Aadi Krthikai Paada Yaathraa August 2018 - A Divine Experience

Aadi Krthikai celebrations for Lord Muruga were scheduled for Sunday the 5^th of August, 2018 at the local Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Middletown, Connecticut, USA. About a month before that, Srimathy (Adiyen’s better half) decided to launch a Paada Yaathraa Program ( penance by walking ) for the first time in the temple’s history for Lord Muruga; thus far only “Paada Pradakshinam” around the temple but within the compound had been done; but this time she wanted to conduct it over a two mile stretch outside the temple premises. She was busy as a bee, calling people, arranging for “Kaavadis”(a bow-like apparatus), “Paal Kudams” (milk pots), volunteers for food, town of Middletown Police Department support, constant touch with the temple President, temple Chief Priest, putting together the main LARGE photo of Sri Muruga with Valli Devi and Devasena Devi for the Ratham (chariot), etc. There was much resistance from “some” in the Tamil community and much negativity from various people, but with the staunch support of a “few” she kept marching on with the project – her belief was that Lord Muruga will make things happen if He Wills.

She was SO enthusiastic that a group of six men from Cheshire, CT decided to walk to the temple from their home that is a total of 23 miles. You know enthusiasm can spread rather quickly. Adiyen hence decided to walk from our home in Ellington, CT that would end up being 40 miles. With no exercise at all for about 9 years, the body is not even in reasonable shape and hence the mind was very worried; but didn’t say anything till the last couple days; didn't want anyone talking out of it.

Took Thursday the 2^nd, Friday the 3^rd, Saturday the 4^th and Sunday the 5^th of August off from work and early on the 2^nd, started walking from home in Ellington. 1^st day was 13 miles; 2^nd day was 10 miles; 3^rd day was 15 miles and 4^th day at the temple was 2 miles – making a total of 40 miles. No headphones, no music, no ipod, nothing but the Divine Names of Rishis, Gods, Sidhdhars, Gurus during the walk. It was absolutely blissful.

The following 3 video clips each less than 30 seconds show the progress.

At the temple, the crowd was the largest seen for such a function. Abhishekam was conducted by the Chief Priest Sri Narasimha Ji, with the assistance of other priests. The photo at the top of this post is of the deities Sri Muruga with Sri Valli and Sri Devasena after Abhishekam and Alankaram -- the topmost string of flowers on Lord Muruga is jasmine grown at home and strung by Srimathy. The last leg of the Paada Yaathraa was completed beautifully with signed up ladies carrying the Paal Kudams and signed up men carrying the Kaavadi, all the while chanting Lord Muruga’s Name.

The first photo below shows daughter Sapna on the left, then Srimathy,then Ratham, then bare chested Adiyen on right, followed by a devotee. Son Ajay was not able to make it to the function unfortunately.



 The photo below shows the Padda Yaathraa in progress (Adiyen in center) – SO COLORFUL ! 



 The photo below shows a group of men with Kaavadis.



 The photo below shows a group of ladies with Paal Kudams. 



 The following 8 second video shows Srimathy and Sapna carrying Paal Kudams as people are chanting in the procession.  

And the photo below shows the men that walked from their homes all the way to the temple, partaking of the sacred food ( Prasaadams ) at the temple hall. Clockwise from left: Adiyen, Arun, Ayyasamy, Saravanan, Kalaiarasu, Chandra, Ravi Rajkumar.

 

It was nothing but bliss; after the function, Srimathy received SO many messages thanking for organizing the function in such a grand manner with music, mantras, walks and sumptuous food in plenty. It is Adiyen’s opinion that Lord Muruga WANTED this to happen; He Chose Srimathy along with the volunteers to conduct the mission; rest of us enjoyed the ceremony to our hearts’ content and all of us were blessed. Even You the reader of this post was Chosen by Lord Muruga to get His blessings through this post; for if He doesn’t Will, Nothing Happens !

Vel Vel Muruga !! Vetri Vel Muruga !!