Maruthamalai and Walayar- Part 1

 

Life – Simple but Complex – Episode 3

Maruthamala and Walayar – Part 1

(Translation of the article published on 2026 July 6 in Taniniram daily)

The experiences we encounter during our journeys are remarkably diverse. The narrow-mindedness that ordinary people often face while trying to move forward in life, and the overwhelming kindness that strangers sometimes extend, remind us that everyone has a story to tell—sometimes simple, sometimes complex.

My journey to Coimbatore was one such story.

I reached the railway station late at night and booked an auto through the Uber app. The driver asked me what fare the app showed. I told him it was ₹90.

"Then you have to pay me ₹135," he said.

At eleven o'clock at night, I did not feel like refusing such a request. My only concern was to reach my accommodation, get a room, and have a good night's sleep. So, without any argument, I agreed.

Thus, I reached the Tamil Nadu Government Circuit House in the Coimbatore Military Area. Although the main gate was open, the reception door was locked from inside because the receptionist was asleep. I called him on his mobile phone. After a while, a staff member came downstairs and opened the door. After making an entry in the register, I was allotted a room. It was clean and comfortable. I settled in and quickly fell asleep.

My plan was to wake up early the next morning, take a bath, and visit Maruthamala.

The receptionist informed me that six IAS officers were expected to arrive in connection with the SIR process before the elections. If they came, I might have to vacate the room. I told him that I would be leaving for Palakkad in the afternoon and that I could simply leave my luggage at the reception if necessary.

After packing my belongings and bringing them downstairs, I booked another Uber auto to go to Maruthamala. Before the ride began, I called the driver and asked how much the fare would be.

"It will be ₹500," he replied.

I immediately told him that he could simply drop me at the bus stand instead. He dropped me at Gandhipuram Bus Stand, charging ₹250 for the short trip—again, almost double the fare shown on the app.

Although I knew it was not right, I did not feel like arguing with the drivers. I did not want to spoil the pleasant mood of the morning.

From Gandhipuram, I boarded a bus to Maruthamala for just ₹40. It was a comfortable bus ride—far more pleasant than travelling by auto—and much cheaper too.

After reaching Maruthamala, I had breakfast at a small shop near the temple. The place was crowded with devotees. I also bought a bottle of drinking water before beginning my walk.

Visitors can reach the hilltop in the temple's shuttle vehicle by paying just ₹10. However, that did not appeal to me. I enjoy trekking, so I decided to climb the hill on foot.

Although there are 851 steps, the climb was not very strenuous. It was a pleasant morning, with neither excessive heat nor humidity. The mountain scenery, the shade of the trees, the stream of devotees, and the presence of numerous beggars together created a striking picture of life's many contradictions. It was a blend of beauty and hardship, joy and suffering.

On the way, I noticed two women performing madipichai. They were moving forward on their knees, using the ends of their sarees as begging bowls. They were doing this either to fulfil a vow made to God or to seek relief from some deep sorrow. It was the first time I had witnessed such a practice.

Faith often gives people a kind of psychological comfort that counselling or even psychiatric medicines sometimes cannot provide.

Inside the temple, the queue for darshan was extremely long. Having fulfilled my objective of climbing the hill, I decided to skip the darshan and began my descent.

At the foot of the hill, I refreshed myself with a tender coconut before boarding a bus back to Gandhipuram. From there, I took an auto to the Circuit House.

On the way, one thought kept returning to my mind. Does Uber know that many auto drivers here collect much more than the fare displayed on the app?

When I returned, the receptionist informed me that the IAS officers had still not arrived and asked me to relax in my room. I spent some time there and, at around one o'clock in the afternoon, decided to leave for Palakkad.

After paying the room rent and checking out, I asked one of the employees where I could catch a bus to Palakkad.

"Ukkadam Bus Stand would be better, sir. I'll drop you there," he said.

Some people are like that. They offer help even before you ask for it.

I got on the back of his scooter, and we headed towards Ukkadam. Traffic was heavy because of ongoing road construction, but he skilfully navigated through the congestion, and soon we reached the bus station.

(To be continued...)