set off to Kumuli, via Bodi Met. The route is mountainous and, believe me, it had hair-pin bends every few hundred meters. Early in the morning around four, it was full of mist. With this climate, we reached Erumeli around 7 am, which is approximately 20 hrs of travel.

We had a quick half-hour nap and refreshening next to Vavar Swamy mosque. Then after some sitting in the car and relaxing, system was in full shape ready to take the Yatra. We first went to Vavar Swamy Mosque and then to Dharmasastha temple and later to Aiyappan temple. My dream walk on the elliptical was coming true now. Whatever I had envisaged, Aiyappan was making it a reality. 

We had our breakfast and started the Punya Yatra around 11:30 AM. It was wonderful stretch, flat and neat, just that there were vehicles whizzing around, which we did not want to be around. We took very quick break, more because of me. All this possibly within 2 kms fm Erumeli. After that short break we started walking again and I was forced to sit again by my system, and I slowly lay on my back - while my Guruswamy was watching me...!
 

(To be continued...!)

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 2

Being in IT, the way we think, act and respond all becomes the IT way. Not sure, whether this is right or wrong.So, when Aiyappan got into me when I put on the Thulasi maalai on Dec 12th 2010, I started looking into info on Sabarimala Periya Paathai. Surprisingly few info only got my attention. I was expecting sort of a 'travelogue' on the yatra, which was not there. Statistics on the key locations between Erumeli and Pampa were there, though.

While my soul was flying, singing Aiyappan melodies, the mind was scaring me. My mind asked 'Do you know what you've committed into?' 'Do you what it is to walk the entire stretch of Periya Paathai?' - too many questions, but no answers in me. The Aiyappan in me never gave it an ear. He was happy, kept on telling me 'It is going to be an excellent experience'.

I had enough scanning of Picasa, Flickr, Blogspots, Youtube etc.Ironically, more scanning lead only to more scare to the mind. Meanwhile, in the elliptical m/c I had bought at home, I travelled the Periya Paathai with closed eyes. I envisaged Erumeli, Azutha, Karimalai, Pampa, Neelimalai, Appachimedu, Saramkutthi and Pathinettampadi with Sannidhanam. This was I was having His Darshan every day.

My entire family was probably the 'Aiyappan Way' by chanting Saranams. My Mom was a special one, who ensured that she told all the Saranam that I've recited. Guruswamy also conducted a pooja at home, which was attended by all my key relatives. The Pooja went on well and my Mom felt very relieved with the positive vibes it generated. Earlier she had a health problem, which I felt was more psychosomatic, because of her worry 'How will my son do all this...!?'. When I saw her happy, my mind became calm too...!

Then the news of Aiyappa devotees vehicle ramming came, then the news of bus running into Aiyappa devotees in Erumeli came in. I never had a choice but to generally refer it at home. Inspite of all this, the resolve to do the yatra, did not go down at all...! That's a surprise for me and probably He was getting it done...! 

The day to travel came and everyone knew that we were going to travel by car...!
 

Pranams

Ram

Sabarimala Yatra - Part 1

Namaskarams

It takes lots of energy and enthusiasm to write about a yatra these days. Initial days, there used to lots of euphoria, later the thoughts are more to enjoy the experience than to put into words. I did not want that to happen in this Sabarimala trip.

My first Sabarimala trip was in 2007 with my uncles Shri Vaidhyanathan and Shri Dr Radhakrishnan. It was a random thought and they helped me achieving my wish. But the real trigger for the current visit came after I met the barber. I had to come to normal and went on to remove my beard. The Barber was very curious and asked me whether I had been to Sabarimala, which I had no interest to answer, but casually nodded.

His answer to my casual rather un-interested nod shocked me. He told that he has going to Sabarimala for the past 7 to 8 years in 'Periya Paathai'. From there, his eyes gleamed and he looked to be in blissful state. He told 'Look at me, I'm very happy, Aiyappan is taking care of me well. I do all my duties without fail, taking care of Mom, wife and the young kid'. I was astonished. Barber earning meagre hundreds per day too happy, people earning few thousands per day still yearning for more...!

He did not stop there, he very solemnly requested me 'You should go atleast one time in periya paathai. Every human being should tread the path taken by Aiyappan once in their life time to get the requisite punyam'. That was the time I resolved myself to go for Sabarimala Yatra on 'periya paatha' and applied to Aiyappan for the same.

I never knew Aiyappan's plans and was generally waiting for his call.Then the day came, without my knowledge. My then colleague, sometime in early Dec 2010, who has been going to Sabarimala every month, prompted me to convey my 'dream' to him. When I told him that it was a long time dream to take Sabarimala Yatra, he immediately accepted and told that he was going in Jan 2011 and can add me into their group. All this happened in a jiffy. Nov 2010 I never dreamt I would get this opportunity, Dec 12th 2010, Aiyappan had put the Thulasi Maalai on to me...!

The beauty of the entire initiation was, my colleague is called as Manikandan...! So, Manikandan has invited...! The entire journey was with His Blessings, the first step only was mine, rest were all His. Wait to hear the interesting journey...!

(To be continued...!)

 

Cheers / Ram