Let to write an experience I had for Muruga Devotees.
In July 2003 I had visited my native place in India (Kerala) on vacation and had planned to Visit Tirupati as soon as I reach there. I started for Tirupati the second day of my arrival in Kerala and we went by a Mini Coach with 11-12 family members and also our Divine Guru Saraswathi Chechi whom we respect and treat as our own family member.
We reached Tirupati bit late the next day and had good darshan of Lord the same day without any waiting or problems. Having finished our darshan earlier than expected we went to /Sri Padmavathi Temple and Sri Kalahasti Temple the next day. Also the darshan was perfect and detailed with help from a local staff.
Having finished our pilgrimage earlier than expected we didn’t have an agenda and therefore decided to take a deviation via Madurai and Palani on our return trip. Let me mention here that the driver of the mini-coach was not at all coopertive from the beginning and never smiled or talked to any of us. In addition he also slept while driving and we had to stop for some hours to give him some sleep, as he did not come prepared for the long journey. Anyway he was also a human being and may have his own problems to that.
We asked the driver to take deviation via Madhura /Palani but he explicitly rejected and got angry as well. After much plea and taking full responsibility we made him agree to take deviation at least via Palani. We stayed in Salem for the day and started for Palani at 8. AM the next day.
By 9.30 we heard a big explosion and to our surprise we found that one of the tires of our vehicle was punctured and burned out with only the rim remaining to be seen. It was Gods will to save all of us from any accident as the coach was on high speed and could have crashed on its side. At this the driver of our vehicle told that he is canceling the Palani deviation and after fixing the tire heading straight towards home. Though disappointed, we had to agree as there were no spare tires and also thought that could be our fate. All of us were disappointed but our Guru insisted that we would be able to visit Palani somehow and there should be a way out.
It was then that a local gentleman (Named Bhoopati) who came to buy vegetables at a nearby shop came near our coach (spare tire being fixed at that time) and he casually enquired about us. We told him that we are on our way back from Tirupati going home and we had abandoned our plan to visit Palani due to tire the puncture and no spare tires.
He talked to the driver and asked him to make our wish come true to which our driver responded angrily and not to interfere. The gentleman just kept quiet, and told us that he would like to help us if we are willing. Within minutes the gentleman called his friend and made arrangements for another Mini-van and in an hour we were on our way to Palani. Meantime we asked our original driver to wait at the spot till we return from Palani to which he unwillingly agreed. This gentleman also joined us and on our way to Palani we dropped by at Sangameswarar temple (here is the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and Kaveri,] We continued our trip and finally reached the hills. Here the gentleman called one profit, and made arrangements for our special dashing with Rs.10/head ticket. In minutes we were in front of the Lord, in spite of many pilgrim queues and the Purohit made us sit 2 feet in front of the Lord and offered us Garlands, Prasad, and did Puja in all of our names. We were all immersed in prayers and didn't know how to thank Palani Aandavan and the gentleman for giving us this unexpected darshan. All of us were wordless and never ever anyone of us had such a special darshan of His Great Might.
After darshan and giving dashing to the profit, we speeded ourselves back to the same spot where our driver was waiting and wanted to give something to the gentleman. He denied and said "One day you will say to someone - that there was a gentleman who helped us to get darshan of Palani Aandavan in spite of being hopeless; and narrate the story. That itself is more than enough for me". Having said that, he bid farewell to us and left with his friend into the darkness of the night. It was not until our way back to Kerala in the original coach that we realised that it was a miracle and this gentleman [Bhoopathi] was God Sent on our behalf. The tire Puncture was also God's wish or else we would never see such a face-to-face darshan of Lord. Also our Guru [Sarswathi Chechi] realized that our wish to visit Palani would be fulfilled and just kept smiling at the happening of all events.
This is an unbelievable experience for me as I had never ever thought I would be visiting Palani, instead I had plans to visit a Murugan temple in Kerala so that I could put in 'Hundi' the offer that I had promised to Muruga while in Hong Kong for the Papa Moksha (having killed snakes at young age). I believe that Palani Aandavan has forgiven my mistakes and given me moksha and also blessed me with well wishes and made me visit him personally at Palani.
I believe in Palani Andeans strength and thanks for the great experience he gave to us. Always in my mind you will be my Lord and will offer prayers to you daily without fail.
Palani Aandavanae Hara Haroe Hara....
Palani Aandavan has also blessed my sister with a baby girl (11th Aug 2003) in spite of astrologers predicting her going to have a third boy. I had offered to get the baby (to be) a Mundanam at Palani if her wishes of a baby girl came true and alas God’s power has prevailed. I now believe that God’s decision prevails if we offer heartfelt prayers and steering of astrology and our life ahead itself is in the hands of God. Palani Aandavanae I will do the needful and keep in mind the Vow. Haraharoe Hara: