Come November,it is a big sigh for the ordinary traveller.It meant another precious five minutes in the already needed walking, running,jumping routine to reach the compartment.Not because suddenly the platform became big, or the 6.10 shuttle shifted location from platform 3 but the new event called hurdle introduced in the daily schedule.
The hurdle was people from different places converged here to go the yearly famous pilgrimage to Sabarimala.They boarded buses or took taxis from here for the last leg of their journey. They rested in the space available from the gate spilling over to platforms.Some in circles chanting hymns with lit lamps,with the holy ash liberally sprinkled all over the body,some changing clothes, others in deep slumber in haphazard rows,others having breakfast or sipping tea.
Women in general had to be cautious because the pilgrims had taken 45 days celibacy vows So,we had to walk gingerly on tiptoes without stamping any one,without touching anyone and without losing balance as if mines had been planted.The stress and tension filled moments left one high and dry during this season.
The guard of 6.10 was a little liberal but could not overdo because train crossings were timed.People had no idea of who they were because each one was busy trying to reach the platform and board the train.A big sigh of relief once inside.
The next visual was of bathing scenes on the tracks Young old men in black taking bath on the vacant tracks using the water from pipes meant for refilling the long distance trains.The soap foamed faces, the water gushing out , mass bathing, tooth brushes in mouth,shouting from the platform to make it quick as an express train was due, washing all went in full swing,total cacophony, making up for the sights and sounds of an otherwise drab station in the morning.
Next two months was nerve wrecking at both ends till the season ended with a trickle and normalcy resumed.
The hurdle was people from different places converged here to go the yearly famous pilgrimage to Sabarimala.They boarded buses or took taxis from here for the last leg of their journey. They rested in the space available from the gate spilling over to platforms.Some in circles chanting hymns with lit lamps,with the holy ash liberally sprinkled all over the body,some changing clothes, others in deep slumber in haphazard rows,others having breakfast or sipping tea.
Women in general had to be cautious because the pilgrims had taken 45 days celibacy vows So,we had to walk gingerly on tiptoes without stamping any one,without touching anyone and without losing balance as if mines had been planted.The stress and tension filled moments left one high and dry during this season.
The guard of 6.10 was a little liberal but could not overdo because train crossings were timed.People had no idea of who they were because each one was busy trying to reach the platform and board the train.A big sigh of relief once inside.
The next visual was of bathing scenes on the tracks Young old men in black taking bath on the vacant tracks using the water from pipes meant for refilling the long distance trains.The soap foamed faces, the water gushing out , mass bathing, tooth brushes in mouth,shouting from the platform to make it quick as an express train was due, washing all went in full swing,total cacophony, making up for the sights and sounds of an otherwise drab station in the morning.
Next two months was nerve wrecking at both ends till the season ended with a trickle and normalcy resumed.
No comments:
Post a Comment