When Bala Chandran and Surendaran Selvaratnam came over to Agathiyar Vanam to participate in the Shivarathri Puja recently, Bala out of the blues asked me if I had Parikaaram or atonement mentioned in my Nadi reading and whether I had done them.
I thought I should post that portion of the Nadi. This was the very first Nadi reading I went for. The year 2002. The Nadi was read in Sivabalan's home in Malaysia by Nadi Guru Sentilkumar of Avinash.
I was asked to perform a pilgrimage to India by Agathiyar in the Nadi reading in 2002. Prior to seeing the nadi I had neither idea nor intention to go to India.
I was to conduct prayers and obligations at Utamar temple, Palur Sani temple, and Tiruvanaikaval temple, all in Trichy according to Karma Parikaara Kaandam.
I had to pray at the five elemental temples of Lord Siva, namely Kalahasti temple in Andhra Pradesh, Egambareswarar temple in Kanchipuram, Nadaraja temple in Chidambaram, Tiruvanaikaval temple in Trichy, and Arunachaleswarer temple, or Annamalaiyaar temple in Tiruvannamalai. I was instructed to go around the sacred hill of Tiruvannamalai during a full moon.
I was also instructed to go to Lord Palani Murugan temple. This was stipulated in the Gnana Kaandam.
Departure
I planned to go in December 2003 for the Kartigai Deepam but opted to go earlier, since the crowd would be tremendous during the Deepam festival. I finally left for India on the 31st August 2003. I was in India from 31st August to 13th September 2003.
I checked in at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 10.30 pm on 31st August 2003. The plane took off at 11.15 pm. Dhanu whom I became acquainted with on board the plane sat beside me and kept me company by talking about his guru, Swami Ramachandra and his master's master (Paramaguru) and his (Ramachandra) mission in Chennai.
Arrival In Chennai
On arrival at Meenambakkam Airport in Chennai, Tamil Naadu, India, Devendran (Deva) - my appointed driver - was waiting on me. He tells me later that Raji was to fetch and accompany me throughout my journey in India but he had taken ill.
Dhaksanamurthy (Murthy), my travel agent in Malaysia, was waiting for my arrival at the Sindoori Hotel in Chennai. He told me Vinayagar Chaturthi, the day I traveled to India, was an auspicious day to travel, as it was customary for Indians to plan travel on this Vinayagar Chaturthi day.
Day 1 - Paying To See Lord Vengadasalapathy
I started the day having breakfast with Murthy opposite the hotel. After exchanging the currency I had brought, and dropping him off at the local bus depot at Egmore, I left for Tirumalai Tirupathi Vengadesa Perumaal temple in Tirupati, Andra Pradesh at 9.30 am.
I reached the Andra Pradesh border at 12 noon. At the border as Deva was getting the papers sorted at the security post to enter the state of Andra, a sadhu walked towards the car and stood by my open window. He began chanting Lord Murugan's name. I gave him some rupees, which he happily accepted and walked back to a tent some distance away. Further up a small group of devotees stopped our car and asked for donations for Vinayagar Chathurthi celebrations. I gave them some rupees too. At the entrance to the foothill of the Tirupathi temple, security guards collected entrance fees before allowing us to drive up to the top of the hill temple.
At 2.30 pm I was at the Varasidhi Vinayagar Temple Shrine at the foothills of Tirumalai. I reached the hilltop temple at 3.10 pm. I paid 1000 Rs for the special passes that Deva purchased to have a darshan of Tirupathy Vengadesa. What happens when you pay is that you cut the existing queue and waiting time. Yet I had to wait in a line for 1 ½ hrs before I had a view of Lord Vengadesa. I was told if you don't pay it could take days to see the Lord. Deva and I started queuing up at 3.30 pm and the Lord’s audience was over at 5 pm. It was a beautiful darshan although only for a few moments.
Kalahasti
I left for Kalahasti, also in Andra Pradesh at 6 pm reaching the hotel at 7.45 pm. After checking in, at 8.15 pm I walked up to the Kalahasti Eeswarer temple which was a short distance from the hotel. Deva accompanied me. I did archana at Lord Siva & Goddess Parvathi’s shrine. This was one of the Pancha Bootha Stalam of Lord Siva that I was asked to visit in the nadi.
