Before starting the steep climb to the famous Palani Murugan Kovil, the women participants are all given flowers to wear in their hair
The participants start their steep ascent up the mountain
The group who has participants from six different countries, takes an appropriate snapshot next to a Tamil sign board that translates into English as ‘any place belongs to us!’
The view of Palani halfway up the steep mountain
A devotee offers flowers and lights camphor on each step up the mountain as a symbol of devotion
As the participants climb the stairs, throngs of devotees are returning down the mountain after darshan at the top
At the summit, hundreds of devotees enjoying a festive procession
The participants clap and sing bhajans in excited anticipation to see an abhishekam of the presiding deity of the temple, Lord Muruga (Shiva’s Son).
Participants have their foreheads smeared with sandal paste by the priest after the beautiful abhishekam of the deity. They are offered the abhishekam milk as prasad .
One of the participants joins in the excitement and dancing of the passing procession
The group witnesses two young girls practicing sincere tapas; walking only one foot in front of the other around the entire temple
The group visits Bogar’s Samadhi at the temple (Bogar was the Guru of Mahavatar Babaji).
Some of the participants do some shopping as they climb down the mountain
