The Magic of Krishna!!!

She saw with wide eyes and praying hands  , Guruvaayoorappan just metres away.For a minute ,she closed her eyes and there Krishna danced,his peacock feather swaying ,the naughty glimmer in his eye , his butter smattered lips chuckling and tiny fingers beckoning us to him.But he disappeared running.My mom was awakened from her deep thoughts by the loud voice of the priest telling her to move on.Her heart was content after getting dharshan of Sri Guruvaayoorappan at the Guruvayoor temple. She now walked to the Prasadam counter with her receipt to get a small jar of paalpaayasam that she had promised to the lord.Waiting in the long queue patiently ,the smell of the paalpayasam filled her nostrils.She inched closer to the counter ,where a bare chested priest with a perfect round belly and sacred thread around him was serving hot  paalpayasam from a large copper urulli.My mom reached the counter and presented her receipt.Instead of giving her the payasam in exchange ,to my mother's surprise ,he replied that the order wasn't placed!!!

My mom woke up sweating from her vivid dream. Amma , an ardent devotee of Guruvaayoorappan knew this dream meant something was wrong. She always believed her dreams and they were real. Guruvaayoorappan had his own ways of speaking to his devotees and my mom's was through dreams.

A few months before her dream,she had prayed hard to Krishna and promised him payasam.It was the year when mobiles were not born and international calls were a rarity .Those were the times when our vacations were on alternate years and this was one such year.But Krishna had to be given what he was promised and so did he get it.Amma called my grandmom and requested her to place an order on behalf of her to Krishna.As grandmom couldn't go ,she passed this to my uncle ,who then was a newly married couple on his way to see the Lord.Uncle made the visit all the way to Guruvayoor ,got blessed by the Lord ,placed the order and received the paayasam.Happiness is in sharing the lord's blessings ,so the payasam was shared with everyone around and amma's wish was fulfilled.

Month's later ,Amma narrated her odd dream to Ammamma(grandmom) and explained the lord's dissatisfaction.In reply , Ammamma narrated my uncle's visit to the temple and placing the order for the payasam too.Then what went wrong ?? What was Krishna trying to tell Amma through her dream?? Amma then realized the hidden message in her dream. The message the lord wanted to convey .She asked my Ammamma what payasam they had prayed for. She promptly said " Neiypayasam" .The mystery was solved ! My mom prayed for paalpayasam and instead ,my uncle prayed for neiypayasam ! .Naughty naughty Lord Krishna!! He has his own ways to get his " paal"payasam!! ;) The magic of Krishna!!!The magic of Krishna!!! 

Cry

Sorrow wreaked havoc inside her,
restless as a furious beast,
banging hard on the walls of her heart.
No longer could she suppress it.
Her heart ached,ached hard.
But a consolation there was, in the pain.
Her nerves taut,blood rushed 
through her nimble fingers and delicate face.

Her beautiful eyes turned glassy.
Resisting to fall and blurring her vision,
her tears waited for the right moment.
Her obscure vision ,not a hindrance
to her crystal clear thoughts.
Her gaze as penetrating as the laser beam.
Without batting an eyelid,she reminisced
the moments of the past ,to no avail.
Breaking the bunds,relentlessly they flowed,
the crystal drops of yesterday's woe.
Stop she dared not those,nor wipe away.
She let them flow,till her heart's relief.
The voice of her sorrow screeching inside
incessant her weeping became.
More stronger each second her memories grew,
and lament she had to..

Her endless tears rolling down,
her lips and nose as red as ever.
The trickling tears and her pillow damp.
Not a word ,could she utter.
So choked ,her throat and nose.
Still cried out she,louder and louder.
Her pretty eyes grew tight,
shrinking,wrinkling and red.
Still stopped not she,her lament.
Cried and cried and cried she did,
till the beast in her had died.
She cried till her eyes hurt
and not a drop she could shed.
Not open or close could she ,her eyes,
swollen by the tears she left behind.
But lighter she felt,for the beast was dead.
What remained,just memories of the golden end.

If only....

I swerved my babe to the right slowly ,the little bells hanging on the mirror swayed to the left tinkling .That was Swathi's gift for our 1st love anniversary.She had a reason for gifting me those.The cute chimes always remained together and tinkled only if either of it touched each other,she said we were like the bells and just like them we would be always be together and make noise together. Hahahahah !!! So true!! We were the noisiest couples in our clique.We are always up to something or the other and those memories alone made us the happiest.

