Shabarimala- Makara Villaku

All bedtime stories, atleast for a mallu are incomplete without the story of Lord Ayyapa. The story is a fascinating tale of the Lord's journey from his abode to the earthly premises. It makes for a brilliant hearing and is so deeply entrenched atleast with me that I still am fascinated by it. The veracity of the story is something that i cannot ascertain.

Today is the day when the 'Makara Villaku' or the celestial star appears in the hills. If the story of Lord Ayyapa is fascinating the Makara Villaku is even more interesting. At a preordained time -6.30ish i think- on the day of Makara Sankranti a divine light appears in the summit of a hill opposite the temple lights up thrice. It has been happening for ages and continues to this day. Huge crowds to the tune of a million people gather to watch the celestial show. Television channels beam it across the world.

If the Lord Ayyapa story is debatable the truth of 'Makara Villaku' has been debated intensely by the rationalists and the likes. Reports of Devasvom Boards and the Electricity Board conspiring to ensure the light makes an appearanc are heard all the time. Its funny that even the 'atheist' CPM government has steadfastedly refused an investigation into the affair. Quite prudent of them.

My views too somehow concur with the government. Let it be. I do not believe that the light that exists has divine origins, neither do i not believe that it does not. . I am blissfully unaware of the reality of the situation and want to remain so. Faith is a very personal issue. There is the 'villakku' and for a day the lives of more than a million revolve around it. Maybe it is irrational. So be it. The truth is a mystery to the greater public. I aint no one to determine whether the truth needs be examined. Neither do i see any one around who would claim the moral right to do so. Hence let it be.

What i guess matters more is that the temple throws its open its doors to one and all. However the womenfolk between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed. And like a sheep i concur to that too. Yes it is very debatable. Both sides would have relevant points to make. Discriminating on the basis of sex maybe wrong, even worse in a temple that is so liberal. I would hope the wisdom of wiser people let decide what the outcome be. I simply concur because I am unaware of the rights and wrong of the situation, leave it without adding my bit...
"John 8: 7-8
...when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. "

.....and would rather think about the Lord. Relegion is not a bar to enter the temple. All of us for a period of 40 days become Swami's.

My name my age my creed my work.. irrelevant.. I am known as a Swami and so do the scores of other people on their sojourn.The significance of being called a Swami is apparent when one realises that Lord himself is called Swami. Swami Ayyapa. For the period i realise my oneness with the Lord that i am called as such by one and all. Not only me but i realise that everyone around too is a Swami.. a part of the larger celestial being and all of us in unity by small measures bring about the celestial being into existence.

The fact is more higlighted when one reaches the temple and reads the the inscribed words.....Tat Tvam Asi---- 'That Thou Art'