Magicland pilgrimage!

 

 

Every Makar Sankranti day in Kerala marks an annual procession of miracles such that no longer raises eyebrows of the laity at large. After 41 days of austerities, devotees throng the hill shrine of Sabarimala, to pay obeisance to the deity, Lord Ayyappa. The procession carrying a trove of jewels sets off from the Pandalam Palace for the shrine 90 kms away only when a giant eagle appears over the Pandalam temple. Unfailingly, the bird appears every year to keep vigilant company until the parade reaches the shrine. After the Lord has been ornamented, there rises a bright glow from behind the mountains that the faithful hail in vociferous reverence. Faith will remain eternally aglow……