"It was a wonderful experience interacting with you and appreciate the way you have planned and executed the whole publication process within the agreed timelines.”
Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
Sabarimala has been lately in the news for recent verdict of Supreme Court allowing entry of women between 10 to 50 year age group to the Ayyappa shrine. The entry of this group was barred due to ancient traditions and customs based on the belief that the idol of Ayyappa, an incarnation of Sastha, is in the form of a perennial celibate. As per popular legends, the 12 year-old Ayyappa, after fulfilling his mission on earth, retreated to the Sabarimala forest, entered into eternal meditation and merged with an idol of Sastha, consecrated there earlier. The spontaneous public agitation against the verdict has created a serious law and order problem in the Kerala state, awaiting the review of the verdict, due to filing of many review/writ petitions by various organizations. The pilgrimage by devotees to Sabarimala involves strict observation of penance and abstinence for 41 days before starting the trek. The various legends and stories of Sastha/Ayyappa and the rigorous pilgrimage rituals are not well known to people other than the pilgrims, who are mostly from South Indian states. The book, result of own pilgrimage experience of the author and his painstaking research work, throws considerable light on these aspects.
K RAVINDRAN
K Ravindran did his schooling in Kerala and his Electrical Engineering graduation from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He joined the Indian Air Force and worked for over 24 years at various stations all over India in the fields of signals, missiles, radar and communication systems. He took voluntary retirement in the rank of Wing Commander and settled down in Vadodara, Gujarat. Thereafter, he pursued his interest in Yoga, spiritual and writing activities. He authored a book titled “Happy Living: A holistic and practical guide to optimize mind and body” in 2006 and a second book titled “Yoga 3600 : Beyond Asanas: A panoramic view” in 2015. He is widely read on many subjects and has extensively traveled all over the world including many of the pilgrimage centers of all religions. He is associated with many social and philanthropic organizations. He is a member of Retired Officers’ Forum, Vadodara – a senior citizens’ fraternity that promotes social causes and organizes seminars on holistic and healthy living. He is a devotee of Ramakrishna Mission and is a practitioner of Yogasana and Pranayama for the past three decades. He spends time reading and writing. The present book is his third publishing venture.
