Blessed to be in RMM

Blessed to be in Rameswaram

The approach to famed Rameswaram is not cluttered. THough roads not wide given the choc-a-bloc stores of all shapes sizes and status on either side but enough to ensure movement with seamless ease. THe traffic movement is minimal the entire day; the pedestrian movement even less. Most movements are of school/college students and those hitting the Madurai trail for replenishing the inventory. Sudh Shakahari Bhojanalaya (food paradise) are dotting the nook and corner of temple town followed by hotels, small and medium make. If that doesn't complete the picture, there are innumerable dharamshalas and others owing allegiance to different mutts, essentially broadening the accommodation availability.

The temple town has a face of its own not necessarily mirroring the sentiments of big centres. Cash would do but with limits. The best reflection when you face an old man or a young lady and the opportunity and the urge to keep clarity in thoughts and mind. No amount of greed would suffice you as no amount of pain and toil would go unnoticed. Most of the day to day accessories can be accessed from stores in vicinity of your house.
With strong historical imprints tracing to the Ramayana period, the temple's template speaks essentially of the spiritual growth that one would be endowed with. The comforting thought being that Lord Shiva's (Ramanatha Swamy)disciples have ample time to stay in the complex , say a prayer or two to the Lord and besiege themselves with thoughts of the all-pervasive power in one of the large identified corners of its precincts. The wide swathes of the temple complex seems to bestow you with a new hymn in the praise of the Lord and how this unshackled link is up and running despite the onslaugths we face in our day to day life. Not being the peak season, the seasonal rush of the masses is missing and providing on a platter the urgency to visit the sanctum sanctorum more than once in a day. You are conferred with the belief that the sighting of the Jyotirlingam was more than what you desired for flanked by the confidence that seeps into your shape of thinking.

When the arduous journey of 16 hrs and counting looked to be one imponderable from which you couldn't free yourself easily, you just had to acknowledge the vehicle driver's efforts in making it to the destination. Well, there weren't many toll centres the Chennai-Madurai route had but the 170 km-long haul was something to bring discrepancy to your thought process. Having reached the designated spot, the worry index seems to shed a point or two with the focus reverting to the age-old issue of accommodation. Some thwart your chances by indulging in doublespeak. But hope was in sight as one mutt was kind enough to accommodate you and your baggage.

The RMM has a charm of its own and the charmed circles have a direct/indirect association with the reigning Lord, most of them being disciples. THe bus fare begins at Rs 2 and the most of the commute can be completed in that range. The tea-enriched moments can be secured for Rs 5 (plastic cups) and the Sun's outing isn't intimidating enough to get your umbrellas out or to quench your thirst you need to settle for umpteenth bottles of water and soft drinks. The thirst is there; it is the thirst to seek oneness with the reigning Lord; to seek compatibility and commitment to the Lord by being good and considerate to others.

With no expectations tailing,you are settled with a life that has been good and gifted one. It's an opportune moment as this spiritual bred centre gives your life a new coating; one to count your blessings and aspire for few and less. But to aspire for none would be placing yourself on a pedestal equivalent to the Lord. Nigh impossible given the undeclared undercurrents we flow with now and then. Hadn't cared to flock to other marvels of the temple town as the temple trajectory/pursuit itself was strong enough to leave you spellbound for long.