The Sixth Year Pilgrimage to Sabarimala

This year, I took the mala only around November 19 since I also had a Goa MVP Day Meet. Besides this, there were interesting turn of events all around starting from November 22, thanks to our Crazy Bhoopathy. A few of the interesting turn of events are as follows:

1. Bhoopathy had wild plans like we would rather take our own car so that we can visit any/all shrines en route, waiting or moving at our own fancies. However, considering the acutely bad state of roads besides dangerous ghat sections to negotiate in the pilgrimage, one of our colleague (Selvaraj) strongly was against it. Hence the driving option was dropped.
2. Again, Bhoopathy struck at another marvellous idea. Let us start on November 29. But none of us could afford to travel that time due to leave availability/logistics reasons.
3. The next proposal our friend put forward was that we enrolled on December 5 tour with Sri Devi Karumari Amman travels for which everyone put up a veto unanimously since the next day is December 6 (coinciding with Babri Masjid demolition day). There would be heavy security arrangements in all temples and darshan would not be peaceful at all.
4. We chose to book on December 9th but God declined it this time. Sri Devi Karumari Amman Travels chose to cancel this tour because of underbooking of the cab. Now we had to hunt for alternate travels. The next nearest travel was through 'Sri Dharmasastha Travels' in Burkit Road/T. Nagar. We gave a tentative booking for four over there to start on December 16th.
5. Interestingly this time, Selvaraj and his colleague, who was a Kannisamy could not make up. We hence chose to make out a reservation for him on December 18th with Karumari Amman Travels. Bhoopathy was still placed on doubt by all of us because of his 'wavering mind'.

With all things set, we chose the following for Irumudi. November 13th afternoon, I would take the Irumudi from Thirumal Nagar (Poonamalee) Ayyappa temple.  The subsequent Monday, Selvaraj and his colleague would take the Irumudi from the same temple and proceed to Karumari Amman travels. To avoid undue conflicts, we chose to cancel off the booking paying of cancelation charges and opt for fresh booking for me alone. Interestingly, Bhoopathy vanished into wild till now, without even a proper intimation to us or travel desk.

Our trip this time was still perfect. The following was the schedule:

1. November 13th Afternoon: Irumudi in Thirumal Nagar, Poonamalee temple around 11 AM. Then start off to T. Nagar Travels.  Pilgrimage starts in Deluxe bus around 2000 hours.
2. November 14th:
1. 0430: Samayapuram Mariamman Temple
2. 1330: Madurai Meenakshiamman Temple Gopura Darisanam (Temple closed at 1300 hours)
3. 1730: Chintalakkarai Vekkali Amman Temple (en route Tuticorin)
4. 2000: Thiruchendoor Murugan Temple
5. 2130: Start off to Cape Comorin (Kanniyakumari)
3. November 15th:
1. 0300: Reach Kanniyakumari. Get quick relaxation
2. 0610: Quick watch of Sunrise
3. 0630 to 0730: Darshan of Sri Bhagavathi Amman (Kanniyakumari Amman)
4. 0830: Startoff to Erumeli through Thiruananthapuram after breakfast
5. 1230: Crossing Thiruananthapuram
6. 1700: Reached Erumeli. We had a lot of Kannisamys on board and hence we planned at least two hours for Pettai Thullal and Dharmasastha Darshanam
7. 1930: Starting to Pampa
8. 2130: Reached Pampa. Holy Dip at Pampa. Started the uphill trekking to Sannidhanam around 2200 hours
9. 2300: Reached Saranguthi to hear the Harivarasanam.
10. 2330: Climbed the Holy Ponnu Pathinettam Padi
11. 2345: Disassembled our Irumudi and gathered the Holy Ghee of Neyyabhishekam the next day morning.
12. 2350: I chose to gather the cocunut bits to submit at the Holy Fire (Ney Kundam).
4. November 16:
1. 0400: After waking up and completing the morning rituals, joined the open queue for Sannidhanam from the North gate. The other Swami arranged for the Neyyabhishekam. I missed him out subsequently in the crowd and only to meet him in the bus at Nilakkal around 1130 hours. :)
2. 0450: Had the darshan of Lord Ayyappa after hearing the Suprabhatham whilst in the queue.
3. 0600: Completed purchase of Aravanai and Abhisheka Ney. I was planning to see if I could meet others but it was an insurmountable crowd.
4. 0800: Started to climb down to Pampa and reached around 0915. Took the bus to Nilakkal and reached around 0950.
5. 1030: Reached the bus after briefly searching for it. Met another swami in Nilakkal who helped me locate the bus.
5. November 17:
1. 0300: Reached Palani. After completing morning rituals, we started the uphill trekking and reached the temple.
2. 0800: Came down to bus and after having breakfast boarded the bus
3. 1030: Started from Palani to Srirangam
4. 1730: Reached Srirangam. Had quick darshan
5. 2200: Started to Chennai
6. November 18:
1. 0430: Reached Tambaram

My colleague (Selvaraj) called me while I was in Palani and he was coming down to Pampa after darshan then.

With the grace of the Lord, there was His Good darshan and a peaceful journey throught. Swamiyae Saranam Ayyappa!