My first Sabarimala trip..
It was in 2003 when I first went for Sabarimala pilgrimage . I was inspired by none other than my friend Harish Krishnan who was also a part of this team and connected me with this trip. I was more than happy to go Sabarimala not because I was more devoted to Lord Ayyappa but i just want to experience the trip. As per Hari's direction I started preparing two weeks before eventhough I started my fast 41 days before. The Main concern was to walk without footwear and it was very painful when stones especially the small sharp ones strikes to the bare foot. I was very excited on Thursday morning when I performed "Kettunara" from Mattammal Temple Kocin,and started our trip to Hari's House in Cherthala, Pallippad. I was thinking that the Team will be ready when we reach there and we will start as soon as I reaches there. I was carrying an extra bag with few dresses , then a waterbottle and other brushing and bathing tools.. I found all other swami are busy with their normal works and they were not cared at all about the distance they have to cover in another few days.. I took out the map as usual and said to hari that lets find some shortcut this time. He smiled and said just wait for the start and in the Evening we started our journey.. One after the other Periyaswamis called Sharanam loudly and all the others followed.. It gave an energy to move and never felt tired.Morning to evening from temple to temples having the food from different Aashrams, Pettah dance at Erumeli. all those was new to me. Then we started climbing the Karimala,, And Its really tough.. The big trees and their gaint roots, The blocking rocks, some time I felt the Periyaswami is also demotivated as his way of shouting descents.. But when we find another team coming faster than us the JOSH revamps and finally on Monday we reached Sannidhanam,, The feelings when i realized cant be expressed in words.. It was the best ever Sabarimala trip of my Life
Harish Krishnan lost his life in a helicopter crash on 15 Oct last year
