I after waiting for more than 38 days decided to go to Kanchipuram for the Athivaradar darshan. It was decided that a week day, preferably in the middle of the week would be an idle choice as it would result in lesser crowd. Also, we were told that its better to be in the queue during the middle of the day rather than going very early in the morning.
We chose a Wednesday and started to Kanchipuram in a hired cab. After reaching Wallajabad, we started facing the traffic bottlenecks and diversions to accommodate the surging incoming traffic in to Kanchipuram. We were asked to be stopped but our experienced driver managed to sneak us through up to VIP entrance point. We got down and thanked our stars that we were not stopped at Wallajabad which is a good 15 kms before Kanchipuram.
The real struggle started the moment we joined the queue. There was no one to advise the crowd. We started in the queue at the fag end but saw many casually walking past us to join the queue in the front. Naturally, as agitated, we asked a Policeman why it is happening. He coolly said, you also please walk up to the front and join the queue. First learning, the queue system for dharma darshan has no sanctity. Its free for all till you cross the first 500 meters or so.
So, we also walked some 300 Mts and managed to join the queue. But it is really pathetic when we heard that those people were standing from 7.30 am in the morning, while we landed at 12.30 past noon. Anyways, we thanked our stars praising ourselves that we managed to save at least 5 hours by making this smart move forward.
As in any public religious activity, the crowds are unbelievable. This is just the beginning of the queue to get closer to the entrance to the temple. But there is no proper communication and no one knows how long will it take to move closer to the temple. Rumors were flying thick and fast and there were news like a death within the temple etc. , It turned out that actually a devotee has passed away inside the temple.
We were pushed and pulled in all directions inside a barricaded area. Every row would have anywhere between 15-20 people and with no space to move or bend. From 1 pm this comedy show continued for another 3 hours. Yes, 180 minutes of constantly being pushed and pulled. I don't know how people manage to live in such peace and calm while they were in the queue. While inside the queue, tempers frayed multiple times for people near us but quickly got extinguished because nobody is doing anything to anybody intentionally. It was sheer madness to be in the queue.
I for some reason was really maintaining my calmness for the major part of the first 180 minutes. We did have discussions among ourselves, should we continue standing in this queue or get out and go back home? We convinced ourselves that this is just a temporary one and once we move closer to the temple, it will be a smooth ride.
We were moving forward at a snail pace, literally like 10 meters every 30 minutes are so. We could see the Gopuram from a distance and we thought once we go closer to the gopuram, we will be gliding smoothly. After waiting patiently for 180 minutes, we had covered a distance of 350 meters. Yes, it took 180 minutes! Towards the end of this agony filled 3 hours, I started cursing myself as well as started chiding her saying she didn't enquire properly.
Then from a barricaded area we were led in to an open shed where there are blocks manned by Policemen. You have to move from one block to another as a group. It looked like a much easier thing to do. But we again had our self doubts and gave another bout of curses to my wife. To her credit she maintained composure and said we can leave if I find it tough. I thought about it and believed that we have already endured 3 hours of agony and may be another 3 hours, we can see the deity in full glory.
So, we continued to move from one block to another and typically it takes 10 minutes to move from one block to another. The first shed we entered had around 12 blocks and it approximately took almost 2 hours. Then we were put on to the second open air shed, which had 15 blocks are so. But luckily, we cleared the second block much faster than the first. In another 60 minutes we are on the way to the temple. The ecstasy knew no bounds and we were under the impression that another 60 minutes we should be done with the darshan. Mind you, we were already in the queue for more than 6 hours now.
When we reached the East Mada Street, to enter the queue, we had to walk another 500 meters and again people are blocked in sheds. We waited for another 20 minutes or so. Even my wife had become little anxious by then. We asked around how long it would take to see deity. The estimates varied from 6 hours to next day morning. We had to take a call at 6.45 in the evening, do we continue to stand in this chaotic situation or exit the queue.
I left the decision to my wife, though I prayed she says lets get out. She said that, and we happily exited the queue. We had to walk back another 30 minutes to reach the car. But it didn't look like a pain. My rendezvous with Athivardar, which never happened! Varada, I will come and see you soon!
Points to note:
1. Crowd is unbelievable. The day we were there it was estimated to be upwards of 3 lakhs.
2. Queue/crowd management is absent for the first 500 meters or so. Its free for all. If you are able to jump queues, you can do it. People may curse, but you shouldn't worry about it.
3. The number of policemen to the crowd is abysmally low. For the first 300 meters, there were at least 20,000 people and the total policemen wouldn't be more than 20!
4. No water or snacks available while in the queue. You can carry your own snacks but I am not sure even if you will be able to open and eat.
5. You have to leave your slipper in your car and go. So, be prepared to walk miles in barefoot.
6. The floor is full of small stones, particularly in the open air shed area. It pains to walk on them after standing continuously in this crowd for more than 3 hours.
7. It is not worth giving it a try, if you are weak bodied, diabetic or blood pressure person.
8. I am really astonished by the discipline of the crowd. What really drives them to stand in a queue for more than 12 hours to have a glimpse of Athivaradar for 1 minute!
PS: I truly believe there is God because the Athivaradar vaibhavam 2019 has gone off for 39 days without any major issues in spite of all the shortcomings and the quantum of crowd. Its truly God's Will and nothing more!
We chose a Wednesday and started to Kanchipuram in a hired cab. After reaching Wallajabad, we started facing the traffic bottlenecks and diversions to accommodate the surging incoming traffic in to Kanchipuram. We were asked to be stopped but our experienced driver managed to sneak us through up to VIP entrance point. We got down and thanked our stars that we were not stopped at Wallajabad which is a good 15 kms before Kanchipuram.
