Sunday, December 8, 2013

The morning sights and sounds of Guruvayur.

I accept that it would be presumptuous on my part to say that what I've witnessed, over the last couple of outings, as the morning sights of this place is the complete picture of Guruvayur @ morning. But in the same breath I must hasten to add that the general picture that I'm gonna etch more or less encompasses the prevalent environment.

I must begin by pinpointing my centrum which is a kilometer and a half from the temple that has contributed to the name of the place. And though it's smack beside highway NH 17, the enduring environmental backdrop has an unmistakable rural hue. The early morning call of the rooster, the chirping of the birds and the dwindling task force of men and women who make their morning forays to milk the cows of the various households seem to be enduring factors.

The workforce, responsible for construction activities are already up with the lark and can be seen having their simple breakfast of either idlis or dosas - and mind you, a large number of them have migrated from the neighbouring Tamilnadu because for them, proverbially, two birds are being killed with a single stone viz. :-

        (a) a satisfactory life that assures them their daily bread and butter.
        (b) their proximity to Guruvayurappan - the ultimate, to whom they can pour out their angst
              without any loss of face.

Many men and women still prefer to have their bath at the ponds - situated within the compounds of the numerous temples that dot the landscape - near their homes and pray to their gods, wearing the wet clothes, before making their way back.

To me, the first impression is that there has been been a time warp in and around this area. The people's steadfast adherence to the traditions and a general 'feel good' ambience make this place unique by itself.

Devotional music and the strains of the 'naadaswaram' rent the air almost continuously, giving it that unmistakable stamp of a vibrant temple town. 


Tailpiece.

The roadside teashops with the 'one-yarder tea' and heated discussions predominantly on politics and other happenings among the regulars, before they set off for their day's routine, dot the landscape making Guruvayur vibrant.

There's a sizeable muslim population in the municipality and the religious amity that exists among the groups is noteworthy.      

  

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