Sabari 2014
Since i started blogging from year 2014, i thought in addition to the regular garden blogs, i can blog on Sabarimala visit too. This was my 8th year of visit to Sabarimala and i was looking forward to this as usual. Got to understand from Guruswami that we had Udayasthamana Pooja (cost of entire day' s pooja will borne by our group) booked and we had just 14 in all going to Sabari this time. Usually we have anywhere between 18-25 members coming with us.
Day 1 (16th Sep) - With the kettunira function completed, we were all set to start the journey with Irumudis and the common luggages we carry for the abhishekams and other poojas. We departed from the place where we had our kettunira function and left to Central station by 6:00 PM. Our train was scheduled for 7:45 PM and our Guruswami being a meticulous person wanted to reach nice and early. Reached the station by around 6:45 PM and after a bit of haggling with porters eventually settled down in the train. The compartment was one of worst i have travelled. It was jerky and squeeky noises and i guess the compartment was the first 3 AC prototype built by ICF. It was a disturbed sleep overall.
Day 2 (17th Sep) - Reaching Kottayam by 8:00 AM, we were picked up by a van (AC van) to reach Samooha Koodam to freshen up. With all morning chores completed we were ready for the first leg of journey to Sabarimala. We had plans to visit Pandhalam template en route. Dharma Sastha was was born in Pandhalam dynasty as Lord Ayyappan and it was worthwhile to see Sastha in aroopam form. It was a typical Kerala temple with low roofings and smallish temples when compared to Tamil Nadu ones. We had a good darshan of Sastha and was keen to have a look at the Thiruvabaranam boxes (the boxes that carry jewels for Lord Ayyappan on Makara Shankaranthi). However we were told that the boxes are open for viewing only during Mandalam times, Vishu and Onam.
After having a good darshan we proceeded to Sabarimala and with September being monsoon months, rain was playing hide and seek. Eventually reached the foothills of Sabarimala around 3:45 and proceeded for 5 KM trek uphill. The Pampa river wasnt in full flow as it usually is during this time but nevertheless it was scenic view. Literally there wasnt any difference in the path to Sannidhanam from last year and i deliberately wanted to go slow thereby giving enough time to chant Ayyappans saranam on the way. Finally reached Sannidhanam by around 5:45 PM and waited for all others to join us before we proceed to take the Holy 18 steps and eventually Lord Ayyappan. Please note that only those who have Irumudis are supposed to climb the Holy 18 steps. Climbing the 18 steps chanting Sarana gosham was a magical experience and the ultimate/pinnacle of the vratham is darshan of Lord Ayyappa. It was a sight to behold and there is no words to describe the experience and the most beautiful idol i have ever seen so far. Took little light on that day after the first darshan and had few more before calling it a day. The thought of having multiple darshans from close quarters due to Udayashtamana pooja was in mind already.
Day 3 (18th Sep) - It was a early rise on this day as lot of work need to be done to get prepared for Udayashtamana pooja and Ashtabishekam (Milk, Ghee, Honey, Tender Coconut water, Panchamirtham, coins , Vibuthi and Sandalwod paste are used for Ashtabishekam). We split ourselves into two batches for witnessing poojas as. Since it was a small group we split equally (7 each) to watch the poojas that majorly happen between 7:30 - 9:00 AM (around 15 of them). We went round and round and had a good solid 8 times of darshan in close quarters and everytime we had a darshan could not help tears rolling). I dont know why but you just become one with god and i just go blank. After receiving prasadam and having a stomach full of that it was time for Ucha pooja which was restricted to just 4 members of the group. My sincere thanks to Guruswami who was gracious to accept me as the part of 4 member group to witness Ucha pooja. Ucha pooja is the last pooja/ritual that is done before they close the doors of Lord Ayyappa for the morning session. After having a great darshan again came back heart filled with joy and happiness that cannot be explained in words and had to agree that this was one of the best darshans i had in the last 8 visits.
Evening we were occupied with performing Deepa Pradakshanam which is customary to do. Fortunately we had Pushpabishekam as well in the evening and as usual split into two groups and carried the flowers which are offered to Lord Ayyappa. I remember a few years earlier that the flowers were spread right from the start of the sanctorium and by the time the flowers are spread you get a feeling that Lord Ayyappa is lying on the flowers. Interesting to note that Lord Ayyappa statue is slightly inclined backwards which can be visualised easily during Pushpabishekam times. Had few more darshans from close quarter and from janta queue as well and came back satisfied back to dorm.