Day 2 - Lord Nadaraja Draws Me At Egambareswarar Temple
The next day, 2nd September 2003, I visited the Kalahasti Eeswarer temple again, this time I went alone. I was there from 6 am to 8 am. After some time I wanted to return to the hotel. In the daylight I noticed a flight of steps up a hill behind the temple and a shrine temple at the peak of this hillock. The hunter Vedan Kanappa, one of the Tamil Nayanmars, had paid homage to Lord Siva throughout the night unknowingly throwing down onto the Sivalingam leaves that he plucked off a tree he had perched on for the night. The hotel aid told me this was the spot when a king was driven ashore at the height of the great flood and was the start of humanity.
Tirutani
At 8.15 am I left for Tirutani reaching the Tirutani Murugan temple at 10.20 am. Darshan was only possible at 11.10 am since the temple was closed to the public for a special prayer. Deva accompanied me into the temple grounds. We queued up and waited. I did vilva archana at Lord Murugan’s sanctum.
At 11.50 am I started for the town of Kanchipuram. We reached the town at 1 pm and took a tour of the cottage industries of Kanchipuram witnessing how silk sarees were weaved while waiting for the temples to be reopened to the public. Upon coming out from the shop we realized we had a puncture in the rear tyre of the car. Deva got busy replacing the tyre.
Kanchipuram
Murthy and the local tour agent in India Mahendren came over to my hotel at 4.15 pm to check on how I was faring.
At 5.30 pm I was at the Kanchi Kamatchi temple with Murthy and Mahendren. There was a slight drizzle as we came round the temple grounds. I had a beautiful view of Kamatchi Amman. The goddess was extremely beautiful.
Later Deva and Mahendren dropped me at the Egambareswarar temple. This was another of the Pancha Stalam that I had to visit according to the nadi. The main sanctum was packed with devotees conducting special prayers and as a result was extremely noisy. I had to look for another spot to do my prayers.
As I came round the main sanctum I noticed a huge chamber on the left. As I stopped to have a look , there was a majestic statue of Lord Nadarajah in that chamber. A young priests who stood at its entrance ushered me into the chamber. As I stepped inside, it sensed an entirely different atmosphere. A strong vibration could be felt in this chamber. The young priests went over to Lord Nadarajah and started chanting some verses in sanskrit. I broke down in tears. I cried aloud. I had Lord Nadarajah all to myself then.
I was invited by an elderly couple conducting prayers to Goddess Kali to sit and watch the Abhisegam. I saw Abhisegam for Lord Egambareswarar too. I saw the famed 3000-year-old mango tree now completely hollow but with green leaves sprouting - in the grounds of the temple. I was at this temple from 6 pm to 7 pm.
It was already dark as we I left for Kumara Kottam Murugan temple also in Kanchipuram. There was a marble statue of Ramalinga Adigal here.
Day 3 –Vadalur And Sathya Gnana Sabai
Melmaruvathur Athi Parasakthi
At 5.30 am, on Wednesday, 3rd September, I left for the Melmaruvathur Athi Parasakthi temple. Murthy, had helped build this temple when he was studying in a college in India. He insisted that I visit this temple. I reached the temple at 7.30 am. Deva and Mahendren dropped me at the temple. I was shoved away by the attendants at this temple who only gave me a minute or so at the Goddess’s sanctum.
Satya Gnana Sabai
Then at 7.50 am I left for Vadalur. I reached Satya Gnana Sabai, the temple that Ramalinga Adigal had envisioned and built, at 10.30 am. I had very much wanted to be here. Deva and Mahendren waited on me as I enter the temple. I was told that prayers were only conducted three times a day and lasted half an hour each time. I had to wait for the next prayer between 11.45 am to noon. A priest came into the complex at 11.45 am. He opened the door to the inner sanctum only to expose a black curtain at the doorway. The flame from the camphor was shown to this curtain. I later came to know that all seven curtains in this temple were drawned aside to reveal the light (Jhoti) only during the Thaipusam festival once a year.
Sittivalagam Tirumaligai
I was then driven to Sittivalagam Tirumaligai in Mettukuppam a few kilometers away. Ramalinga Adigal walked into a room in this building and had himself locked in from the outside by his disciples. When the government authorities questioned his disciples of the whereabout’s of the saint and insisted that they be allowed to enter the room, they found the room empty. The saint had disappear into thin air.
