Kundrakudi, a sleepy town deep down South India,
wakes up to the call of the devotees,
reverberates with bhakthi during Karthigai
days between mid November and mid December.
Lord Muruga, as he is familiarly addressed,
reigns supreme atop the hills.
Families go up the hills, climbing 200 steps
to pray, do archanas conduct abhishekams,
The priests do by pouring milk, curd, honey
coconut water, fruit juices, water, each one
for reasons to appease God and secure
the prescribed benefits.
Milk for health, curd blesses one with healthy children,
honey bestows sweet voice and temper, coconut water
wards off greediness, fruit juices extend contentment,
while plain water purifies the soul.
Having accomplished the rituals
they come down, serve food to the
andis connoting to those who have
renounced worldly desires, The lunch
commences with the invocation to Lord,
” Nama Parvathi bhaje hei,
hara hara Mahadeva”
It is how we live associating
the self with the infinity,
looking beyond the mundane,
aiming to merge with the Supreme.
Annadhanam—Offering of food.
Meenas Poems 