Vetrivel Muruganukku Arohara
We get what we deserve not what we desire: Even if our desires are spiritual or divine. My in-laws wanted to have a tour
of the 6 sacred places of muruga along with my brother-in-law as soon as they
came down to India. Sundar and I planned
that we would join only to Pazhani and Thiruchendur as kids could not miss
school. It was a much awaited trip which my in-laws and specially my brother-in-law looked
forward to. During the fag end of their US stay, Air India goofed up with the
travel dates.
There was big confusion
regarding their return to Bangalore via Mumbai. The tickets from New Jersey
to Mumbai were booked. Unfortunately, the air India officials booked the Mumbai
to Bangalore trip on the very same day as the New-Jersey to Mumbai flight. This
is how efficiently our officials work!!!!. When inquired, they expressed
helplessness and with great difficulty, the New-Jersey to Mumbai trip was
preponed by a day. It turned out that my brother-in-law could not travel on
that day and had to cancel his entire India trip. It was a big disappointment
for us that he could not join us for the trip.
We however, planned to visit Pazhani and Thiruchendur if not all. My in-laws also joined
us for the curtailed trip.Why it all happennded is left to the lord’s own
discretion. Yes, quite disappointing to note that though our want was spiritual
and divine, it was rejected by HIM. Well, HIS ways are mysterious. There may be better reasons that my brother-in-law missed the trip. All is for Good.
Though Vishnu took several avatarams, Shiva is the official destroyer, Muruga is the favourite GOD for most of
the tamilians. Muruga has 6 important
places commonly called as “Aru Padai Veedu”. They are Palanai, Swami malai,
Thiruchendur, Pazhamudir cholai, Thirupara kundram and Thiruthhani. All these
places are extremely sacred to Muruga. One
can find a treasure of information on these, I am giving a glimpse of the same.
Pazhani: Here is where Murugan chose to
reside after he had a rift with his brother over a fruit. Murugan is called Dandayudhapani.
He holds a dandam (stick) in his hand and hence the name. Standing as a young
boy, this idol was made by a siddar named Bhogar. It is made of nava
pashanas and has high medicinal value. The raja alankaram for the lord in
indeed a treat to watch. His twinkling eyes, the majestic posture and the crown
on his head is a picture that will stay in our hearts for a long, long time.
Pazhamudircholai: Muruga, here is along with
two consorts – Valli and devayani. The vibhuti smeared on his face with
red smiling lips increases our love and faith in him. He truly says.” Yamirakka
Bayam Yen” (Why fear when I am here).
Thirupara Kundram. This is the place where Skanda married Devasena
here. He gives his darshan along with his parents, brother, and maama (Lord
Narayana).
Thiruchendur: Here is where Lord killed the demon called soorapadman. The temple is a magnificent one with huge pillars
and pleasing architecture. This temple in located on the sea shore. As the waves hit the shore and recede, it reminds us that happiness and sadness, success and failure
are like waves which keep coming to us and recede. We must be unaffected by them like
the ocean.
We could not visit swamimalai and thiruthani
as they were too far for us and could not make it. One striking aspect that I
noticed is that all temples I visited were very clean. Though all temples were
flooded with people, there were volunteers constantly sweeping and cleaning the
place. This was something I have not seen in Tamilnadu temples, earlier. This
indeed is a good and welcome change.
The two day trip was coming to an end. I
had the opportunity to sing thirupugazh in all the temples we visited. This was
a big blessing for me. Just like how I
saw changes outside, I noticed a change within too. Generally, I have always
wanted to see more and more, wait to re-visit the temples, crib about the regular
grind we would get back to. But this time, I was welcoming the return. I was
ready to get back to the Monday blues. No cribs, No complaints. And NO applications
of favour too, only thanksgiving. All because of GURU anugraham and Murugan’s
grace
RAM RAM
