The smile in their lips, the light in their otherwise tired eyes, the unkempt hair, the black dress with the multiple strands of the thulasi mala ... A look of satisfaction ... This could mean only one thing - the devotees just had a darshan of the lord almighty AYAPPA of Sabarimala.
The visit to Sabarimala which requires one to brave the 5-6 KM walk on bare foot over a mountain and then down a valley is one of the most heavily visited places next only to the Haj. The trekking is a killer; the first 3 KM is the real courage tester with real steep slope. And being bare foot you are bound to stamp on some sharp pebbles and thorns. The pain of the journey is generally accompanied by the frustration of having to wait in the long serpentine queue. All this complaints, then what makes the number of pilgrims who visit every year go high by lakhs and lakhs. Maybe I will try explaining my feeling on that question.
This is my third visit to Sabarimala. And the first on a non season month. Season being from November to January mid. The bad walk has been improved over the years with concrete, steps and it's not so dangerous & raw like it used to be. But then it is still a real trekking specially because you are sans your shoes. When we wound ourself and sweat to the bone the feeling is "this is my last visit, no more not me" (Mt first time feeling at least!!!). But after the long walk, the rush and the wait when you get the visual Of AYAPPA Swamy; it makes one forget all the hardship (walking back the steep mountain being one of the yet unfinished hardships). The vision that lasts just few seconds may include god getting bathed in ghee or powdered with bhasmam or plain golden. This vision which stays with each and everyone until their next visit; is the talk of the ayappans (as the pilgrims are called) walking back. Someone once told me that the whole journey and 'the way back' is representation of life. Lets see I put this right - In the way to your goals you would walk difficult terrain, pain yourself and at times feel like giving up. But those who continue on the path with their hardwork get rewarded with the achievement in the goal and the satisfaction of achieving the same. Yeah that's it I guess.
Guys if you Haven't been to Sabarimala... You are missing something. I don't ask which religion are you from nor I ask you for a change. But visit Sabarimala for the experience and the feeling of being a winner in an otherwise compromised life that we live. also gals if you are in between 10 and 50 years you need to wait.
The visit to Sabarimala which requires one to brave the 5-6 KM walk on bare foot over a mountain and then down a valley is one of the most heavily visited places next only to the Haj. The trekking is a killer; the first 3 KM is the real courage tester with real steep slope. And being bare foot you are bound to stamp on some sharp pebbles and thorns. The pain of the journey is generally accompanied by the frustration of having to wait in the long serpentine queue. All this complaints, then what makes the number of pilgrims who visit every year go high by lakhs and lakhs. Maybe I will try explaining my feeling on that question.
This is my third visit to Sabarimala. And the first on a non season month. Season being from November to January mid. The bad walk has been improved over the years with concrete, steps and it's not so dangerous & raw like it used to be. But then it is still a real trekking specially because you are sans your shoes. When we wound ourself and sweat to the bone the feeling is "this is my last visit, no more not me" (Mt first time feeling at least!!!). But after the long walk, the rush and the wait when you get the visual Of AYAPPA Swamy; it makes one forget all the hardship (walking back the steep mountain being one of the yet unfinished hardships). The vision that lasts just few seconds may include god getting bathed in ghee or powdered with bhasmam or plain golden. This vision which stays with each and everyone until their next visit; is the talk of the ayappans (as the pilgrims are called) walking back. Someone once told me that the whole journey and 'the way back' is representation of life. Lets see I put this right - In the way to your goals you would walk difficult terrain, pain yourself and at times feel like giving up. But those who continue on the path with their hardwork get rewarded with the achievement in the goal and the satisfaction of achieving the same. Yeah that's it I guess.
Guys if you Haven't been to Sabarimala... You are missing something. I don't ask which religion are you from nor I ask you for a change. But visit Sabarimala for the experience and the feeling of being a winner in an otherwise compromised life that we live. also gals if you are in between 10 and 50 years you need to wait.
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