"Appa Jakkirathiya aashindu pova"! (Father will take care of you) Thus spake my Better Half to Junior as we embarked on our maiden pilgrimage to Sabarimalai a few years ago. These were of course an add on after the mandatory Ayyappan will do the needful. Junior quite junior back then took it in his stride nonchalantly as he did most of the instructions his Mom gave him whenever there was an Appa in the sentence. The fact that the tough terrain of the Sabarimala trek called for an additional protection over and above what the Lord Ayyappan offered didn't seem to impress him much. Appa being around to take care of him in any situation let alone the trek was a routine thing after all.
Appa on the other hand had no other choice, did he?! Appa did conduct himself admirably. Appa gave Junior the ritual bath in the Holy Pampa while holding him tight and secure. Appa stopped a million times on Neelimalai as Junior needed stop to catch his breath often on the steep climb. Appa carried and fed Junior with the electrolyte filled juices to ensure Junior didn't suffer from dehydration. Appa carried Juniors' backpack so that he could carry just the Irumudi and nothing heavier. Appa held behind the mammoth and surging crowd at the Sannidhanam so that Junior is not crushed. Appa jostled with the cops managing the crowd so that Junior could get a few extra seconds of darshan at the Sanctum Santorum. Appa then helped him push the sleep away so that Junior could first have his Annadhanam meal. Appa then lovingly massaged his feet while Junior slept after the strenuous trek. Appa of course did all this on the return journey too. Appa continued to do this on every subsequent visit to Sabarimalai every year since then.
The Pampa water was cold. Very cold. After the snanam, Junior rushed the towel so that Appa wouldn't catch a cold. A few metres into the steep Neelimalai climb, Junior stopped so that Appa could catch his breath. As the climb became more and more daunting, Junior took more breaks than he would usually because Appa you know! At Appachimedu, Junior took a small lead ahead of Appa as the latter struggled with his footwork on the difficult pitch. All this was to ensure the Junior reached the ABBAS kiosk serving ayurvedic medicines laced water ahead of a group of pilgrims and keep a glassfull ready once Appa made the 20 odd meters. Junior guided Appa to the queue which was relatively less crowded. Post the strenuous trek, Junior lovingly watched over Appa as Appa dozed off for a while before starting the trek back. Once back in the hired car, Junior took the front seat so that Appa can stretch himself to sleep in the back seat.
Maybe my Better Half has to change her dialogue next time around when we embark to the trip to Sabarimalai again. "Appava Jakkirathiya aashindu poittuvaa" maybe! (Take care of father) After the mandatory Ayyppan will do the needful of course!
The baton has passed. GeNext iis now officially the GeNow! Swamiye Saranam.