Bhuvanagiri And The Birth Place Of Ragavendra Swami
I dropped in at Bhuvanagiri, birthplace of Ragavendra Swami at 2.40 pm. Unfortunately the building was closed for renovation. I managed to steal a peek at the image of the saint through the grilled doorway.
Chidambaram And The Temple Of Thillai Nadarajah
At 3 pm I reached the town of Chidambaram. The temple was closed. We adjourned to the Thillai Kali temple, which was some distance away. After praying at Thillai Kali temple at 4 pm we went back to the Chidambaram temple. Deva and Mahendran dropped me off at the Thillai Nadarajah temple. I was here from 4.40 pm to 6.10pm. I conducted the archana at the Adi Lingam sanctum.
Vaitheeswaram
I continued to Vaitheeswaram where I checked in at a hotel within walking distance from the famed Vaitheeswaran temple. At 7.30 pm I walked to the temple. At 8.40 pm the huge doors to the temple were closed for the day. I returned back to the hotel.
Day 4 - Tiruvengaadu And The Temple Of Buddhan
Thursday, 4th September 2003, I left for the Buthan Temple at Tiruven Kaadu at 6.40 am. Sivabalan, back home, had recommended that I include this temple in my tour of temples. He had directed me the kriyas to do at this temple. I followed his instructions. I dipped in the three tanks, Agni Theertam, Chandra Theertam, and Surya Theertam respectively. Deva stepped into the tanks first to ensure the steps were not slippery and the water was not deep before allowing me to go in. The first two tanks had some water but the last one had practically dried up. I lighted twenty-four ghee lights (Agal Vilakku). I prayed at the main temple of Lord Siva. There was a footprint under a tree in the compound of this temple. There was also a shrine of Lord Siva where I was told Lord Brahma had meditated.
Keelaaperampalam And The Temple Of Kethu
At 9.25 am I left for the Kethu temple at Keelaaperambalam.
Mallava Rishi temple
Later I stopped at Mallava Rishi temple also known as the Pathinathar Temple. Deva accompanied me. There was a shrine for Pathinathar here.
Mayil Aduthurai
At 10.10 am I left for Mayil Aduthurai temple at Mayavaram.
Suryanar Temple
I arrived at the Suryanar temple in Mayil Aduthurai in the scorching heat of the afternoon, at exactly 12 noon. There was a central temple housing the sun god and individual shrines around the main temple for the other eight planets. I had been advised against giving alms to the poor on this pilgrimage by my brother who had the bitter experience of having to ward off large groups of these beggars who turn up once they see a foreigner or visitor giving donations. Siva had particularly mentioned to me to be wary of beggars in the guise of sadhu’s especially at this temple. So taking heed of their advice I left the grounds of the temple speedily when a woman came after me asking for alms followed by a disfigured man. This couple, as if they could read my mind, called out after me, "There is only two of us - please donate". True enough nobody else was around in the immediate grounds of the temple. I dipped my hands into my pockets and handed whatever cash I had then to the lady who happily went away with her partner. Who were they who could read my thoughts?
Tiruvidaimarutur
I made it in the nick of time to pray at Tiruvidaimarutur Amman temple. The Siva temple though was already closed for the afternoon.
Kumbakonam-Swamimalai-Tiruvalanchuli
At 12.50 pm I left for Kumbakonam. I dipped my hands in the famed Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam town. We found our way to Barnabas’s home. They are the parents of Thomas, my neighbor in Malaysia. Deva accompanied me. Mrs. Barnabas greeted us as I introduced myself. She served lunch. Later Mr. Barnabas and another son joined us. I was here from 1.30 pm to 5 pm after which I left for the Adi Kumba Eeshwarar temple. I witnessed prayers conducted for Lord Nadarajah and Goddess Sakthi. I was here from 5.10 pm to 5.50 pm.
We stopped at the Swamimalai Murugan temple from 6.10 pm to 6.40 pm. I rushed up the flight of stairs to get a darshan of Lord Murugan. The temple was packed with devotees. I could hardly see the inner sanctum.
