Some things are to be experienced with only your eyes rather than sharing it with everyone as they might not know the significance.
The entire trip to Tiruvannamalai was not planned as it was
Panchakshram’s idea. He was our driver from our previous trip. Although as
a profession he is a driver people move to the side, respect his presence, and we have
become good friends since then.
He mentioned that since I have come at the correct time that I should witness the lighting of the deepam. I mentioned to him that I was not much for crowds. He said "Sir, if you want to come I will take you in comfort and give you the best darshan with no problems." Knowing him I know he will surely follow through.
I had invited
Radhika's cousin to join but because of work related reasons he was unable to attend. So I called Guruswamy even
though he was busy he still honored my request and joined us for the festivities. He told his family to take
care of the necessary pooja on that auspicious day.
We left early in
the morning and arrived at the malai by noon. The traffic was unbelievable as
everyone was going to the same venue. The security was very tight and had a lot of
check points due to terrorist threats. Once we arrived in town because of the heavy
population vehicles were diverted back 2-3 kilometers and we had to walk the rest.
Panchakshram said "don't worry about the police they cannot stop us. I will take you directly in front of the
temple entrance." Even Guruswamy was surprised as the policemen saluted and kept
opening the barricades as our vehicle approached. With some difficulty we
weaved through the public and arrived at our destination.
I have never seen
people like that anywhere where there was no space available as the entire area was occupied wall to wall. The estimated devotees
for the function was 2-3 million. I certainly believe that. The temple was closed off for the general public and only people with passes can manage to get in and even that was a
hassle. We opted out once going inside as there was no way to come out until the
program was over. There were no facilities whatsoever for that crowd.
Panch took us to
his friends place and what a blessing that was because it was absolutely private and quiet. The hosts were not expecting us and went out of their way to accommodate our
needs. It was a blessing that Guruswamy was in that house.
They had prepared
all the food and were waiting to see the jyoti, lighting of the deepam, and
then have prasadam. When Guruswamy asked for a cup of coffee it was only at that
time the gas stove went out. With that dilemma of a guest who has come in the form
of God who is asking for something and we are not able to give what he has asked for what is it that we should do? Without hesitation the payasam was brought over and offered to Guruswamy. He said he would also wait and have it after the jyoti.
With no one around us it was such a beautiful sight to see the malai and temple gopuram from the terrace. The ladies set the atmosphere in
drawing the kolam with all the imaginable decorative lamps while giving the honor to
Guruswamy to light the arati and offer to the lord and saints of the hills. He blessed each
person individually and in sometime he told each of them things that they had
to do for their own well-being.
At that time he
mentioned about me seeing Kanchi Periyavar. Although all of us pray only some people are blessed in seeing the divine. "If it were not for Koushik's
persistence I would not have come. It is all because of him that everything is
happening this way."
Guruswamy
said "I have never experienced anything like this in my life and have
lived in Chennai for almost 75 years. It was extraordinary!!
Sai Ram.
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