Pathanamthitta : Panthalam Palace Executive Committee representative, P G Sasikumara Varma said that, they are proud of Ayyappa devotees who went to jail for hailing Lord Ayyappa. When chanting “Swami Saranam” was prohibited, the prayer protest gave strength to the devotees. This is just a beginning. We want you to take the lead in protecting our rituals and beliefs, Sasikumara Varma said.
Rulers who do not know about our culture or about the nature of the temples or the customs have stopped us from following our tradition as we are ruled by them for two years or five years. Devaswom board can stop us for a period of two years, the government can stop us for five years. This restriction had helped us to gain extraordinary strength. Rajesh’s face reflects it. When Sasikumara Varma said that, with the action of suspension we got more strength, devotees welcomed his words with prayer chanting.
Lord Ayyappa made us do this. With the functioning of the Chief Minister of Kerala we got together. We should also thank the Kerala Government, because of what we have realized that, there is so much strength in chanting “Swami Saranam”. They just arrested you. We were beaten up with words along the road stretch. This is a big lesson for all of us. We should thank Pinarayi Vijayan for moulding our hearts in such a way, even to come up to the streets to welcome you all, he added.
You did your best for Ayyappa. Your irumudikett will kept along the holy ornaments of the deity. Once the ban is lifted you can complete your pilgrimage, this is our wish, said Sasikumara Varma.
Pilgrims who returned with their irumudikett must be discussed said Rajesh, who was arrested for chanting “Swami Saranam. In order to complete the abstain once must complete the ghee anoint, which we were denied. Panthalam Palace had offered us a place to keep our irumudikett, also we can be a part of the Thiruvabharanakhoshyatra. We welcome this with all our heart. Ayyappa is our faith and emotion. We are willing to accept any any suffering in the name of our Lord, said Rajesh.
Rajesh and other Ayyappas arrested from Sabarimala for chanting “Swami Saranam” was bailed out yesterday. All the pilgrims received great reception from the Ayyappa devotees.