A walk to Realizations!!!

Padayatra was one of the pauses in my life, a pause for realizations, a pause to do a reality check and above all a pause to count my blessings and be grateful for it.

Padayatra (Sanskrit, lit.) is a journey by foot. Pada Yatras or ‘Foot pilgrimages’ are religious pilgrimages undertaken towards sacred shrines or pilgrimage sites.

On a funny note when my relatives learned that I was planning for a Padayatra many of them gave the best of the suggestions of the do’s and don’ts, but at the end, almost everyone would say ‘pray for me too’; some even gave money to offer prayers at Parumala. So, accumulating all the energy and enthusiasm of my lifetime my ‘pada-yatra’ started on the 1st of Nov around 6am (started early to avoid tanning ). Usually, people join other padayatra groups who come from different parts of the state, some start a week prior to the dee day (Nov 2nd). They usually come along with loudspeakers chanting the intercessory hymns and songs which truly help you focus your otherwise distracted mind, but since I started at 6 there were none. It was wonderful to walk along and amidst nature, something we Bangaloreans crave for. And Lo! That was my ‘kanji’ yatra (the 1st padayatra is called kanjippe). Having little fun with my cousin who accompanied me, sipping an early morning coffee at a small petty shop everything was enfolding into the most cherishable memories of my life and I straightaway decided that I am gonna do this every year.

It was all very great for the next couple of hours, but the real test began after some time when the scorching SUN was out and my first act of sinning started by cursing my decision to walk from Changanaserry rather than Thiruvalla. Yet I continued with my still endearing spirit to finish the walk. In some time there were people who came out to the streets to distribute light refreshments and trust me they were just a breath of fresh air, especially the sharbat which helps sustain in the sun. There were also churches which served some quick to eat breakfast and lunch beside shelter.

By noon we entered a beautifully built church for lunch. There were people pouring in huge number, yet the church committee and members had some exemplary organizational skills because it’s no joke to manage so many people and the logistics of people who come in with their vehicles. Inside the church, there were people sleeping on just the bare floor, tired and resting so that they gather back enough energy to continue their journey. It did not matter what their financial status was or what designation they held nor how big their houses were, making it to Parumala was the ultimate goal. The church was so full that people were more than happy to find a 5 sq foot space just enough to sit, and when you sit you pause and don’t think about your problems or the turbulence in life, but you are just happy that you are still breathing and intact as one piece.

Ultimately battling all odds which a first timer would surely face I reached the St.Peter’s and St.Paul’s church at Parmula. I had visited the church several times earlier too, but I have never been so happy looking at it this time; extremely happy and fulfilling. Unlike other visits this time my prayers didn’t have anything in specific to ask Thirumeni to pray for, but I was just thankful that he and his Lord (my Lord too) enabled me to accomplish it. It’s an inexpressible feeling when you look at other devotees, some handicapped physically, emotionally and spiritually; you only feel thankful for having a life better off and this indeed is a reality check!

Though padayatra isn’t an easy task as a 1st timer, I am geared up yet again this year to go for it. I would personally suggest all youngsters to take visit the pilgrim center via the padayatra and get a refreshed experience. I would like to conclude by quoting Thirumeni himself: “Prayer is the inspiration of childhood, the refuge of youth and peace during old age” so when the going gets tuff just pause, keep calm and Pray!!!