Little did I know what I was getting into on my trip to Payammal from Irinjalakuda two Sundays ago, 23’rd February to be precise. Having made an aborted attemtp to visit “Shatrugnan Swami” at Payammal earlier, this time I was determined to make it and so I start early for the day. I was later told that a bus going to “Mathilakam” via “Edakkulam” was the one to take and that it would depart at around 8:30 AM. I did as advised and did board the bus on time. I did mention to the conductor to inform me of the “Bus Stop” at Payammal. Thanks to him and a passenger I got off the bus at the right stop. The temple is still a 800m walk to the temple from the bus stop. Had a nice little chat with someone from the bus till the temple (ok, pretty young girl, who happened to be an ex-St.Josephite where I was currently teaching). The temple is the smallest when compared to the temples of the other brothers namely, Lakshmana, Sri Rama and Bharatha (in the order of increasing sizes of the temples) but an important one nevertheless. It is considered very auspicious to visit all four during the “Ramayana” month by noon. I was not looking for a 4-Temple visit but it happened that day, thanks to His Grace. But there were other surprises, read on!
I was on time for the morning Darshan of “Shatrugna Swamy” but just when the “Nada” or the door of main deity was being closed, two people stepped arrived. There was a lady (dressed in white Sari and I should have realized why she was dressed that way) accompanied by someone who I guessed was her son. There seemed to be a “buzz” in the air on their arrival. Within a short while the “Nada” was closed and it was a good decision I did not leave the temple premises when the “Nada” was closed. I had been at the temple for just a short while anyway and didn’t want to leave. After the the doors were opened, I paid another visit inside. Meanwhile I already noticed one person in the temple tell the lady and her son, “I have watched you on T.V…” and I gradually get the feeling she may be a popular figure but I couldn’t figure for what. As we were all leaving the temple I heard them talk about Moozhikulam, Lakshmana‘s temple. It was here I thought I would ask them if I could join them. “Are you going to Moozhikulam?” I asked. “Yes” came the reply from them. “Can I join you?” I asked. “Sure” came the prompt reply. I felt blessed. Their car was emptly anyway and could take another passenger as well.
It was only during the journey and in conversation with the son (whom they were adressing as Jishnu, actual name Uthrajan) that I came to know that his mother Ramadevi who had given birth to quintuplets (4 daughters and a son) and was well known all over the Malayali world. She raised the children single-handedly after the passing away of her husband. All 5 children went to the same school, same class (probably same section too) though now they have varied interests and therefore have qualified for their specialized jobs. The four daughters are all getting married on the same day, same time in April and the best part is that I was being invited too. What an honour!
I only pray the wedding goes well inspite of the Corona virus problem.
We reach Moozhikulam just in time before the temple closed its doors. What another blessing! Two temples down and I was slowly beginning to wonder where we are headed next. I couldn’t believe when I was told they were driving to Guruvayoor via Thriprayar. I asked if I could be dropped at Thriprayar and to which they gladly agreed. My other choice would have been boarding a bus at Mala to IJK. So after the darshan at Thriprayar I would have time to visit Koodalmanickyam and make it a complete “Naalambalam” visit, Wow!
The only gripe was that I reached Thriprayar at noon and the temple “Nada” was closed though I was allowed to sit inside the premises, which was good. So I wait till 4:45 when the doors open, have my darshan of Sri Rama and head back to IJK to visit Koodalmanickyam and there’s my story of visiting all four temples in a day. Was dead tired by the end of day!
P.S – Except Koodalmanickyam men can wear Pants (trousers) at all the other temples. Of course shirts, tees need to be removed at all temples.
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