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...!)
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