Today is the first day of the Malayalam month of 'Vrushchikam'. To usher in the new month, hectic preparations were witnessed in and around Guruvayur over the last week, as it also marks the beginning of the pilgrimage to the hill shrine of 'Sabarimala'.
The pilgrims - characterised by their black clothing(These days, quite a few have begun wearing saffron clothes too), chanting 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' - arriving from the north, make it a point to add the temple town as one of their important halts before proceeding to their destination. They also visit the temple on return after the 'darshan'.
To ensure a safe and trouble free passage of the pilgrims, resting places - sponsored by philanthropists, irrespective of caste, creed or religion - where free food and toilet facilities are provided, have sprung up at vantage points. This will continue till the 14th of January '15, when the pilgrimage reaches its apogee and then begins to taper.
The early morning atmosphere has religious overtones with the pilgrims' chants, devotional music through the loudspeakers - seemingly placed almost at every nook and corner - with wayside eateries doing brisk business as quite a few of them remain open round the clock!
For a morning walker like me, the empty streets that I used to pass by have now become quite crowded and noisy, by people going to the temple for an early morning tryst with their God. The change is palpable and welcome!
Tailpiece.
I've also begun following the 'Sabarimala' routine from today and will follow it till 'Makaram onnu' coinciding with 14 Jan. But no, I shan't be going for the pilgrimage as I've already completed my 18 visits on the trot...... 'Swami saranam'!
The pilgrims - characterised by their black clothing(These days, quite a few have begun wearing saffron clothes too), chanting 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' - arriving from the north, make it a point to add the temple town as one of their important halts before proceeding to their destination. They also visit the temple on return after the 'darshan'.
To ensure a safe and trouble free passage of the pilgrims, resting places - sponsored by philanthropists, irrespective of caste, creed or religion - where free food and toilet facilities are provided, have sprung up at vantage points. This will continue till the 14th of January '15, when the pilgrimage reaches its apogee and then begins to taper.
The early morning atmosphere has religious overtones with the pilgrims' chants, devotional music through the loudspeakers - seemingly placed almost at every nook and corner - with wayside eateries doing brisk business as quite a few of them remain open round the clock!
For a morning walker like me, the empty streets that I used to pass by have now become quite crowded and noisy, by people going to the temple for an early morning tryst with their God. The change is palpable and welcome!
Tailpiece.
I've also begun following the 'Sabarimala' routine from today and will follow it till 'Makaram onnu' coinciding with 14 Jan. But no, I shan't be going for the pilgrimage as I've already completed my 18 visits on the trot...... 'Swami saranam'!
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