Tuesday, January 14, 2014

'Makaram onnu' - The first of the Malayalam month, Makaram.

Today's an auspicious day. It was the confluence of the 'Makar Sankranti', Bihu, Pongal and Milad-un-Nabi.
And today also happens to be a Tuesday which makes it all the more auspicious!

The Sabarimala pilgrimage for the season had peaked this evening with the sighting of the 'Makara Jyothi' at the Ponnambalamedu by the large gathering of devotees at the 'sannidhaanam'. The entire activity was being telecast live for the benefit of the devotees who could witness it within the safe environs of their homes. It's a powerful and charged atmosphere at that point of time that even a pragmatic person like my dad used to stand up, with folded hands, in front of the television set when the 'jyothi' flickered thrice.

It has now been universally accepted that the 'jyothi' is a man made phenomenon. And if that be so, do we require the theatrics? That's a debatable point and I shan't be drawn into any form of discussion on the issue. But it's my firm belief that Lord Ayyappa will continue to have his followers for the years to come, with or without the Makara Jyothi. Period!

This year's unprecedented number of pilgrims reiterate my earlier statement.

Today was also an occasion to catch up with a few of my friends with whom I'm not in regular touch. And Guruvayur, once again, witnessed the great religious amity prevalent out here by the two communities celebrating their sacred day beside one another.


Tailpiece.

There's an ophthalmologist next door and we've been wanting to interact with her beyond announcing our arrival. It was finally possible this afternoon when I'd gone to show my mom who's down with conjunctivitis!


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