1970- First visit to Sabarimalai

Namaskaram, We, Swami and disciples, went to Sabarimalai in 1970. We were a party of seven. The experience that I am about to narrate will appear like a coincidence, but my humble opinion is that it is not. Most of us tend to overlook the divine will in such rare occurences and rationalize them as a coincidence. However, we should eschew that practise ,and learn to acknowledge the divine will in such experiences in one's life. We departed from Chennai and reached Kottayam. From Kottayam, we engaged a taxi and came to Erimeli. After doing the Pettai thullal, we were ready to depart for Pambai. However, we had not yet had the darshan of Erimeli Shaastha( mandatory per tradition). The temple was closed and would open only after 3 hours. We had to leave soon owing to fact that taxi driver could not wait. We asked Swami if it was okay to leave and he advised us to do so after doing a pradikshinam. We went ahead and did a pradakshinam. To our great surprise we found out that the doors were open! We, the seven of us, had a great darshan. There was not another soul in sight. We came out and then were walking. A group of Swamis enquired to me whether the temple was open. I replied in affirmative. They chided me for uttering a falsehood. I turned back, and lo behold- the doors were closed indeed! Was this a coincidence that we had an exclusive darshan? Sri Sadashiva Brahmendraya Namaha