The real struggle started the moment we joined the queue. There was no one to advise the crowd. We started in the queue at the fag end but saw many casually walking past us to join the queue in the front. Naturally, as agitated, we asked a Policeman why it is happening. He coolly said, you also please walk up to the front and join the queue. First learning, the queue system for dharma darshan has no sanctity. Its free for all till you cross the first 500 meters or so.
So, we also walked some 300 Mts and managed to join the queue. But it is really pathetic when we heard that those people were standing from 7.30 am in the morning, while we landed at 12.30 past noon. Anyways, we thanked our stars praising ourselves that we managed to save at least 5 hours by making this smart move forward.
As in any public religious activity, the crowds are unbelievable. This is just the beginning of the queue to get closer to the entrance to the temple. But there is no proper communication and no one knows how long will it take to move closer to the temple. Rumors were flying thick and fast and there were news like a death within the temple etc. , It turned out that actually a devotee has passed away inside the temple.
We were pushed and pulled in all directions inside a barricaded area. Every row would have anywhere between 15-20 people and with no space to move or bend. From 1 pm this comedy show continued for another 3 hours. Yes, 180 minutes of constantly being pushed and pulled. I don't know how people manage to live in such peace and calm while they were in the queue. While inside the queue, tempers frayed multiple times for people near us but quickly got extinguished because nobody is doing anything to anybody intentionally. It was sheer madness to be in the queue.
I for some reason was really maintaining my calmness for the major part of the first 180 minutes. We did have discussions among ourselves, should we continue standing in this queue or get out and go back home? We convinced ourselves that this is just a temporary one and once we move closer to the temple, it will be a smooth ride.
We were moving forward at a snail pace, literally like 10 meters every 30 minutes are so. We could see the Gopuram from a distance and we thought once we go closer to the gopuram, we will be gliding smoothly. After waiting patiently for 180 minutes, we had covered a distance of 350 meters. Yes, it took 180 minutes! Towards the end of this agony filled 3 hours, I started cursing myself as well as started chiding her saying she didn't enquire properly.
Then from a barricaded area we were led in to an open shed where there are blocks manned by Policemen. You have to move from one block to another as a group. It looked like a much easier thing to do. But we again had our self doubts and gave another bout of curses to my wife. To her credit she maintained composure and said we can leave if I find it tough. I thought about it and believed that we have already endured 3 hours of agony and may be another 3 hours, we can see the deity in full glory.
So, we continued to move from one block to another and typically it takes 10 minutes to move from one block to another. The first shed we entered had around 12 blocks and it approximately took almost 2 hours. Then we were put on to the second open air shed, which had 15 blocks are so. But luckily, we cleared the second block much faster than the first. In another 60 minutes we are on the way to the temple. The ecstasy knew no bounds and we were under the impression that another 60 minutes we should be done with the darshan. Mind you, we were already in the queue for more than 6 hours now.
When we reached the East Mada Street, to enter the queue, we had to walk another 500 meters and again people are blocked in sheds. We waited for another 20 minutes or so. Even my wife had become little anxious by then. We asked around how long it would take to see deity. The estimates varied from 6 hours to next day morning. We had to take a call at 6.45 in the evening, do we continue to stand in this chaotic situation or exit the queue.
I left the decision to my wife, though I prayed she says lets get out. She said that, and we happily exited the queue. We had to walk back another 30 minutes to reach the car. But it didn't look like a pain. My rendezvous with Athivardar, which never happened! Varada, I will come and see you soon!
Points to note:
1. Crowd is unbelievable. The day we were there it was estimated to be upwards of 3 lakhs.
2. Queue/crowd management is absent for the first 500 meters or so. Its free for all. If you are able to jump queues, you can do it. People may curse, but you shouldn't worry about it.
3. The number of policemen to the crowd is abysmally low. For the first 300 meters, there were at least 20,000 people and the total policemen wouldn't be more than 20!
4. No water or snacks available while in the queue. You can carry your own snacks but I am not sure even if you will be able to open and eat.
5. You have to leave your slipper in your car and go. So, be prepared to walk miles in barefoot.
6. The floor is full of small stones, particularly in the open air shed area. It pains to walk on them after standing continuously in this crowd for more than 3 hours.
7. It is not worth giving it a try, if you are weak bodied, diabetic or blood pressure person.
8. I am really astonished by the discipline of the crowd. What really drives them to stand in a queue for more than 12 hours to have a glimpse of Athivaradar for 1 minute!
PS: I truly believe there is God because the Athivaradar vaibhavam 2019 has gone off for 39 days without any major issues in spite of all the shortcomings and the quantum of crowd. Its truly God's Will and nothing more!
2 comments:
In this manner my acquaintance Wesley Virgin's adventure launches with this SHOCKING and controversial VIDEO.
Wesley was in the army-and shortly after leaving-he found hidden, "mind control" secrets that the government and others used to get whatever they want.
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You've heard that you utilize only 10% of your brain.
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Maybe that thought has even taken place INSIDE OF YOUR very own mind... as it did in my good friend Wesley Virgin's mind around 7 years ago, while driving an unlicensed, beat-up garbage bucket of a car with a suspended driver's license and with $3.20 on his bank card.
"I'm so fed up with going through life check to check! When will I become successful?"
You took part in those conversations, right?
Your very own success story is waiting to start. You need to start believing in YOURSELF.
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Thanks For Sharing
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