Smell here the aromatic Sweet Basil!

In my school age days I was sent by my sister to buy Sabza seeds at groceries shop. She used the seeds to reduce her body heat. She soaked them in water overnight before drinking it on the next morning. I used to peep into the tumbler to see the wonder that the water in it had disappeared and that the seeds then had a white mucilaginous covering. The seeds also became sliding on the tongue and palate! I later found that these seeds are that of the Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum, 'Thiruneetrupatchai' or 'Karunthulasi' in Tamil).

The Hill of the Supreme Being

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                             

Being present in the sylvan beauty that is enclosed between the tops of four hills must be enchanting and exciting, isn’t it? The place on this earth referred to is called ‘MAHALINGA MALAI’ (it is in Southern Tamilnadu of India). Cut off totally from the rest of the world, there it will be great to enjoy the company of trees and plants, birds and animals & the devotees and their prayers to SIVA, the Hindu God of these hills! The mantra chanted everywhere on the hills is: “Sivayea nama Om”

Up the hills to the abode of the god:

The hills have to be ascended up by walking and climbing through the paths surrounded by many medicinal plants, trees and streams, and dotted with small worshiping sites for minor deities here and there. The path is occasionally seen strewn with scats of bears. Monkeys follow you for the snacks you carry. Jungle fowl strays out near the path sometimes.

The tiredness of ascending is blown out by the hospitality received from the devotees when we reach the Mahalinga malai temple: the devotees provide us resting spots and give free food as these services to the worshipers are equaled to the services to the God.

The elephants too worship the God:

It is said elephants come to the shrines of SIVA when the humans are absent, and pray the God by offering flowers! I wonder whether we humans have interfered much their praying duties! I think that why we should not allot for them certain period of the year for their free prayers?

On the hills one can even go for trekking higher up the hills to their tops with the guidance of experienced devotees. Note that nobody resides on the hills except Siddhars! All devotees descend down after praying the God. It is a wonder everywhere on the Mahalinga malai having always wonderful experiences at each time of the trip to be told to the folks at the plains!