I pulled over to the side of the street to get a case of beer.The boys were getting set to celebrate the weekend.As I got close to the car ,I stood still a few steps from my babe admiring her.She stood there in elegance and style.She was a beauty.I patted her black glossy body before getting back in. I placed the beer case on the back seat and got in inhaling the vanilla scent from the car freshener.That's my babe's scent.I got my babe back on the road.She was a delight to drive ,to see the needle moving right as I try to floor the pedals.She never ever ever let me down.That was my babe !! Just like Swathi always there for me.I drove happily with the windows down and the wind blowing on me.My favourite love songs playing in the car and me lip-syncing all the way.

My stomach was grumbling,after the two glasses of whisky from Vicky's house.Wondering if mom made something at home.Balancing the steering wheel on one hand, I dialled home.No one's picked up.So I decided I had to stop by somewhere and get something.As I put the handbrakes and unbuckled my seatbelts ,I noticed a boy and his sister on the street.They were munching on the last few remains of a biscuit given to them.I called them with me and we walked to McDonalds for a snack.Their eyes popped out with wonder and they laughed from their hearts when they set their hands on their burgers and coke.It was Swathi who taught me these little things which meant a lot for others.I clicked a photo of the priceless moment and sent it to her.She was so excited and I got a quick kiss in return.

Now Or Never

I give u one more chance,

Not becuz that I’m so lost.

But baby truly saying,

I really missed u a lot.

Those times I livd my lyf,

Just with u by my side.

Sooo lets give it a try,

Say now or never tonyt.

Say now or never ,now or never ,say now or never.

I dunno whos on d wrong,

V had to just bring it on.

But I know v weren’t ryt.

Sometimes v get into fight,

Dats all so justified,

In relations  defined.

Sooo lets give it a try,

Say now or never tonyt.

Say now or never, now or never ,say now or never.

So many ppl I saw,

Cud find no one so raw.

They were just so unreal,

I swear  I cudn just feel.

Through their painted layers,

I saw a luv so unfair.

Sooo lets give it a try,

Say now or never  tonyt.

Say now or never ,now or never ,say now or never.

I dunno why,

My luv for u died.

But nw I realize,

It was ryt here inside.

I hope u come back,

coz now I know I luvd u like mad!

Sooo  come on lets just  give it a try,

Say now or never tonyt.

Say now or never ,now or never ,say now or never.

Coz now I know I luvd u like mad!

And I’m feeling so bad..

Sooo  come on lets just  give it a try,

Say now or never tonyt.

Say now now or never never never,

Say now or never tonyt... 

A visit to serenity and spirituality -Mookambika Temple

Imagine standing on the top of a hill,breathing in fresh cool air,surrounded by low hills and the mist slowly settling down on you.This is Kodachadri -where serenity and spirituality fills your deprived souls.
The Sri Mookambika Temple is always a part of our family's spiritual itinerary .In fact ,the temple has a special place in the hearts of all Malayalees.

The Sri Mookambika temple is situated in Kollur ,Karnataka.The temple is built adjacent to the 'Souparnika ' river which has its origin at Moolasthaana. History tells us that the godess  has been named so, after she killed the demon 'Mookasura'.The godess also is considered to be a manifestation of 3 godessess -Shakthi,Saraswathi and Mahahlakshmi  and hence the name 'Mooka -Ambika'.This was our fourth time in Mookambika. We reached there in the early hours of May,with a golden reception from the sun.We got refreshed and started our journey.The three main places to visit are :

• The main temple at Kollur
• The Moolasthaana at Kodachadri
• The Sarvangna Peeta at the Kodachadri Peak

Our first visit was to the main temple which housed the great godess Mookambika.
Draped in a gaudy red saree,adorned with jewellery ,surrounded by lamps bathing her in divine golden light ,there she stood in all her splendour.With intense devotion we prayed without batting an eyelid ,revelling in the holiness.The goddess is most beautiful after the evening prayers where she sits in the illumination of just the lighted lamps. The radiating holy light engulfing the darkness around as well as within us .The evening offerings are followed by the distribution of the 'Kashaya theertha' ,prasadam which is known for its medicinal values.Unfortunately ,this time we couldn't stay for the evening prayers.There is a Saraswathi mandapam where people display their god -gifted talents whether its singing ,dancing or an playing an instrument. Vidyaarambam is also done in this very mandapam. Another important event is the 'Rathothsav',where the grand chariot carries the godess every year.Coins are thrown to the devotees during the annual chariot festival and is considered very lucky.We then stepped out ,where a little elephant blessed us just at the entrance of the temple.:) 

