We'd kicked off from Ettumanoor at a half past 4, this morning and the route taken was the Kottayam-Kumaly highway. Traffic was really sparse(being a Sunday, I guess) and the road was superb all through. Today, also, happens to be my birthday as per the Malayalam calendar and hence, the wishes kept trickling from my family, back home.
The weather was nice and the Volvo bus that has been hired for the purpose was comfortable and roomy. We're 28 in all and the stoppages for meals and beverages were adequately timed and appropriate. But despite the flawless run, we could reach Rameswaram only by a half past 4 in the evening. As we hit the temple town while crossing the Pamban Bridge, I could wistfully remember the numerous anchorings done in the area, while commanding my ship during the Sri Lanka operations, just a nautical mile away seaward.
Our plans to hit the land's edge at Dhanushkodi, on arrival, had to be shelved for the 'morrow as we'd arrived late.
Instead, we went to pay obeisance to Lord Rama at the famous temple - an architectural treat that is famed for its over 1,200 artistic and brightly painted pillar-supported-corridor all around. The temple was built between the twelfth and nineteen centuries. Mythology states that Lord Rama had worshipped Lord Siva before embarking on his famous battle with King Ravana of Lanka, to free his wife, Sita, from captivity.
The highlight of our visit, this evening, was the ritual of 22 baths that a few among us had embarked upon before reaching the sanctum santorum. The amazing characteristics about the twenty two springs - not far from each other, within the temple's sprawling premises of 16 acres and despite their proximity to the sea - are the following:-
(a) has no hint of salinity whatsoever
(b) each spring maintains a distinct, yet different flavour from the other
(c) the guide pours the water on you, drawing from each of the wells housing the springs
with the least amount of fuss!
(d) and finally, it's the responsibility of each individual to towel himself/herself dry and
ensure that the clothes don't drip by wringing them well before presenting themselves
to the deity!
A quaint, yet unique experience! After an evening snack soon after, our group had celebrated my birthday, in style, by having a cake cut. Damn sweet of them and I must say that I was humbled!!
Tailpiece.
I'd lost my pair of slippers at the temple but my aunt had a perfect justification for the mishap. To lose a personal belonging during a visit to the temple indicates that one has been blessed and is a harbinger of better things - perhaps, my having to buy a new pair is what it boils down to!
The weather was nice and the Volvo bus that has been hired for the purpose was comfortable and roomy. We're 28 in all and the stoppages for meals and beverages were adequately timed and appropriate. But despite the flawless run, we could reach Rameswaram only by a half past 4 in the evening. As we hit the temple town while crossing the Pamban Bridge, I could wistfully remember the numerous anchorings done in the area, while commanding my ship during the Sri Lanka operations, just a nautical mile away seaward.
Our plans to hit the land's edge at Dhanushkodi, on arrival, had to be shelved for the 'morrow as we'd arrived late.
Instead, we went to pay obeisance to Lord Rama at the famous temple - an architectural treat that is famed for its over 1,200 artistic and brightly painted pillar-supported-corridor all around. The temple was built between the twelfth and nineteen centuries. Mythology states that Lord Rama had worshipped Lord Siva before embarking on his famous battle with King Ravana of Lanka, to free his wife, Sita, from captivity.
The highlight of our visit, this evening, was the ritual of 22 baths that a few among us had embarked upon before reaching the sanctum santorum. The amazing characteristics about the twenty two springs - not far from each other, within the temple's sprawling premises of 16 acres and despite their proximity to the sea - are the following:-
(a) has no hint of salinity whatsoever
(b) each spring maintains a distinct, yet different flavour from the other
(c) the guide pours the water on you, drawing from each of the wells housing the springs
with the least amount of fuss!
(d) and finally, it's the responsibility of each individual to towel himself/herself dry and
ensure that the clothes don't drip by wringing them well before presenting themselves
to the deity!
A quaint, yet unique experience! After an evening snack soon after, our group had celebrated my birthday, in style, by having a cake cut. Damn sweet of them and I must say that I was humbled!!
Tailpiece.
I'd lost my pair of slippers at the temple but my aunt had a perfect justification for the mishap. To lose a personal belonging during a visit to the temple indicates that one has been blessed and is a harbinger of better things - perhaps, my having to buy a new pair is what it boils down to!
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