It was night as we continued to Tiruvalanchuli Siva and Vinayagar temples. It was dark except for dim lighting from a sole streetlight at the entrance to the temple. Lord Vinayagar’s statue - Suvetha Vinayagar – I am told is made of sea froth. As I stepped out from the car onto the tar road and made my way in the poorly lite surroundings, my feet sank into the ground, what felt like sand to me, just as at the beach. But there was no sea! Had the sea resided back over the ages?
At 7.20 pm I started for Tanjore and checked in at a hotel.
Breehadeshwarar Temple
7 am, 5th September 2003, I visited the Breehadeshwarar temple in Tanjore. At this Siva temple was a huge statue of a bull (Nandhi) and in the inner sanctum a gigantic lingam where the priests had to stand on raised platforms on either side to perform the libation or abhisegam. Sadly the abhisegam was done behind the veil. Besides the main Siva sanctum there was a shrine for Karuvurar located at the back of the temple. Karuvurar was the architect for this temple and the guru of King Raja Cholan. There was a flight of steps leading up to a shrine of Lord Dhaksanamurthy.
Trichy And My Parikaarams
I was off to Trichy at 9.15 am to perform the parikaaram. On the way, I stopped to watch how pottery was made by the villages on the insistence of Deva. I continued at 11am for the Utamar temple. I reached the temple at 12.50 pm. Deva went in to enquire if there were any priests who could be of assistance in advising me on how to go about doing this parikaaram as the nadi did not stipulate in detail as to what I was to do and offer here. It only mentioned that I had to make a donation to three Brahmin priests at this temple. Then as if God sent, Deva comes back accompanied by a priest willing to help out at this temple and also at the Tiruvanaikaval Siva temple in the town of Trichy. The priest told me we need to get to Tiruvanaikaval temple first and fast before the temple is closed for the afternoon. I made an appointment to come back to the Utamar temple in the evening for the parikaaram.
Day 5 – Guided Tour At Tiruvanaikaval
The priest took me to the Tiruvanaikaval temple. He advised me on what to purchase. He used his contacts at the temple to open doors that were closed. Lord Vinayagar’s chambers was already closed. He called on a caretaker and had it opened for me. He caught hold of an elderly priest to perform the prayers. "You are the want to do the prayer," he said to the Brahmin priest who was squatted at a corner of the temple. He insisted this elderly priest should perform prayers at the main sanctum. I was taken into the main sanctum and shown the lingam which was partially submerged in water. After the prayers, I fell at the feet of the elderly priest. As I picked myself up, I realised all those who followed me had also fell at the priest’s feet following my gesture.
This priest then led us to Lord Dhaksanamurthy’s sanctum and conducted prayers. After the priests left, I broke down at Lord Dhaksanamurthy’s sanctum. I cried aloud here, to the amazement of my new friends. The caretaker of the temple tried to console me. The priest from the Utamar temple said, “Let him be. Let him cry”.
After a while I picked myself up and I adjourned to feed the poor, a cow and an elephant on the advise of the priest who accompanied me from the Utamar temple. I was literally shoved from one shrine to another, by these people performing each prayer to the utmost satisfaction. All these just happened with no prior indications that it would take place.
The priest whom we picked up at Utamar temple insisted that I dropped him off at a location that he chosed. He did not want me to send him back to the Utamar temple saying he had errands to run. After dropping him off and giving him a token of appreciation for his assistance, we drove off. I looked back and realized that we had dropped him off at a Hanuman temple.
At 2.55 pm I was driven to Turaiyur to meet Rendaraja Desigar hoping to be back in time for the prayers at Uttamar temple.
Samayapuram Maari Amman temple
On the way I stopped at Samayapuram Maari Amman temple, reaching the temple at 3.15 pm. Deva accompanied me. The temple was under renovation. The idol of the goddess was replaced with a painting. I deposited a silver foil (Tagadu) in the impression of a pair of eyes that I purchased from the vendors at the temple grounds, into the donation box.
