anjali makaram 2011

I came to Sabarimala
about 12 years ago. Back in
1998, I was not very much a
believer. Having influence of
youthful energy, I was only
beginning to get interested in
our culture, Bhakti etc.
I came to Sabarimala
because I had a “Swapna
Darshan”.. I myself was shocked
to see, “a devan riding a tiger”. I
was unaware of such a Devan,
and I enquired. I have heard
about Sabarimala. But then I
was not aware of such an
image of Swamy Ayyappan.
Then I came to Sabari
mala. It was the experience
of a life time. From that time
onwards I have been coming
here every year. I am proud
to say that I am the
Guruswamy of over 15-20
Ayyappas from Bollywood
to Sabarimala. We have
Muslims, Christians, Hindus
and from last 2 years we
even have 2 Parsi Ayyappas
coming with me to
Sabarimala every year.
Sabarimala is a symbol
of India’s secularism, seeing
spirituality in all religions,
respecting all paths towards
god. As I told last year, after
Mumbai Attacks, where
ever I go to speak, I speak
about Sabarimala Swamy
Ayyappa as I believe he is an
KHNA - 2011
Anjali January
31