Saturday, January 10, 2009

"This life for us is an endeavor to help people experience and express their divinity. May you know the bliss of the Divine."

Sabarimala

Sabarimala (0929 North 7706 East) is situated in the midst of 18 hills, in a bowl of land blessed with a small rivulet named `Urakuzhi Theertham'. The area is in the hilly regions east of Kerala bordering Tamilnadu. Elevation above mean sea level is approximately 1260 Metres/4135 Ft. Temples existed in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional (and intact temples) exist at many places in surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, Inchiparakotta and Karimala, remnants of old temples are visible in the remaining hills.
From the international airport of Thiruvanathapuram (erstwhile Trivandrum), Sabarimala is located at 010 degrees/115 Kms. Similarly, from the international airport at Kochi (erstwhile Cochin) it is located at 118 degrees/106 Kms. These distances are `direct air distances or distances `as the crow flies'.The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a singular example of a pilgrimage where pilgrims, without consideration of caste, creed, position or social status, go with one mind and one `mantra' dreaming constantly of the darshan of the presiding deity a the Holy Sannidhanam

WEST MAMBALAM AYAPPA SEVA SAMAJAM is the brain child of a group of six enterprising youngsters, devotees of Lord Ayappa, and we visit the temple every year. On one such trip we observed that the pilgrims had to go hungry as there are no hotels in the vicinity of the temple. It was then that the concept of serving the pilgrims by way of Annadhanam came up.
After a lot of thought and looking into the feasibility we decided on putting Annadhanam service into action, thus came the WEST MAMBALAM AYAPPA SEVA SAMAJAM in the year 1991. We had a very humble beginning and we started the Annadhanam on a very small scale with only 10 kgs of rice. As the years rolled by, with the blessings of Lord Ayappan and the kind support of all devotees and friends, we have now grown ten fold.
The Annadhanam is conducted for four days near the foot hills of Karimala (Periyannavattom). With the help of donations by cash and kind (Rice, Vegetables etc.) from devotees and voluntary organisations we are now doing 15 bags of rice.
We are doing this service with a great sense of satisfaction and joy as the saying goes. “A MAN CAN BE FORTUNATE IN MANY WAYS - BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT MAKES HIM MORE FORTUNATE THAN THE OPPORTUNITY HE HAS OF SERVING OTHERS”.

In this Universe, food is the only thing with which human beings feel contented as they can not take more than what is needed. Feeding the needy is a noble cause. This charity of feeding is not only contemporary but in existence from ancient times. The charity of feeding is in existence in India from time immemorial and it could be very well seen from the various epics and historical events.
("Those who gave food gave life")
Our ancient epic "Puranaanooru" insists that those who have provided food for the needy are to be considered having given life to such persons and this exemplary virtue of hospitality is in practice in for the past 2000 years.
"Thirumanthiram" reveals the fact that even a crow while taking food wants to share the food available with other crows and by calling its fellow crows to take part in sharing the available food. From this fact, it is significant that 'Thirumoolar' insists that any one who comes with hunger has to be fed.

'Thirumoolar' further stressed in "Thirumanthiram", that feeding devotees is to be considered as equivalent to feeding the God. In the words of 'Thirumoolar' from ancient time "Annadhanam" is called as Maheswarar Poojai.
"Sekkizhar" who was a renowned scholar in the Chola Kingdom of Anabaya Cholan who has compiled 'Periyapuranam' has narrated that our birth in this earth is fulfilled when we protect the devotees by providing food when they are in need of it. The importance of Maheswarar Pooja is well founded by these saints through their immortal verses.
Feeding the poor is a concept well enshrined in Hindu Dharma.
"Saint Thiruvalluvar" in 'Thirukkural' has insisted that providing food to the hungry people is meaningful in possessing wealth by a noble person.
During Twentieth Century, "Ramalinga Swamigal" ("Arutpragasa Vallalar") has established an institution called “Sathya Gnana Sabai” and started a charity of providing food for all and forever to continue for devotees who visit Vadalur. This charity is being continued here for more than a century without any break. "Ramalinga Swamigal" in his book “Thiruvarutpa” narrates that hunger is a disease.
"A Man can be fortunate in many ways - but there is nothing that makes him more fortunate than the opportunity he has of serving others"
When we serve our Family we are not conscious of how we help it - we must learn to help people who are not our kin - other families , our Village or Home town, our Nation, indeed all Man kind.
I would like to recall the golden Words of our Great Guru His Holiness Paramacharya that:-"We must regard any day on which we fail to do service to others as a day of impurity - by serving our fellow Men - we Serve the Lord"

We humbly request voluntary organisations, ardent devotees and large hearted people to support this Annadhanam in what ever way possible by way of cash or kind.

CONTACTS:

V. SIVAKUMAR

Old No.19/2, New No.36, 1st Floor,

Postal Colony, 2nd Street,

West Mambalam, Chennai – 600 033.

Ph: 9282104882

P.RAMKUMAR

Old No. 57, New No. 66, S.B.I. Colony Extension

Nanganallur, Chennai - 600 061.

Ph: 99940401116

Email id :wm.samajam@gmail.com

A word from the editor: Mental Tolerance Over-rules Physical Endurance....
Mental Instability Crushes Physical Stability...
An Ounce of Hard Work Is worth the Days meal...
“CHARITY COVERETH A MULTITUDE OF SINS”

WE PRAY FOR ONE AND ALL: PROTECTION FROM EVIL
WISDOM TO SHINE
PROSPERITY IN LIFE