On the other day, we planned to take our aged parents for an outing to a temple far away from the city, but not far enough to be tiresome for them. We chose Swarna Kamakshi Temple 108 Shakti Peeta Alayam. As me and my better-half had gone there already, it was easier for us to guide and take our parents with us.
Though my mom wasn’t very fond of travelling around partly because of her health condition and partly because of her mental block, I knew for sure that she may not regret visiting this place. Since she had confined herself to home for many months, we felt that it is high time she got a change and a whiff of fresh air. So we spoke to them both about it. My mom negated as usual, and after my dad suggested that they both go together in a cajoling way, she accepted.
I too wanted my guilt level to come down a bit as we were having so much fun going to places and moving around, whereas my mom was always within the four walls of her home. I was happy and relieved when she agreed to go with us.
We were explaining to them about the temple while we were going in the car. It was only one-and-a-half hour travel from my place. As we were moving away from the city, the ride became a bit bumpy, but the conversation about the temple kept my mom engaged and in a divine state of mind.
The Swarna Kamakshi Temple 108 Shakthi Peeta Alayam was built by Sri La Sri Kamakshi Swamigal aka Sri Guruji at Mangalapuri, Kannanthangal village, Kanchipuram District. According to Devi Bhagavadha Purana by Veda Vyasa, there are108 shakthi peetams around the globe. Fifty two of them are in and around India, some were destroyed in the course of time and others have become inaccessible. As per the divine will of Ambal, Sri Guruji had built this temple for people to get the blessings of all 108 Shakthi Devis at one place.
As we were chatting about the temple and other divine mythical stories, enjoying the village sceneries nearby the road, the temple finally arrived. This temple, located in a remote village at Mangalapuri, is far away from the madding crowd and the huzz buzz of the city. Except for the birds chirping and the cattle’s mooing we weren’t able to hear any other irksome noise.
As soon as we arrived at the destination, we went straight to the restrooms. The one who is not at ease with oneself cannot appreciate the divinity either without or within oneself. So, we were thanking and blessing the management for having such well-maintained restrooms as we used them. Then with clean, calm and curious minds we entered the temple for dharshan.
On entering the big temple, we all felt the divine vibration that had a calming effect on us. My mom was on cloud nine to have got the opportunity to get the dharshan and the divine grace of all 108 Shakthi Devis at one place. I accompanied my mom as she slowly walked around the big temple stopping at each Sannidhan to read the name of the Shakthi Devi and pray to her. Then, we entered the main Sannidhan where the Goddess was decorated beautifully. Her all-encompassing beauty was magnificent, majestic and magnanimous. We offered Her some flowers and fruits which we had got from our place as there aren’t any shops nearby the temple. The temple wasn’t very crowded and we were able to sit near the Sannidhan and have a good dharshan. Elderly people were provided plastic chairs to sit and view the Goddess.
First, the priest did elaborate pooja, then the devotees were given laminated sheets that had shlokas both in Tamil and English. We too got the chance to recite the shlokas along with the priest. After the recitation, they diligently collected the sheets back. They perform special poojas and yagnas on all auspicious important dates, the details of which can be checked in their website.
After having good dharshan of the Goddess we went to the goshala where the cattle were maintained. Then, there was the annadhan hall where they provided free food for the devotees at a particular time. We happened to meet the manager there, who insisted that we stay back and have dinner. But we resisted as we had to reach the city roads before it gets dark, since there aren’t any road lights on the way.
We then got into our vehicle and had our snacks and water we had got from our home, since no shops were nearby. We started on time as planned when the evening light was still there. When we were going back, we could see so many cattle standing in the middle of the roads and asserting that it is their territory. We had to stop and honk and they took their time to move. At one place the cows took quite a bit of time to move, they were scanning our vehicle and were considering whether to give way or not. Then, finally, they made up their mind and gave way for the trivial beings that have come from some faraway place.
We were already going on slowly like a janvasam car and there came a big lorry on the opposite side. Both of us had to stop because of the cows in front of both the vehicles. After a few honking the cows moved away and then the ride was smooth for us on our way back, as that heavy vehicle coming from opposite side had already cleared the way for us. We were thanking the lorry for that and were able to reach the city roads just as the darkness set in, and hence escaped the trouble of having to drive on the lightless roads.
We had good dinner in one of the famous hotels in the city and came home to hit the bed on time. On our way back, my mom expressed how delighted she was to have agreed to go there with us, and that made my day. I had a peaceful sleep with a contended heart that night.
Foot Note – The Temple Website – https://108shakthipeettemple.com/
P.S. Sowmya
