Every month Vallalar Swamis have a big challenge which is to travel near to 300 kms from Thiruvannamalai to Velliangirimalai Mountain were Marudamalai Muruga temple is
and feed many pilgrims that come to the workship of Shiva. Every month they feed from 500 to 800 people.
Behind this temple the hill goes up and it is the path that many Sadhus treck every year to escape from the hot weather and continue their sadhana.
This was my first trip with the Swamis. We arrived to Marudamalai Temple in the middle of the night and pilgrims were dancing to the rythms of really really but I mean really loud drums.
So we found a place to put our bags down in one of the halls and luckly the drums quieted and we could sleep.
The next morning I opened my eyes and everyone was already chopping carrots and tomatoes.
Before lunch we went to Puja to the Temple and all the people gave us a very warm welcome.
After singing Agaval ( Vallalar poetry ) Lunch was served 12 o clock. This was my first time serving food and I was a mess. Actually it is really hard at the beginning to serve food on the floor!
I enjoyed watching with how much love the Swamis were serving enough food for everyone.
The hall was full and empty full and empty many times with all kinds of hungry pilgrims until there were no people waiting outside.
It was also beautiful to meet all the people that contribute with the Swamis for the feeding with no self interest and how much they appreciate their work.
This same night under a big beautiful tree Guruji gave Satsang to a few of us.
It was nice to sit there even though I do not understand Tamil something happens when Guruji speaks my head becomes very silent and I can feel inside for a strange reason happy, still, peaceful.
After SatSang Janagi Swami explained that Guruji was speaking about the true meaning of serving the hungry..” Its not some job to do, it a blessing to enjoy, we are serving Gods people, and we must serve them the same way we would serve ourselves.”
April 14th the Swamis will feed up to 10 000 people on behalf of TAmil New Year! Every one is invited to come!
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