Lone Wolf - Day 6 - Edwin's Journal

Another day arose. I woke up to find that today was such a bright day. It was the day that I was looking for. It was so bright that the glazing beams of sunlight rejuvenated my whole body. I was so thrilled thinking about what all places I would visit this time. I did my morning chores and came to my computer to chart out the places and the sequence of the places where I’m going today. For a starter, I thought it would be best to go to nearby places in my hometown. So I charted out some places that I see most days, but never ever visited. I planned out the route and the direction so as to minimize my time and petrol. And at last, the route plan was complete. Now I’m just waiting for my journey to start.

After eating my breakfast, my mother had given me some work to do. I thought that had ruined my plan because it was a lot and I took all morning and afternoon to complete it. It was soon approaching evening, but I decided that I should go since a day like this never happens twice. And so I started my journey.

The first journey was to go to a monumental praying place called “Advaitha Ashram.” I always see it on my journey, even heard about it, but never ever got inside. I was always so intrigued to know what kind of place it was but was feared because of the thought whether visitors from another religion were invited or not. But that day I put forth my mind to visit it.

I rode my mother’s scooter and stopped at the entrance. My mind was still in question whether or not to enter but later decided to ask if visiting was possible. I went inside to find the place deserted. I parked my scooter and went on ahead and spotted a person writing something near the entrance.

“Excuse me, is visiting this place possible?” – I asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not from here. Ask the ladies in the store.” – He replied.

I walked to the store. One lady in the store was busy talking to someone on her phone and on seeing me; she quickly disconnected it thinking that I’m a customer.

“Excuse me, is visiting this place possible?” – I asked.

“Yes, it is. But the temple door will only open at 5 PM now.” – She replied.

I looked at the watch. It was 4.15 PM. Still, more time to go.

“Can I walk around here?”

“That’s alright.”

I walked through the courtyard of the temple. The temple was situated on the banks of River Periyar and that river was really a sight to behold. The majestic waters gushing hurriedly, yet so calm and peaceful filled my mind with the peacefulness it bestowed. I walked through and reached some steps to the river. There were some women cleaning their clothes.

“Oops. Better leave now.”

After walking around the temple courtyard, I decided it’s best to leave here and go and visit my next destination. My next destination was to visit the “Aluva Palace”. I rode off to there and entered. I asked a person if visiting was possible and he replied that I could walk around the courtyard but can’t enter because it’s now a resort. So I thanked that person and walked around taking photos.

The palace was really considered a palace in the British era. With its cream polished walls, old clay roofs and tall pillars, it really had the essence of a palace. I saw that a new identical type of building was in the process of building. There was a garden in the middle and a road surrounding it. So many trees and grass were on the middle and many plants in pots on the side. And I walked around and later spotted a tree full of bats. It was as such as that tree was its home. After taking a stroll around the palace, I spotted the person that showed me the way and said to say thanks. He and some of his companions talked to me for some time and I went happily from there back to the temple.

I saw that the doors had been opened and so I went inside. It was empty, but in the front, stood the statue of Sree Narayana Guru and some other statues. It was chilly inside. I walked through inside and later went outside to my next destination – to “Aluva Park.”

It was an old and seldom visited the park. Once it was really packed with people. Everyone would come with their children and they would play for long. Nowadays the only people that visit are some couples, some people with family and some just visiting. I came inside and spot some children playing on the swings and merry-go-round. It was really fun to see the smiles on their innocent face. I went on ahead and sat near the edge for some time to intake the beauty of nature filled the park, once packed, and now merely deserted. Nostalgic was filling me from my young age and that made me realise that I too didn’t come today as often as in the young days.

After some time, I realised that I was getting too late and so my journey for today has come to an end. But I’m sure that I’m bound to go to more journeys in the coming days.