It all started in jiffy when we decided to go and see the much heard "Thanneermalaian Temple" in Penang with my friend who had a life time commitment in 36 hours from the start of journey. Well its true that every big journey starts with a small step and so was ours....
After contemplating for few minutes about the possibility of delay in bus travel to Larkin, we decided to take train and reached Larkin around 10 PM and started to hunt for bus to Penang. With no options left, we bought tickets to Kuala Lumpur, from where we were told to take another bus to Penang. This was not what we expected but nevertheless, we bought the ticket and headed to dinner. (Surprisingly) explaining what a vegetarian food was tougher .. may be its the time of the day we went there.. But then we managed to explain and get some vegetarian food and came back to the platform, where we were told that there is a bus to Penang available and we could take that straight away. We were excited partly because we dont' have to get down in KL at 4 in the morning and partly because we could save time to come back within the target time.
The bus went to Butterworth around 8 AM after literally going through each and every street, that the bus can go. Once again we had a confusion followed by a momentary decision to take ferry to the Penang and got down to take the ferry. Without any delay, we were in the ferry and timing couldnt' be any more perfect. This was an amazing experience as the ferry we got in had two floors, where in there were about 100 cars - The people use these ferries to travel between islands and its their daily routine. The way these cars come into the ferry from normal roads (where we were walking) and the way these exit the ferry along with us is never a forgettable experience. Have watched such scenes in movies though...
After about 15 minutes, we reached the place where we were supposed to get freshened up and its a huge 3 storey house with just rooms and bathrooms. Heard this was built about 100 years ago, by a specific community (common in South India) just for the sake of travellers to come and freshen up. Seeing the reception and facilities, I was thinking about the concept of backpack travel, which has become common these days was something very ordinary facility about a century ago or even before that. We were told not to wait for bus no 10, due to its frequency and was advised to take an alternate bus. Once again information just started flowing in without we asking for directions.
We thanked the custodian of the place and went to a place called "KOVIL VEEDU" - This is not just an edifice or a temple - the Sanctum Sanctorum simply gives a feel that I am at the right place. I felt I have never experienced the tranquility in that place anywhere else and felt for a second that the purpose of my trip is fulfilled. Once again, this place was closed when we went and somebody in office came forward (on his own) to help us and let the custodian Thaatha (Old man) to open the door for us. Our day could not have started any better and it was indeed a blissful start.
Heading to bus stop, took bus 101 to Adventist hostpital (as per route map suggested by the gentleman at the place we got freshened up) and decided to walk after we reached there. Spent couple of minutes at Sri Muneeswaran temple at the corner of the road, we reached a temple, which is located before the Thanneermalaian Temple on the same road. The time was around 11.30 (30 minutes before the closure time) and we spent few minutes and had to be there for Uchi kala poojai (the prayer usually offered around mid day time and its generally believed that people should not leave the temple during this prayer). While I was awestruck with the layout of the temple and the serenity of the place, and my friend was busy talking to God, my bustling mind became curious to see what more in store for me in this trip. Coincidentally, I heard somebody saying the temple at the hilltop might close around the same time as this and if we are lucky we can see the deity there. Both of us decided to take a chance and went to the hilltop and found about 700+ steps to be climbed to reach the top.
With all the positive energy that was accumulated since morning we started climbing (knowing fully well that the temple might be closed and we may not get in to the temple). There was a place in between (may be after about 300 steps or so) where we both felt tired and couldnt' climb any more. Incidentally, this was the place where the temple was located previously. As I was asking my friend whether we can return, heard a bell sound, which is usually the indication of Uchi kaala poojai and that the temple is open. God knows (and only He really knows) how we got the strength at that point in time - we both were inside the temple in next 3 minutes. Yet another tranquil experience witnessed. We both sat there for a while next to a big fan and with so much of sweating, I was looking like a guy who came straight out of bath. After spending sometime we were walking back when I noticed wonderful saying along the path of the stairs and (may be a co-incidence that) these were conveying or hinting what I went through personally over a period of time and each one was like giving me a message in its own way. As my mind was taking time to comprehend on various experiences during the last 12 hours, my friend just said "avaru pakkanum nu mudivu pannitaru - so namma ponom" (meaning HE has decided to see us and hence we went there - what a humble way of surrendering - I was thinking to myself and reiterated the thought that was running in my mind).
After waiting for a while (during which time I noticed that there is a Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple right next to this temple and was remembering my father who recently shared the relevance of this form of Shiva to our life) we took the bus, which again took for ever to reach the Jetty - where we are supposed to take the ferry back to Butterworth. We came there around 3.20 and the next immediate bus available was at 4.30. By that time we both were exhausted and was hungry too. We got the ticket and went to a nearby food court and took time to explain that lady what a vegetarian food is and what all it contains... Luckily again from nowhere somebody appeared in the shop who translated all our requirements in the local language and disappeared before even we could thank him. We had Mee-Goreng; and Nasi-Goreng with utmost faith that its a vegetarian food. We took the bus around 5 PM and was hoping to reach Kuala Lumpur (KL) by 9 where from we could take a bus to Singapore and reach per the plan.
At one point in time, it was felt that even nature was against us (nothing new to me, as it has been like that off late). Heavy traffic and bad weather caused the bus to move at a snail's pace. We reached KL by around 11 PM and we had no option but to depend on a guy who said he has two tickets for a bus which starts at 2.30 AM - Enfolded by some doubts about what time we will reach Singapore, we were going in all directions hunting for bus to Singapore. Eventually came back to the same guy who by then had only two tickets next to where all the luggages are kept. We were caught again by fear / doubts as to what other choices, if any, do we have. We were standing in the middle of the road at midnight with no options, thinking what to do, when suddenly the same guy came and said there are 2 seats available in the bus coming at 2.30 and it costs RM 130. The cash we had was RM 110 and we said we will get him the balance shortly. Went to a nearby hotel and managed to convince the owner to give us some Ringgit in exchange for SGD and paid for the ticket.
Boarded the bus 'exactly' at 2.30 and had disturbed sleep until 6.30, when few passengers like us, who are heading to Singapore, were asked to take another bus at Larkin. It was only then we came to know that the bus at 2.30 came from the same place where we went in the morning from Butterworth. A message indeed - I thought. Reached Beach Road around 7.30 and took a cab to home, when I was telling my friend that we should plan a bit more next time and ensure we see Bathu caves temple in KL and come. He acknowledged and was silent (probably engrossed in his tensions to reach his (new) office on time). Just after few minutes, he asked me to look at the sticker next to steering and it was the sticker of Bathu caves shrine with Lord's face engraved. Before I could realize what was happening the taxi driver asked me where should he stop and I just replied "yes stop here", which was right in front of my house.
True to the wordings I saw in the temple steps, Every journey starts with a small step and after every journey, each step crossed will be an experience of its own. One thing that we all keep in our subconscious mind irrespective of our belief system is FAITH and very truly said in my mother tongue "நம்பினவனுக்கு நடராஜன்" (Nambinavanukku Natarajan - whoever has complete faith in God, will be blessed eventually after some hardships and nothing is permanent in this world - not even troubles).