Day 4 (19th Sep) - We had to start very early to trek down to Pampa as we had planned to visit at least one temple before catching the train from Alapuzha @ 4:00 PM. Started from dorm at 5:00 AM sharp and had one last glimpse of Lord Ayyappa before bidding a farewell to him and hoping and praying he gives another opportunity to visit him. Trekking down was little easier due to no rains. The entire group reached Pampa by 8:00 PM and we were set to visit one temple en route. Hunger pangs got us over and stopped for break fast in the roadside shop. First time i had a dish named Kappa (dish made out of baked Tapoica) which has to be eaten with Raw chilli (Kanthari a type of chilli famous in Kerala which is small but very spicy) chutney. It was different and was filling as well.
Getting up early and a good breakfast helped to settle down for a small nap. I was wondering how Guruswami was staying awake as he was constantly checking with temple office on until what time they are open etc. We reached a temple named Mannarsala Nagar temple where Nagar (Snake god) is the main deity. There is a belief that couples who have no offspring if they offer prayers here they will have a child. Could see a fair amount of crowd in well maintained temple. There is a old lady (around 90 years old) who used to stay in this temple until few years back who was believed to be descendent of Nagar.
After a good darshan in Mannarsala, headed straight to Hotel Aryas (our usual place for lunch) for lunch in Alapuzha and reached station well in advance. The train started on dot and Guruswami had arranged for dinner to be delivered at Eranakulam at 6:30 PM. A few chappathis with vegetable kurma and kadala curry made a great dinner and slept like a log until someone was shouting "Avadi Vandachu".
Day 5 (20th Sep) - Back to singara chennai as early as 6:00 AM, we headed straight to Kernel' s house to remove the mala (mala to be removed by Guruswami) and had arrangements made to drop people in vantage places. Got down in Nungambakkam station waving good bye to fellow ayyappans and malikapurams which was tough because we stayed together and it was like one large happy family (akin to hindi movie)
By Lord Ayyappa' s grace and blessings of Guruswami, parents and other well wishers the Sabari 2014 ended very well with lingering memories of Lord Ayyappan' s darshan which stays etched in heart for long. Swami Saranam Ayyappa
Since i started blogging from year 2014, i thought in addition to the regular garden blogs, i can blog on Sabarimala visit too. This was my 8th year of visit to Sabarimala and i was looking forward to this as usual. Got to understand from Guruswami that we had Udayasthamana Pooja (cost of entire day' s pooja will borne by our group) booked and we had just 14 in all going to Sabari this time. Usually we have anywhere between 18-25 members coming with us.
Day 1 (16th Sep) - With the kettunira function completed, we were all set to start the journey with Irumudis and the common luggages we carry for the abhishekams and other poojas. We departed from the place where we had our kettunira function and left to Central station by 6:00 PM. Our train was scheduled for 7:45 PM and our Guruswami being a meticulous person wanted to reach nice and early. Reached the station by around 6:45 PM and after a bit of haggling with porters eventually settled down in the train. The compartment was one of worst i have travelled. It was jerky and squeeky noises and i guess the compartment was the first 3 AC prototype built by ICF. It was a disturbed sleep overall.
Day 2 (17th Sep) - Reaching Kottayam by 8:00 AM, we were picked up by a van (AC van) to reach Samooha Koodam to freshen up. With all morning chores completed we were ready for the first leg of journey to Sabarimala. We had plans to visit Pandhalam template en route. Dharma Sastha was was born in Pandhalam dynasty as Lord Ayyappan and it was worthwhile to see Sastha in aroopam form. It was a typical Kerala temple with low roofings and smallish temples when compared to Tamil Nadu ones. We had a good darshan of Sastha and was keen to have a look at the Thiruvabaranam boxes (the boxes that carry jewels for Lord Ayyappan on Makara Shankaranthi). However we were told that the boxes are open for viewing only during Mandalam times, Vishu and Onam.