Meeting Rengaraja Desigar Of Ongkaara Kudil
I left for Turaiyur at 3.40 pm hoping to get a darshan and blessings of Rengaraja Desigar Swamigal, founder and patron of the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, at Ongkara Kudil, Turaiyur. I specifically wanted to come here. I reached his ashram at 5 pm. I was welcomed by Nadarajah. On hearing that I was from Malaysia he was overjoyed. He had very high respect for Malaysians. He said, “All these is only possible because of you Malaysians”, pointing to all the structures and facilities put up with donations from Malaysians. I enquired if I could see the Swami. I was told he would be coming in a short while for the evening prayers at 6.30 pm and that I could see him then. While I waited I was served tea.
After a while Nadarajah, tells me Swami was coming over to meet a couple of businessmen. I was given the opportunity to meet the Swami after them. But before that Nadarajah personally took me around to view all the facilities that they had at the ashram which helps feed the poor. As he ended the tour of the office, kitchen, and stores and other related buildings, he gasped aloud to find that the two visitors had left. He hurried me along to a building, praying that Swami should still be around to see me.
And there was Rengaraja Desigar seated alone on the floor in one corner of a small room. There was an aid in attendance standing at the doorway to another room. I entered the room and prostrated in front of the Swami. Deva followed too. Nadarajah introduced me to Swami. Swami talked cheerfully about Kuala Lumpur and enquired from Deva about my arrangement to tour India. I never expected to have an audience with Swami one to one. I asked that he bless me. There was no response to my requests. Fearing he might not have heard me I repeated my request. Finally the Swami replied coming to Ongkara Kudil in itself was a blessing. I did not know how to receive his answer then. Nadarajah invited me to stay overnight but I had to turn it down because of prior arrangements to do parikaaram back at the Utamar temple.
Upon returning back to Malaysia I narrated my visit to Ongkara Kudil and having the audience with Swami to the devotees at Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Dengkil and they were surprised that I was allowed to see Swami that easily and in private. I was told the organization had laid certain rules to restrict the inflow of devotees coming to see Swami, which was taking much of Swami’s time and hindering his meditation. Devotees were required to bring along fruits and flowers that were customary when visiting Swamis and cash of Rs1,000. It did not occur to me to bring these offerings nor did Nadarajah enlighten me on the procedures. I suppose I was destined to meet the Swami.
Utamar temple
I started back to the Utamar temple at 5.45 pm to perform the next parikaaram – prayers to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva and donations to Brahmin priests. Deva accompanied me. Siva told me since I had done harm to Brahmins in my last birth I should ask to do Brahmaharti too at this temple. The priests at Lord Vishnu’s chamber chanted some mantra and splashed some water on my face.
Thinking I needed to do Brahmaharti at Siva’s chamber too, I mentioned to the priests at this chamber only to be told that he had done the Sangkalpa pooja that removes all my previous, present and the future karmas.
Day 6 – Appeasing Saturn
Paalur Navagraha temple
8 am, 6th September 2003, and I am off to Paalur Navagraha temple to perform parikaaram at Sani Bhagavan’s sanctum. Deva accompanied me. The uniqueness of this Navagraha temple is that all the planets are with their consorts here. On enquiring what I should do, the priests asks that I donate sesame oil and silk cloth for the nine planets. At 8.20 am, I am back at Trichy to purchase the said items. I rush back to the temple for the prayers. Abhisegam was done at 10 am.
Sri Rangam Temple
Then I was off to Sri Rangam Temple. It was just as crowded as Lord Vengadesa temple in Tirupati. I could not enter the main chamber to see Lord Ranganathar. I spent some time at the Ambal sannadhi where prayers were going on.
As I was about to get into the car and drive away from Sri Rangam when a holy man with long white beard, long hair that was tied up neatly, and dressed in a white vesti, appeared from out of nowhere, and stood next to the car. He was a fair, merry, and cheerful elderly man. He started blessing me, “You shall be fine”. He spoke fine English and Tamil. I bent to touch his feet, asked if he had eaten and gave him some rupees before I bid farewell to him.
2.10 pm, I start back to the hotel that was in the outskirts of Trichy. From 4 pm to 5 pm, I shopped the streets of Trichy for books.
The Uchipillaiyaar temple
Deva accompanied me as I started my climb up the flight of stairs leading to the Rock Fort where the Uchipillaiyaar temple and Taiyumaana Swami temple is located. The electricity supply was interrupted in certain portions of this Rock Fort temple while I was there. It was an unusual experience though; praying and moving around in the dark. It was a beautiful view from up here. I left for the hotel at 7.30 pm.
