I'd started from Chennai at 6.30 AM and reached Pondicherry at 11AM. I started for ashram instantly and was happy to find the darshan timing extending to 12 Noon. So, I started with Manakkula Vinayagar, Nr the ashram. Luckily it was gold car festival in the temple. I chanted Vinayagar agawal while circum-ambulating around the temple. Even before I end, my mind was hijacked by an angel of peace ! I prayed Vigna Vinayaka that my journey ahead should be smooth, sans any hurdles. In retrospect, I think the wave of peace which swept me at that moment , was an answer to my prayer, as this was substantiated in the next 4 days of my travel. A brief history of the temple follows :
Sri Manakula Vinagar Temple
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Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple was in existence before the French came and settled in Pondicherry i.e. before 1666. In 1668 the French after obtaining permission from the English had constructed a Fort adjacent to Manakula Vinayagar Temple. Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple was constructed on the banks of a sandy pond and in view of it only it is called as Manakula Vinayagar Temple. The Jesuits and missionaries tried to demolish. Manakula Vinayagar but they could not demolish the temple. During 1700 French prohibited performing poojas and festivals particularly on Fridays in the temple. All the Hindus who were worshipping Lord Vinayaga objected and migrated to Moratandi English Territory. ...................................................................................................
I reached Ashram next, and as always, my mind was swept completely by the silence prevailing there. I meditated in front of samadhi for awhile, and then moved inside to Mother's temple there. Sadly, I couldn't meditate and absorb the peace any longer, as my empty stomach started signalling . Grrrr, being a human !!
I bought 10 copies of one of my favourite books [ Technology of consciousness ] , so I can distribute .
I should say, AAB rocks. We are all great fans of the sweets and savouries there, but their new restaurent initiative was a big hit too ! Great ambiance, great taste, but probably they have taken the Saravana Bhavan's route in pricing. I just get few small cups of variety rice for a mini meal and its 37/- bucks ! Ahh, it was probably like a banana for an elephant's hunger. So ordered for other stuff, each of them was very delicious . Hail AAB !
I left to Chidambaram now, and reached at 2 PM.
****Chidambaram athirudra abhishekam****
Felt great reaching my birth place and I caught up with my neighbours in sometime. It was very wonderful to know that it was the day of Maha-Abhishekam , when the main deity is brought outside the garbha-graham and an abhishekam performed, treating so many devotees. This is done only thrice per year.
So, I reached the temple at 5 PM and athi rudra homam was being performed for some kalasam's, whose water would be used for abhishekam. I came out and re-entered the temple at 7 PM, and caught up with the abhishekam, lasting for about 4 Hrs. Wat a delight ! The temple was full and I was surrounded by so many people that it felt as if I was tied by a rope, and unable to move. I was joined by my friend's parents , and we spent a good 2 hrs there. We moved to Sivakama Sundari Sannidhi and abishekam to srichakra was being performed there.
I left the parents back home and ran back to the temple at 9.10 PM, to catch last glimpses of the abhishekam and it was pushpanjali. Countless baskets of flowers were being offered to god . Watta sight !
****Chidambaram Thillai Kaali****
We went to thillai kali temple later . Its said that Chidambaram visit would not be complete, if not for darshan in this temple.
A wonderful day comes to an end at 10.20 PM
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