After having a good darshan we proceeded to Sabarimala and with September being monsoon months, rain was playing hide and seek. Eventually reached the foothills of Sabarimala around 3:45 and proceeded for 5 KM trek uphill. The Pampa river wasnt in full flow as it usually is during this time but nevertheless it was scenic view. Literally there wasnt any difference in the path to Sannidhanam from last year and i deliberately wanted to go slow thereby giving enough time to chant Ayyappans saranam on the way. Finally reached Sannidhanam by around 5:45 PM and waited for all others to join us before we proceed to take the Holy 18 steps and eventually Lord Ayyappan. Please note that only those who have Irumudis are supposed to climb the Holy 18 steps. Climbing the 18 steps chanting Sarana gosham was a magical experience and the ultimate/pinnacle of the vratham is darshan of Lord Ayyappa. It was a sight to behold and there is no words to describe the experience and the most beautiful idol i have ever seen so far. Took little light on that day after the first darshan and had few more before calling it a day. The thought of having multiple darshans from close quarters due to Udayashtamana pooja was in mind already.
Day 3 (18th Sep) - It was a early rise on this day as lot of work need to be done to get prepared for Udayashtamana pooja and Ashtabishekam (Milk, Ghee, Honey, Tender Coconut water, Panchamirtham, coins , Vibuthi and Sandalwod paste are used for Ashtabishekam). We split ourselves into two batches for witnessing poojas as. Since it was a small group we split equally (7 each) to watch the poojas that majorly happen between 7:30 - 9:00 AM (around 15 of them). We went round and round and had a good solid 8 times of darshan in close quarters and everytime we had a darshan could not help tears rolling). I dont know why but you just become one with god and i just go blank. After receiving prasadam and having a stomach full of that it was time for Ucha pooja which was restricted to just 4 members of the group. My sincere thanks to Guruswami who was gracious to accept me as the part of 4 member group to witness Ucha pooja. Ucha pooja is the last pooja/ritual that is done before they close the doors of Lord Ayyappa for the morning session. After having a great darshan again came back heart filled with joy and happiness that cannot be explained in words and had to agree that this was one of the best darshans i had in the last 8 visits.
Evening we were occupied with performing Deepa Pradakshanam which is customary to do. Fortunately we had Pushpabishekam as well in the evening and as usual split into two groups and carried the flowers which are offered to Lord Ayyappa. I remember a few years earlier that the flowers were spread right from the start of the sanctorium and by the time the flowers are spread you get a feeling that Lord Ayyappa is lying on the flowers. Interesting to note that Lord Ayyappa statue is slightly inclined backwards which can be visualised easily during Pushpabishekam times. Had few more darshans from close quarter and from janta queue as well and came back satisfied back to dorm.
Day 4 (19th Sep) - We had to start very early to trek down to Pampa as we had planned to visit at least one temple before catching the train from Alapuzha @ 4:00 PM. Started from dorm at 5:00 AM sharp and had one last glimpse of Lord Ayyappa before bidding a farewell to him and hoping and praying he gives another opportunity to visit him. Trekking down was little easier due to no rains. The entire group reached Pampa by 8:00 PM and we were set to visit one temple en route. Hunger pangs got us over and stopped for break fast in the roadside shop. First time i had a dish named Kappa (dish made out of baked Tapoica) which has to be eaten with Raw chilli (Kanthari a type of chilli famous in Kerala which is small but very spicy) chutney. It was different and was filling as well.
Getting up early and a good breakfast helped to settle down for a small nap. I was wondering how Guruswami was staying awake as he was constantly checking with temple office on until what time they are open etc. We reached a temple named Mannarsala Nagar temple where Nagar (Snake god) is the main deity. There is a belief that couples who have no offspring if they offer prayers here they will have a child. Could see a fair amount of crowd in well maintained temple. There is a old lady (around 90 years old) who used to stay in this temple until few years back who was believed to be descendent of Nagar.
After a good darshan in Mannarsala, headed straight to Hotel Aryas (our usual place for lunch) for lunch in Alapuzha and reached station well in advance. The train started on dot and Guruswami had arranged for dinner to be delivered at Eranakulam at 6:30 PM. A few chappathis with vegetable kurma and kadala curry made a great dinner and slept like a log until someone was shouting "Avadi Vandachu".
Day 5 (20th Sep) - Back to singara chennai as early as 6:00 AM, we headed straight to Kernel' s house to remove the mala (mala to be removed by Guruswami) and had arrangements made to drop people in vantage places. Got down in Nungambakkam station waving good bye to fellow ayyappans and malikapurams which was tough because we stayed together and it was like one large happy family (akin to hindi movie)
By Lord Ayyappa' s grace and blessings of Guruswami, parents and other well wishers the Sabari 2014 ended very well with lingering memories of Lord Ayyappan' s darshan which stays etched in heart for long. Swami Saranam Ayyappa
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