Day 7 – Palani And ‘Twilight Zone’
5.30 am, 7th September 2003, I left for Palani a day earlier then scheduled. I reached Palani at 8.50 am. After a brief drive around the hill Deva dropped me off at the entrance to the Tiru Avinankudi temple. I bought prayer items and started up the hill. After taking a few steps I just could not move my legs any longer. They were extremely heavy. The heart was working hard. I was gasping for air. I had to break the climb, stopping every few minutes. I eventually reached the top of the hill. On reaching the top, I was dizzy and had to sit. I dropped my belongings and leaned against the wall of the stalls that were lined up. As I sat there I was sweating profusely on the verge of fainting. The throat was extremely parched and dry. As I opened my eyes all was bright and white. I could hear the crowd and see silhouettes of people moving along.
After some time having regained my composure I continued my way to Lord Palani Andavar’s chambers. I stood in the row to have the darshan of Lord Palani Andavar and did prayers here.
Leaving the Lord’s chambers I followed the devotees ahead of me. That is when I came upon another room where on looking in there were four Brahmin priests. I enquired if it was Bhogar’s samadhi and they nodded. I entered and stood in prayer while one of the priests lighted the camphor and showed the flame. One of the four priests, a young man, reached for a tumbler on top of a closet in the room and handed it to me saying it was abhisegam milk. I drank the milk. I took the opportunity to sit for a while at Bhogar’s chamber as there were no devotees around. Upon opening my eyes I noticed the priest was still there in front of me, this time holding some flowers and vibhuti in his hand. He gave them to me. I took leave thanking him silently.
I came out of Bhogar’s chamber in a daze, not comprehending what had just happened back there. I walked around the temple grounds a couple of times, still in a daze but with a heart that was full, brimming with joy. I finally left the premises and found my way to the car at the foothill at 11 am. I was back at the hotel in Trichy at 2.40 pm.
Day 8 – Revisiting My Roots
8th September 2003, I had a day without any activity as we had covered all there was to see earlier then planned. So Deva suggested I visit my late father’s village Kilsevalpatti in Putukkotthai - Sivagangai district. I started for my father’s village at 7.20 am.
Viralimalai Murugan temple
I stopped at Viralimalai Murugan temple. Here I saw aspectacular sight. I saw flocks of peacock roaming freely in the wild.
Kundrakudi Shanmuganathar temple
8.50 am, I am at Kundrakudi Shanmuganathar temple located on a small hillock.
Pillaiyaar Patti Karpaga Vinayagar temple
11.40am, I am at Pillaiyaar Patti Karpaga Vinayagar temple. Here was one huge statue of Lord Vinayagar carved on the face of a huge boulder that had become a famous temple now.
Kaala Bhairavar temple
12.30 pm, I stopped over at Kaala Bhairavar temple. A very tranquil place.
I left this temple at 1.20 pm for my late fathers village. As we drove down a lane in between rows of houses there was a large gathering in front of a house. We stopped three doors away from the crowd and stepped into a house. An elderly man was seated at a corner. I introduced myself and enquired if he knew my late father. He tells me he was related too and informed me my cousin had passed away last night. The crowd three doors away had gathered for the funeral. As I was on a pilgrimage I could not meet my relatives. I gathered whatever I could from this relative and snapped a few shots of the house my father was born and lived in. I could not enter my father’s childhood home for lunch was been served for the relatives of the deceased. So for some reason I was not allowed to mend or meet up with my relatives in India.
Kumara Vayalur Murugan temple
I returned to Trichy at 4.30 pm and continued to Kumara Vayalur Murugan temple.I was here from 5.30 pm to 6 pm. A huge statue of Kripananda Vaariyaar greeted me upon arrival.
Day 9 – The Pinnacle Of My Journey
6 am, 9th September, I left for Thiruvanaikaval temple again thinking I could take a dip in the tank. But there was hardly any water in the tanks.
Viradeswarar Temple in Tirukovilur
7.15 am, I started for Tiruvannamalai stopping over at Viradeswarar Temple in Tirukovilur at 10.40 am. I continued my journey to Tiruvannamalai 11 am.
