tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370711702024-03-08T06:41:21.691+01:00A Y A P P A. SabarimalaThis pilgrimage to Sabarimala, in the mountains of Kerala takes place every year.
They are devotees of Lord Ayappa. They go through a 41 day penance abstaining from sex, meat and intoxicationg drinks before undertaking the trek up the forested mountain chanting the celebrated three words "Samiye, Saranam Ayappa ( Oh lord Ayappa, I come to thee for refuge).
The doors of the temple at Sabarimala are open to everyone irrespective of caste, creed, religion or social status.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-51304338002798956532007-12-14T18:37:00.000+01:002007-12-14T18:45:43.886+01:00For those who want to see a slide-show Instead<div><object width="425" height="335"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/2kurdSnLPpnTYquvR"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/2kurdSnLPpnTYquvR" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="335" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rbrz_ayappas_travel">Ayappas</a></b><br /><i>envoyé par <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/clodreno">clodreno</a></i></div>Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-77528926452189474632006-11-07T14:15:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:16:27.857+01:00Home going. Madurai. Tamil Nadu<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56996598.ayappaleavingMadurai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56996598.ayappaleavingMadurai.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Sri Meenakshi temple Gopuram in the background. <br />He was securing luggages on the roof of the TATA Sumo, going to Andhra PradeshClaude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-28875199659192743242006-11-07T14:12:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:14:59.708+01:00Praying.Madurai. Tamil Nadu<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56996542.hanumanayappaMadurai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56996542.hanumanayappaMadurai.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />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.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-64839348772597278982006-11-07T14:10:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:11:51.416+01:00Going Away. Pampa. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56995045.goingawaysabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56995045.goingawaysabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-82411744975973227212006-11-07T14:09:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:10:25.808+01:00End of the road. Pampa. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56992053.pelerinaroulettessabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56992053.pelerinaroulettessabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Pilgrims are heading toward the bus stand...Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-88636044642034746922006-11-07T14:08:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:09:02.182+01:00Free food. Sabarimala. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56954524.foodendsabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56954524.foodendsabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />At the end of the pilgrimage, pilgrims get free food from the organisation.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-21023116394491079272006-11-07T14:07:00.001+01:002006-11-07T14:07:43.251+01:00Coconuts. Sabarimala. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56954506.drinkpolicesabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56954506.drinkpolicesabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The pilgrimage is beautifully organized. A lot of policemen and sometime they do need to <br />relax a bit and drink some fresh coconut.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-78618027352896841072006-11-07T14:05:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:06:29.688+01:00Artificial legs. Sabarimala. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56952374.prothesesabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56952374.prothesesabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This man was starting the climb as I was getting down. <br />He had two artificial legs.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-76458977078833446272006-11-07T14:04:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:05:05.544+01:00A begger. Sabarimala. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56943221.beggingSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56943221.beggingSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A lot of people going down the mountain after the celebrations. A begger on the path down.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-47002732410423531942006-11-07T14:00:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:02:16.321+01:00A saddhu. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56898388.sadhusabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56898388.sadhusabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Going to Sabarimala, one doesn't see a lot of saddhus. I wonder what the reason is. Anyway, I did find one.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-37960616530021615262006-11-07T13:59:00.000+01:002006-11-07T14:00:35.491+01:00Resting Pilgrims. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56897691.foulesabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56897691.foulesabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A lot of pilgrims sleeping all over the place next to the temple.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-65340149012756660702006-11-07T13:58:00.000+01:002006-11-07T13:59:25.928+01:00Palanquins. Sabarimala.<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56897404.autoSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56897404.autoSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />People having locomotion problems can reach the top of the Mountain where the Temple is using Palanquins.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-47397385722556171522006-11-07T13:56:00.001+01:002006-11-07T13:56:51.233+01:00A colorful rest. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56833383.colorfulrestsabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56833383.colorfulrestsabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-73413572396638823712006-11-07T13:55:00.001+01:002006-11-07T13:55:49.187+01:00Buying Souvenirs. Sabarimala. Kerala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56800864.souvenirssabarimala.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56800864.souvenirssabarimala.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-6529873178577156552006-11-07T13:53:00.001+01:002006-11-07T13:53:58.067+01:00Offerings. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56793668.offeringsSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56793668.offeringsSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-3750531207887851982006-11-05T14:17:00.000+01:002006-11-05T14:18:22.077+01:00Temple. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56793320.letempleenvuesabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56793320.letempleenvuesabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />.<br />A view of the golden roofed temple. Sabarimala.<br />I couldn't shoot an image closer to the temple, it's forbidden.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-62626781130900369492006-11-05T14:16:00.001+01:002006-11-05T14:16:50.984+01:00Waiting. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56793581.water2sabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56793581.water2sabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />.<br />An Ayappa without legs waiting in front of the 18 steps to reach the temple.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-56507557845974944082006-11-04T16:23:00.000+01:002006-11-04T16:24:10.562+01:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56793420.neartempleSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56793420.neartempleSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />.<br />Pilgrims waiting to enter the temple . They will wait a long time.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-80181344776252729062006-11-04T16:21:00.000+01:002006-11-05T14:09:52.078+01:00Resting. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56788939.restingsabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56788939.restingsabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />.<br />The highlight of the pilgrimage is on the next day, january 14th. .. <br />Pilgrims are resting everywhere... <br />a lot of pilgrims...Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-189163765345670472006-11-04T16:19:00.000+01:002006-11-04T16:20:42.541+01:00Fire. sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56787311.firesabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56787311.firesabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />.<br />More pilgrims during their rituals..Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-60342816069666738772006-11-03T18:05:00.000+01:002006-11-03T18:06:38.118+01:00Lunch.Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56787832.foodAyappasabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56787832.foodAyappasabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />You find plenty of places where to have a quick lunch in Sabarimala. <br />Next to Lord Ayappa is better.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-2756777629609227662006-11-03T17:48:00.000+01:002006-11-03T17:49:21.445+01:00Coconuts. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56783173.noixdecocosabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56783173.noixdecocosabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />When they get to the feet of the temple pilgrims brake their coconuts as offering to Lord Ayappa. <br />then they are burned..Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-81259676059380612502006-11-03T17:46:00.000+01:002006-11-03T17:47:41.938+01:00Water Squad. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56783095.watersquadSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56783095.watersquadSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />It's very crowded and also very hot. The pilgrimage is very well organized considering <br />the huge amount of pilgrims.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-70792517979447399132006-11-03T17:42:00.000+01:002006-11-03T17:43:34.981+01:00Waiting. Sabarimala<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56782697.laqueueSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56782697.laqueueSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Pilgrims waiting in line to enter the temple. <br />that day it took 6 hours...Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37071170.post-74682707751126899952006-11-03T17:36:00.000+01:002006-11-03T17:42:04.868+01:00Ouch.<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/1600/56762346.blessureSabarimala.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2370/4525/400/56762346.blessureSabarimala.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />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.Claude Renaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17304245547066439903noreply@blogger.com0