VISITING UTHTHU MALAI SUBRAMANIA SWAMY TEMPLE ON THE NEW YEAR DAY !
(1,2) I should thank God for the constant love and support of many loving people.
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(3) Now I am leading a peaceful life with my mom and my daughter's support.
(4) You may know that I rarely visit a place of worship due to my unique physical nature and my family background.
(5) But on, 01 January 2023, Sunday,
I incidentally happened to visit
UTHTHU MALAI SUBRAMANIA SWAMY
TEMPLE near Seela Naicken Pati, Salem.
(6) Two days ago my adult learner shared his wish to meet me on the NEW YEAR DAY and get my blessings and also suggested to go out for a while.
(7) He called me and around 12.30 pm we went out together in his two-wheeler. I assumed to be back within half-an-half after having a tea in a nearby shop.
(8) But he went on driving on the Shevapet main road and didn't declare the destination. When I asked exactly where he plans to take me, he said in a dejected mood that we will go as far as the bike goes.
(9) We went past the Salem Fire Station and then took a right turn towards Gugai. He proceeded on the deserted GUGAI Trichy Main Road. I was sharing about the nostalgic memories of driving in the busy Gugai Trichy Main Road, a few decades ago.
(10) Finally we reached the end of the road at Seela Naicken Pati By-pass and had tea and snacks on a shop in the highway, near the foothills of Uththu Malai.
part 2 ===
(11,12) En route I told him that I recall taking computer training to some businessman at Pinky Apartments opposite that hill a few decades ago. After I returned home, my mother reminded me that my maternal uncle, TKP Singavelu lived just opposite to this hill. Now he lives in Pune.
[Few years back, he passed away].
(13) I told my adult learner that I had never been to this hill and asked whether we shall go up. He readily took me uphill in his two-wheeler. However, I was a little scared while going in the steep uphill road, holding my walking stick with one hand. But he was an excellent and understanding driver and I managed it.
(14) We reached the top of the hillock. It was a bit cool there, even at 1.30 pm. The road was slopy and I had difficulty in walking. We went near the temple complex. My adult learner removed his footwear and got ready to climb the steps. However, I didn't remove my shoes and was standing there hestitantly.
(15) Then I decided to climb with my shoes. He enquired whether I needed his support to climb the 50-odd steps. But I said I can manage it alone. I was afraid that some EXTREMELY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE may confront me for wearing shoes. Luckily nothing like that happened.
part 3 =-=
(16,17) My adult learner casually commented that an offering in the form of LADDU is being distributed to all devotees.
(18) The temple complex was a big area. But I found that nylon ropes were tied to the poles to restrict the movements of devotees. I understood that on auspicious days, when the crowd is more, they may remove this rope-barricades to accommodate more people.
(19) I didn't try to venture into the marble paved SACRED AREA with my shoes on. I stood about hundred feet from Lord Subramania Swamy and offered my prayers. However, my adult learner went near the Lord and offered his prayers. Then he brought some sacred ash or VIBOOTHEE and I applied it on my fore-head.
(20) I changed my path from the IN-WAY to the OUT-WAY and we both started out of the complex, then we humbly got the prasadam or GOD'S OFFERING, laddu, from a temple staff. I was glad to note that he was dispensing it wearing plastic hand gloves.
part 4 ==
(21,22) Then we got down the steps and we sat near some trees there. There was quite a few visitors coming in four-wheelers and two-wheelers.
(23) I was eager to take photos. It was my first time visit to this temple. But my adult learner was not enthusiastic about my idea. Anyway, I made him to take a few snaps.
(24) MY ADULT LEARNER SHARED SOME OF HIS PERSONAL PROBLEMS. I PATIENTLY LISTENED TO HIM AND GAVE CERTAIN DIRECTIONS.
(25) I BELIEVE IT MAY SOON REVAMP HIS LIFE AND ENABLE HIM TO SUCCEED IN A DRAMATIC WAY. I HOPE LORD SUBRAMANIA SWAMY WILL ALSO GUIDE HIM.
(26) En route back we had another tea and chatted for a while. I reached home late for lunch but had already informed my family that I will be late.
(27) THOUGH A BIT TIRESOME FOR MY BODY, ALL ALONG IT WAS A SOUL-FILLING EXPERIENCE ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY 2023.
Ezhilarasan Venkatachalam Salem
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All paragraphs are numbered for the benefit of my students. An equivalent Tamil [or English] translation version is available. If you need it, please ask / message me.
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