Tiruvannamalai temple
I reached Tiruvannamalai temple at 1.15 pm. Deva accompanied me. I was at the temple grounds till 1.50 pm. I had a beautiful darshan, and pretty close one too of Lord Annamalaiyaar and Unna Mulaiyal. I performed prayers here, at the Siva Parvathi Urchavamurthy shrine and at Lord Murugan’s shrine. I saw the patala lingam where Ramana Maharishi had meditated. I left for the hotel at 2.30 pm.
Today was the day where devotees go around Mount Tiruvannamalai. According to the nadi I was to go round this hill on a full moon night. So here I was on the 9th September 2003 in Tiruvannamalai. Full moon started at 10.47 pm and lasted till 10.48 pm the next day (10th September 2003). At 5.30 pm I walked to the temple from the hotel. I joined the long queue to get another darshan of the Lord before embarking on the Girivalam. It was a long queue indeed for I only saw the Lord at 9 pm. At 9.40 pm I started on the Girivalam path finishing back at the temple grounds at 6.30 am on 10th September. I stopped over at the following places of worship:
Tuesday, 9th September
9.45 pm Agni Lingam in the temple grounds
10.40 pm Seshadari ashram, Amman temple, Dhaksanamurthy temple
10.45 pm Kali temple
11.30 pm Ramana ashram
11.40 pm turned back without visiting Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s (Visiri Swami) ashram as it was too far off the Girivalam route
11.55 pm Murugan temple, Sakthi temple, Adi Shankaracharyar Madam, Tank
Wednesday, 10th September
12.10 am Cemetery, Yama Lingam
12.20 am Mrityam Or Jaya Lingam, Ganesar temple
12.35 am Tank, Dhurvasar temple, Nandi temple
12.50 am Tank, Jhoti Vinayagar temple
1.20 am Vallalar temple, Annamalaiyaar temple, Unnamulai temple
1.30 am Anjaneyar temple
1.40 am Palani Andavar temple, Raja Rajeswari temple, Nandi temple
1.50 am Adi Mudi Sidhar Samadhi, Kautamar Rishi temple, Surya Lingam temple, Ramar temple, Varuna Lingam temple, Adi Arunachaleswarer temple
2.45 am Manickavasagar temple, Ganesar temple, Sakthi temple, Sudhananda ashram
3.10 am Vayu Lingam temple
3.20 am Tank, Ramachandra Swami ashram
4.20 am Kubera Lingam temple
4.40 am Eduku Pillaiyaar temple, Panja Muka Darshan temple, Brahma Rishi temple, Esaki temple
5.00 am Arthanathiswarar temple
5.10 am Seenivasa Perumal temple, Cemetery, Ammani Ammal Peedham, Esanya Lingam temple
5.30 am Easanya samadhi, Annamalaiyaar temple
5.55 am Draupadi Amman temple
6 am Durga, Anjaneyar, and Perumal temples
Finally Erathai Vinayagar temple at 6.30 am ending the Girivalam at the eastern gopuram.
I was hoping to come face to face with my guru at this holy event. But I was not destined to meet him until a later date.
Day 10 – A Chance Meeting with Supramania Swami Or Was It Ordained?
After lunch that day at 12 noon I went back to Ramana Maharishi’s ashram and sat at his samadhi. I purchased the tamil parayanam cassettes. Later I left for Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s ashram which I did not get to visit earlier during the girivalam. Unfortunately Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s ashram was closed for lunch.
I then decided to go eight kilometers out of Tiruvannamalai to Deva’s uncle’s home. I was told he was an astrologer.
Deva introduced me to Supramania Swami as a tourist from Malaysia who was there for his daughter’s astrological chart reading. I mentioned my name to the Swami. He immediately took me into his prayer room, lighted the camphor, hovered it in front of all the portraits of the deities in his prayer room, and blessed me.We sat outside the house as he prepared to chart my daughter’s future. But what he actually did was to talk about my future and me.
