Trip to guruyavoor - At the temple

At Trissur we got down and searched for the purchase of ticket for our journey to Guruvayoor. Soon it was located. The train arrived at 5:00 am and we boarded the train. As it was almost empty, we could easily find the seats. At about 6.00 or 6.15 a.m. the train reached Guruvayoor. We hired two rikshas and reached Vishak Hotel. After having a cup of hot coffee, we started getting ready to go to the temple. The hotel receptionist told us to go through the side gate of the hotel which would take us to the temple complex immediately. As we were walking towards the temple we came across the pushkarani (temple pond). It is also called as Rudra theertha.

We did not have a dip in the pond. But we washed our legs and sprinkled the Rudra theertha on our head. After this oblation, we entered the temple premises and looked for the queue for the senior citizens. After much of moving here and there, we could locate it. It was near the Ayyappaswamy sannidhi.



Alas! The gate was locked. On enquiring, we learnt that this queue usually closes by 8.00 a.m. and starts again at 4.00 p.m. In spite of our getting ready to reach this place well in time, God showered the disappointment on us.

Nevertheless, we made a last attempt and found out the person who had the key to the gate. We told him that we were not rightly directed to the place. And thus, though we were well in time in the temple premises, we missed the deadline of 8:00 a.m. He mellowed to our prayers and allowed us through the gate. There we saw the Guruvayoorappan in that gentleman.

The next was a smooth sail. At the sanctum sanctorium, everyone was allotted only 30 seconds divine darshan of lord. As the inside of the garbhagudi, was lit only with the feeble light of oil lamps, I was not able to get the darshan of the lord. With a disappointed heart, I joined my group. I found that the rest were all satisfied with the darshan of the lord.

Here, my brother was lucky! He was able to get a long, uninterrupted view because of a devotee who stood before him did not move inspite of the persistent cry to move.
Later we came out of the temple after collecting prasadam duly paying the appropriate amount. And returned to the Hotel. As we had not had our Breakfast, We decided to have our breakfast before planning further. The time then was 10.00 a.m.