As ManiKantan to See ManiKantan

Firstly, a great round of applause to me.... This is a special blog - My 50th .......... :) :) :). Thanks everyone for bearing with me !!

I made my third trip to Sabarimala starting Dec 8, 2009. Sabarimala trips are special because of the procedure involved. In addition to the 40 day fasting and the Irumudi, swamis (Ayyappa pilgrims) carry other specific stuffs too. As Kanni swami (First timer), one should carry a stick called "Saram" to be offered at a place called "Saramkuthi" as you go atop. The second year swamis will carry a sword made of wood to be offered at the same place. And in the third year, the swamis are called "Manikantan" (Mani = Bell, Kantam = Neck) meaning bell in the neck, as they take a small bell tied to their neck and offer it right at the Sannidhanam (Sanctum). This was special. This was my third trip and hence the title :). Btw, Lord Ayyappa is called ManiKantan as He was found on the banks of Pampa with a bell tied around his neck.

This time was a special experience for me, as we started early (at around 08:30) on Dec 8th. The lunch we had at Dindigul needs a special mention. Superb taste and service at Hotel Saravana Bhavan near the bus stand. We reached Erumeli at 20:00. Had Petta Sastha, Dharma Sastha and Vavuru Swami Darshan as usual and started to Pampa at 22:00. We reached Pampa around 23:30. Took a dip at Pampa in the midnight. Great experience!! Luckily, it was not very cold that time :). We started the ascent at 01:00 on Dec 9th. Reached the top to join a the tail of a 2 km Q :). It was a worthy 8 hr wait and at 09:30 we had the Darshan. Ayyappa, greeted us with His Ghee Abhishekam posture :). Felt happy and tied the bell in the Sannidhanam :) Legend has it that, anyone having this bell at home will get a baby boy. So normally people will snatch the bell even before it's tied. But luckily for me, one swami said he will wait till I tie and then he grabbed it and ran away :)
This time though, we did a lot of moral policing in the Q. We saw people with Irumudi on their head smoking, people running and jumping the Q et all. I think, Sabarimala pilgrimage is all about control and patience. If someone lacks any of these virtues, they are better of not undergoing this rather than spoiling the sanctity of this Holy thing. Well, my personal opinion!!

We had two more darshans of Ayyappa and one of the Malikapuram and started the descent. I had a severe cold and the cetrizine I had in the morning compunded with lack of sleep the whole of previous night made be very drowsy and it was extremely difficult to climb down. In addition to this, the sun was shining bright (no doubt, it will at 13:00 :)) and hence it was hot. It was Ayyappa, who helped me climb down as always :) Well, as said during our moral policing act, we even shouted at some instances and perhaps Ayyappa thought we needed a lesson on patience :) We climbed down safely by 15:00 of course after having our regular Kappa Kanji :)

Of we went to Pattanamthitta, where we took bath in a river around 17:00. Great refreshment and then we reached Kulathupuzha around 20:15 and the darshan was closed for the day. We stayed in the temple mantapam for the second consecutive year :) Had a great sleep.
The opening of the sanctum woke us up at 04:30 on Dec 10th. Had darshan of Kulathupuzha Balakan at 06:00. Of to Ariyankavu and AchanKovil and reached Kuttralam at 12:00. With little funda from Anand and Prasad had the time of my life in a water fall. Went to the 5 falls and it was JUST GREAT. We even had a massage with hibiscus oil and bathed. Of course, all of us got sc***ed with severe cold after that!! Of to Palani to see my favourite God, Subramanya. Special winch and special darshan ticket hepled us to have darshan of the special God in less than an hour :). We left Palani at 21:00 and reached Hosur on Dec 11, 04:30. Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa!!

This trip is special for one more reason too. After I came back, I went to Trichy and on Dec 20, 2009 - Sunday - something memorable happened which most of you would know :D. Well, I need to change my relationship status to "committed" from "single" in many places!!!
Cheers!!