As we sat there together Swami revealed new happenings that were about to take place in my life. He could tell a number of intimate things about the life and mission I was to face. As he was narrating all this happenings to me I could not help but break down. I cried like a child. I cried for the amount of blessings I had received from god till that very moment. I realized how much god loved me then. Then he surprised me further when he mentioned that I would build a temple right here in India - in Tiruvannamalai; set up a Peedham and that I will have a place here too. I cried aloud again. Supramania SwamiSwami was by now seated up erect, in a meditative (padmasana-tavam) state as those words crept from his lips. I did not ask for clarifications.
He mentioned that he had been going around Mount Tiruvannamalai for the past thirty years now, but could not do it the night before, which was a full moon day, due to ill health.
He mentioned his masters. He had had five gurus. Among them was his own father, Jayaraman Pillai, Pundi Mahan (Atru Swami), Sathanandha Swami, Kolli Malai Swami and Yogi Ramsuratkumar (Visiri Swami).
The Yogi, he said had placed him under ‘house arrest’. He was asked to meditate at the Yogi’s residence for five days. The Yogi had asked Supramania Swami to stay put at his place but later decided that he be with his family. Swami did mention another incident where the Yogi after going into samadhi had appeared and tapped the door of his home at 11 pm one night. Swami woke up to be given a poster of the Yogi himself and the Yogi left laughing. Swami tried to keep up with the Yogi but could not.
When Deva did mention to Swami that it took me nine hours compared to three hours for others to go around Mount Tiru Annamalai (Annamalaiyaar), Swami replied, “Of course it would take that long for he (referring to me) had been stopping over at all the places of worship and ashrams”.
Supramania Swami gave me ‘mantra teecha’ which was the guru upadesa to be recited. He asked that I chant the mantra for half an hour each day till I recite ten million times. “Just as a silversmith polishes his wares we too shall slowly work on IT till we achieve IT”, said Swami.
We had a photography session before I bid farewell to him. As we left his home he stood there, hands together in prayer for me. I in return stood there with my palms in prayer to him too, not knowing what was appropriate for the moment. I just could not believe the amount of love this man had for a total stranger. He was praying for my safe journey. He had ordered Deva to ensure I was safely taken to the airport and boarded the plane back to Malaysia on the 12th September 2003. I left him as night fell over this small village known as Nachaananthal. I reached the hotel at 8 pm.
Day 11 – Returning Home - A Satisfied Pilgrim
Thursday morning, 11th September, I walked to Annamalaiyaar temple at 6.30 am to have HIS ‘darshan’ again. Today there was no crowd any longer. I took my time to pray and look around. I saw abhisegam being performed to Annamalaiyaar’s ‘feet’. I splashed myself with water from the tank (Indra Theertam). A woman was standing alone against the wall opposite Egambareswarar’s sanctum. She indicated by hand gestures that she was hungry. I gave her some rupees and fell at her feet.
I returned to the hotel after breakfast. Deva turned up at 10 am.
Ramana Maharishi’s ashram
I went over to Ramana Maharishi’s ashram to purchase the cassettes; then over to Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s ashram at 10.40 am and sat at his samadhi. No one was around then except for an employee from the ashram who was distributing prasadham at the entrance. It was beautiful here. The calmness away from the hectic atmospheres in most of the major temples that I had visited earlier.
I went over to the Kubera Lingam at 11.30 pm. Deva accompanied me. I left for Chennai at 11.40 am.
Saint Ragavendra’s Brindavan at Vemandhi
On the way I chanced to see Saint Ragavendra’s Brindavan at Vemandhi in Pelakuppam, Tindivanam.
Tiruporur Kandasamy temple
Then I diverted to Tiruporur Kandasamy temple. I was there from 4 pm to 4.30 pm. I reached Chennai at 5.20 pm.
I had planned to see a few more temples in Chennai but it was not important any more. After Tiru Annamalai and the darshan of Supramania Swami nothing was important anymore. That night I ventured out of my hotel. Having nothing to do I dropped in at the Vinayagar temple next to my hotel.
Day 12 – Departure Day
At 5.30 am, 12th September I ventured out of the hotel, going back to the Vinayagara temple. Then I went to the adjacent Vadapalani Murugan temple and a Siva temple. 8 am I was back at the hotel; at 10 am I did some shopping in T Nagar returning to the hotel at 3 pm; at 8 pm I started for the airport. I took the flight back to KLIA Sepang at 12.05 am on 13th September 2003. It was a memorable journey and satisfying trip indeed.