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| Photo Courtesy of Mr Rajah |
Yesterday, my family and a handful of devotees celebrated Agathiyar and Lobama's wedding and his Annual Vizha or celebrations. As they trickled in, we began to recite the names of the Siddhas, chant Agathiyar's Nama Japam, or name, and sang songs of praise to him. This was followed by libation to the bronze statue of the couple. The fire pit was lit, and we offered homage to all the Siddhas by reciting their names. Just then, his messengers came through a devotee and took up the rituals from there. There was the garland placed around the neck of the couple, and the wedding solemnised by tying the marital knot - again. Then Lord Muruga came and blessed all those presant thanking us for carrying out the puja for Lord Siva (Agathiyar) and Parvathi (Lobama) on his day of Thaipusam. He told us that he was pleased. This now leaves me no option but to carry out this annual event in the years to come. I had decided some weeks earlier that I would not go ahead with this annual puja, thus ending it too, after taking up Agathiyar's call to end all rituals, worship, and charity, and only retain this annual puja. But as the Gods are pleased, I am obliged to carry it out for others, for Agathiyar told me to do it for a family that came knocking on my door and asked to participate in my home puja. I now understand why Tavayogi built the ashram and temple, too. When I questioned him about why he did that, since he had asked us to come out of Bakti or devotion, and move into the next phase of Gnanam, since the day I met him, he replied that it was not for him but for others. I have come to know my purpose here and my Dharma. So I put out the word to others about our next puja, which is to celebrate Sivarathri that is around the corner.