Went for girivalam for last full moon day.... The last time I went for girivalam was almost five years back, and this time when I reached koyambedu... I couldnt imagine that there will be this much of crowd. People were standing in a long line... that already came almost two folds inside the bus terminus and then also grown outside till the auto stand. I somehow parked my bike in the paid parking and try to get hold of a seat as the bus entered into the CMBT Bus terminus. I know I was not following the line but I didnt have any other option because if I were to stand in the line, then I would get my bus only after 2- 3 hours. Finally I reached to Thiruvannamalai around 3 AM. When I went to front gopuram, I could see the full moon glowing just adjacent to the gopuram.. I was so delighted to see the moon. This moon is always special to me.... With that happy moment I started my girivalam....
At the begining, I was fully charged up and started to walk briskly and were trying to overtake all those who were walking in the street, two things were clear in my mind.. not to think of any other nonsense while walking this holy path and not to stop at any point to sit down or relax.... no matter how tired you are just keep walking... never sit down... these two points were pretty clear.... I didnt want to enter into the ashtalinga temples as I passed the girivalam paathai, because it was all crowded and I wanted to complete the girivalam before the sun comes up hot in the morning...so I kept walking as much as I could when I felt no pain. It was sad to see the entire girivalam has turned out to become so much commercialised, there were full of shops on both sides of the road. There were eateries stall, music cd's stall, tea stalls, corn, peanuts, juices, herbal tea, pain reliever... you name it... the road was also crowded with people that you cannot imagine for. And most of the people were talking all nonsense about real estate, relative stories... etc ... etc...Now I have already not followed the first point of not to think any nonsense but I couldnt restrict myself to feel bad about all this happening around me.
At this moment I had almost walked around some 7-8kms.... and could be around 4:30 or close to 5 AM, I saw just one star on the sky...just one alone..sparkling in middle of nowhere...and as I was watching it, I saw one more star that was moving very quickly and disappeared into the clouds...I was sure I watched it and it was not a meteor but kind of a star that was glowing equally but crossed all of a sudden and disappeared.... thats another wonder of the nature.... and I kept walking ...by this time, I was starting to feel the tiredness and little bit of pain, It was difficult but I know I still have half of my journey to complete....Even though I feel I can walk there was also a unwillingness internally and tempting me to halt for a moment. No I didnt want to stop, so I kept walking.... Some people were tired and gave up in middle and started to sit down, some slept down... some kids still running around... and I was continuing to walk but slowly and steadily. This time I didnt mind if some one walks past me. I just went with my pace.
By the time it was close to 6, there was a smooth beam of light coming from the east, yes the sun is getting ready for his day. I saw this tiny little orange spot after some time, slowly glowing and radiating. Its been a long time since I actually saw this early morning sun. See how lazy my life has gone. but then not to regret at this wonderful moment, I kept walking noticing this wonderful moment of sunrise.... slowly he(sun) was glowing up and changing the colours... I could see the crimson red, steaming orange and pale yellow a mixture of all of this predominantly turning to bright yellow..... It all happened in a matter of less than 10-15 minutes, the sun started glowing up nicely. It was then I realised that I need to walk down 2 more Kilometers to complete the girivalam.
So this one night not even 1 night, just 4 hours, I witnessed this holy moon, and crossing star and this beaming sun.... I felt some internal satisfaction and figured out why the crowd has increased off late.... With this I some how managed to complete my last few kilometers of the girivalam. The last few km were kind of difficult, my feet has already began to ache, but I know I need to finish this up somehow or the other. I could see every one at the stage struggling hard to walk. Some people still gave up at those stage and sat down for rest, but I didnt want to give up. Some poeple who were regulars, were trying to ace it up as normal as anyone could.
This might sound like a philosophical note, but this 14km of walk very much relates to our entire life.... early stages you are all geared up enthusiastic, you walk as quickly, briskly as possible... and in the middle stage.. you find some difficulties, you feel like giving up but you know you still have half more journey to be completed and at the last stage you find it very difficult to keep it going but you know the end is not so far and you still try to go at your own pace and finally you reach your destiny.
P.S: I look forward to go to Thiruvannamalai for the next full moon. I just love this mini spirutual journey.
