A Y A P P A. Sabarimala

For those who want to see a slide-show Instead

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:37:00 +0000

Ayappas
envoyé par clodreno

Home going. Madurai. Tamil Nadu

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:15:00 +0000

Sri Meenakshi temple Gopuram in the background.
He was securing luggages on the roof of the TATA Sumo, going to Andhra Pradesh

Praying.Madurai. Tamil Nadu

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:12:00 +0000

Later, after I did the pilgrimage to Sabarimala I did find pilgrims coming back from it. They were from Andhra Pradesh and going home were stopping in temples alongside the road. Madurai was one of those stop. taken in the fabulous Meenakshi temple, praying Lord Hanuman.

Going Away. Pampa. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:10:00 +0000

End of the road. Pampa. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:09:00 +0000

Pilgrims are heading toward the bus stand...

Free food. Sabarimala. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:08:00 +0000

At the end of the pilgrimage, pilgrims get free food from the organisation.

Coconuts. Sabarimala. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:07:00 +0000

The pilgrimage is beautifully organized. A lot of policemen and sometime they do need to
relax a bit and drink some fresh coconut.

Artificial legs. Sabarimala. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:05:00 +0000

This man was starting the climb as I was getting down.
He had two artificial legs.

A begger. Sabarimala. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:04:00 +0000

A lot of people going down the mountain after the celebrations. A begger on the path down.

A saddhu. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:00:00 +0000

Going to Sabarimala, one doesn't see a lot of saddhus. I wonder what the reason is. Anyway, I did find one.

Resting Pilgrims. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:59:00 +0000

A lot of pilgrims sleeping all over the place next to the temple.

Palanquins. Sabarimala.

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:58:00 +0000

People having locomotion problems can reach the top of the Mountain where the Temple is using Palanquins.

A colorful rest. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:56:00 +0000

Buying Souvenirs. Sabarimala. Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:55:00 +0000

Offerings. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:53:00 +0000

Temple. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 13:17:00 +0000

.
A view of the golden roofed temple. Sabarimala.
I couldn't shoot an image closer to the temple, it's forbidden.

Waiting. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 13:16:00 +0000

.
An Ayappa without legs waiting in front of the 18 steps to reach the temple.

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:23:00 +0000

.
Pilgrims waiting to enter the temple . They will wait a long time.

Resting. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:21:00 +0000

.
The highlight of the pilgrimage is on the next day, january 14th. ..
Pilgrims are resting everywhere...
a lot of pilgrims...

Fire. sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:19:00 +0000

.
More pilgrims during their rituals..

Lunch.Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:05:00 +0000

You find plenty of places where to have a quick lunch in Sabarimala.
Next to Lord Ayappa is better.

Coconuts. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:48:00 +0000

When they get to the feet of the temple pilgrims brake their coconuts as offering to Lord Ayappa.
then they are burned..

Water Squad. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:46:00 +0000

It's very crowded and also very hot. The pilgrimage is very well organized considering
the huge amount of pilgrims.

Waiting. Sabarimala

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:42:00 +0000

Pilgrims waiting in line to enter the temple.
that day it took 6 hours...

Ouch.

noreply@blogger.com (Claude Renault) — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:36:00 +0000

On the way up a father is curing her daughter who had feet problems on her way up. pilgrims are supposed to walk the mountain barefoot.. I did it that way too.