Holy Dip in Kaveri River
After pushing me for months over the phone, my friend eventually got what he wanted, a couple of days from my calendar. I decided to pack my things and visit my friend at the temple town of Srirangam.For me, Srirangam, a neighborhood of Trichy city, is all about the massive Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple (Perumal Kovil) and nothing else. Oops, I missed one, yup, the term Srirangam simply reminds of river Kaveri aka Cauvery to the Tamil speaking people all over the world.
Rather than calling my friend again for my itinerary, I simply googled it. Apart from the innumerable temples I checked, one thing seemed different to me which is - holy dip in Kaveri River. That straightway triggered off my curiosity which led me to search more about it! Woefully, I ended up with same information in different words all over.
The following day I woke up under the hot Sun of Trichy, with my friend waiting and delivering the same old priceless dimpled smile for me! Pleasantries done and dusted! Our next step is towards Srirangam. Our 30 minute bike journey from Trichy Central Bus Stand to Srirangam was all about the holy dip in Kaveri.
Goodness me, again I heard the same old story, this time from my friend! Half way through, the long Kaveri Palam (Kaveri Bridge) made my jaw drop for a good couple of minutes. The same day, with the help of my friend, we met a archakar (temple priest) and finally the mystery unfolded! Holy dip in Kaveri River is as important as visiting the Perumal Kovil itself.
Though, Trichy has many Ghats, a holy dip at the famous Amma Mandapam Ghat is considered to be the most special one. Thousands of devotees visiting Srirangam throughout the year consider a dip in Kaveri, a top priority.
Here is the best part - It is widely believed that “Thula Snanam” (Tamil month Aippasi/Oct-Nov) is a month hallowed for the Kaveri River. A dip in Kaveri, in the Tamil month “Aippasi” is considered to cleanse human beings of all sins.
It is in "Aippasi" that all the other holy rivers come to the Kaveri River and bathe and sanctify themselves! Also, a holy dip in Kaveri River before offering Tharpanam (rituals) to forefathers on “Aadi Amavasai” (No Moon day in Tamil month Aadi) is an important activity too.
After giving hearty thanks to the priest, I and my friend were on our way, straight to Amma Mandapam Ghat in complete silence. I did not want to delay washing away my sins - committed unintentionally!
Santhosh Kumar from Bengaluru shares his experience of visiting Srirangam, a neighbourhood of Trichy and taking a Holy Dip in Kaveri River with his friend