The temple has a fascinating history dating back to almost 1200 years.According to the myths, Sankaracharya or Adi Shankara ,travelled all the way from Kerala and meditated in the pristine hills of Kudachaadri(at the Sarvagna Peeta). After years of penance ,Devi presented before him to grant his wish. Shankaracharya requested her to accompany him to Kerala.Devi agreed to his request on one condition.She said she would follow him but he shouldn't turn back. Shankaracharya lead the way,the tinkering of Devi's anklets assuring him she was there.After a few miles,the sound of the anklets ceased.On doubt, Shankaracharya instantly turned to see Devi, standing right there.He had broken the promise and Devi said she wouldn't come any further.But she promised that she would visit her devotees in Kerala everyday between 4 to 5 at Chottanikara temple.It is said that the vigraha of Devi was installed right where  Shankaracharya turned and this is where the temple stands today.Interesting huh?

Next is the most exciting part of our journey.The uphill trekking to the Kodachadri hills.The journey is negotiable only by Jeep. So we hired a Jeep and got ready for the climb.The journey is just some 35 kilometres but the experience is an adrenaline- pumping one!The first few kilometres have a road now (compared to 12 years earlier).The road gives way to narrower paths as we move further up.This time we had to choose a longer path as road construction was going on on the usual route.As the concrete road vanished slowly we were riding over rough and rocky terrain.We travelled along the edge of the slopes with hairpin curves all along the way.We had to hold on to the jeep's hand rails so tightly so that we wouldn't fall of the jeep!! The ride is such a rugged one with branches,stones,rocks and steep slopes.The ride got scarier when another jeep approached us in the opposite direction just at a steep curve!On one side we were looking at a picturesque scene but look down below ,the dearths will take you to a place you never want to be!The drivers manoeuvred the vehicle so tactfully and we were back on track.In between we stopped at a temple where we were served lunch.We resumed our journey and the driver entertained us with a few of his own stories.After that bumpy and rocky ride we finally reached our second destination -the Moolsthaana.

At the Moolasthaana ,there are two temples.You can also see the Iron pillar which according to mythology was used by the Devi to kill Mookasura .It is made of iron but has not rusted over the years! As I had earlier mentioned the origin of Souparnika river is also here.The water trickling through the crevices of the rocks have been collected in a small temple pond .A dip in the divine waters will definitely cleanse you inner selves. The priest and his family also have been staying here for ages.We offered our poojas and geared up for our final destination.

Even though we have been to the Moolasthana before, we never got a chance to  see the Sarvagna Peeta. So this time we were determined to do so.The Sarvagna Peeta is located just 2 kms away from the Moolasthana. The journey has to be made on foot,no jeeps!! 2 Kms may sound easy unless you see the path( or is there a path?).The journey starts with pebbles ,gravel,branches ,roots and some trees.Late we were walking through course sand and a breathtaking view of the hills and the descending mist even in the middle of the afternoon!!The sun disappearing behind the clouds and mist,the grass and shrubs along the path.You definitely will stop a while to take in the beauty of nature and also because just a few kilometres of walking  will leave you panting for breath.'Breath'-taking indeed.But the anxiety to reach the Sarvagna Peeta will give wings to your spirit! I was surprised when middle aged and old people were easily clambering up the slopes.Halfway through, there is a detour which will take you to the Ganesha Caves.The journey continued after a brief visit to the caves.

After a few more metres ,we could see the silhouette of the Saravagna Peeta at a distance.The sun gleaming behind the temple, we hastened our steps to reach our 'destination' .An overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and joy took over us as we had finally made it.The prize off course ,an awe-inspiring view at 1343 metres above sea level(4406 feet Whoa!!) with lush green vegetation , overlapping mountains and a sense of purity,fulfilment,serenity and spirituality . An enlightenment dawns on us making the hassles and frustration subside.Can city life offer you this?

The Saravagna Peeta is a small temple made of stone.This is where Sankaracharya had performed his penance.A priest daily performs pujas here too.We stood there for a while basking in the beauty and rejuvenating ourselves.It was now time to go back as the Jeeps said they would leave in an hour.The trip definitely satiated the barren soul.Returning for now but awaiting another trip back soon to the enchanted Kudachaadri hills....