Steps of Faith, Eyes Full of Prayer...

Today, I stand in Sabarimala, surrounded by thousands of devotees, each carrying a story, a hope, and a silent prayer. The air is filled with chants, devotion, and an energy that words struggle to capture. As I walked the 3.2 km trek, I didn’t just see people I witnessed faith in its purest form.
There was an aged woman, her body trembling with every step, yet her spirit unshaken. She paused, struggled, but never gave up. A few steps ahead, I saw a physically challenged man, moving forward with the support of his hands. His determination spoke louder than anything else. These moments made me reflect faith is not about comfort it is about courage.
So many faces, so many emotions, so many prayers each one different, yet united by belief. In that crowd, I was not just an observer I was one among them, carrying my own thoughts, my own silent wishes.
And then, those sacred 18 steps… as I approached them, something within me shifted. Words failed me. I found myself searching for meaning, for expression, but all I could feel was stillness. When I finally stood before Lord Ayyappan, witnessing the ghee abhishekam, I made a silent command to my eyes not to blink. I didn’t want to miss even a second of that divine presence.
My prayer was simple “Be with me. Guide me. Protect me.” Not just for me, but for everyone who came here with hope and faith in their hearts.
Today, I didn’t just visit a temple I experienced devotion, resilience, and the true power of belief and I am writing this, right here, watching it all, feeling it deeply, and trying to preserve it through these words.

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