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Steep rock walls rise above from center of the city.  The cliffs around the mountain dwarf nearby buildings.  Two massive humps resemble a wide back and head.  Atop the head sits the famous pilgrimage destination of Trichy, short for Tiruchirappalli.  This temple sits central on the head and forms a magnificent crown. The trail leading to temple’s sanctum resembles the great sweeping trunk of Lord Ganesh.

Trichy has recently become a popular destination in Tamil Nadu due to steady expansion of new businesses.  However people have been coming to this city for over a thousand years to visit the Uchi Pillayar Temple.  This temple was constructed in honor of Lord Ganesh.  It sits at the highest point of the mountain, which distinctly resembles a massive elephant.  Centuries ago, people recognized this site as the natural form of Shiva’s son and the great remover of obstacles, Ganesh.  It is a great blessing to pray at His “crown” and it is thought to remove many hindrances to one’s spiritual growth. 

Swamiji and Amma rose early and stirred the rest of our group.   We grouped together at the base of another mountain.  This was to be our last great climb of this long journey.  Over 400 ancient stones steps lead to the temple above.  We began our climb, leaving the street markets and bustling crowds below.  At about three-quarters up the mountain, called Rock Fort Hill, there is a temple to both Shiva and the Divine Mother.  Swamiji and Amma had visited here before and were keenly searching for someone.  Several years ago they had an astral visit from a very old Swami who lives in this temple and invited them to come here.  We walked about the temple and could not see old swamis, so we continued on our way to the crown of Ganesh. 

The path winds around to an opening atop one hill and then steeply climbs up to the main sanctum.  The steps are very old and worn.  Some steps are very steep, while others are so worn, that they are non-existent and leave just an angled slope.  We worked our way to the top bringing coconuts and flowers as offerings on everyone’s behalf.  Offering a coconut to Ganesh represents surrendering one’s ego to the Divine. The main priest accepted out offerings and placed them at the feet of Ganesha.  We were then directed to walk around the main sanctum.  High atop the city we could feel great, rejuvenating winds on the far side of the sanctum.  Refreshed and pleased with the offerings and prayers, we sat and enjoyed the wind and expansive view for a few moments. 

Heading down, Swamiji and Amma were again looking for the Swami who summoned them here.  We reentered the Shiva temple below and heard the subtle twangs of a puja bell.  Following our ears, we walked about the temple.  Suddenly, Amma walked ahead passing a long corridor.  Quickly, she stopped and backed up peering down the dim and narrow stone hallway.  A few hundred feet away, a little puja lamp illuminated a smiling and bearded face.  Amma excitedly said, “That’s him!  We must ask for his blessings.”  As we approached the old Swamiji, he waved to us with a broad and inviting grin.  He laughed like a child, immediately recognizing Swami and Amma.  This 85 year old holy man spends his days recognizing silence and does not speak or usually make any noise at all.  Regardless, he giggled with us and invited us to sit nearby.  Swamiji and Amma prostrated with reverence as he sat himself onto a very old deerskin mat.  Raghudas followed their lead. A watchman nearby came to our group and spoke about the Swami.  He said that has been living there for his whole life and is a true and hidden Siddha Master.  The watchman shared that two years ago, while climbing a Villva tree, to collect the leaves for his prayers, the Swami took a great fall.  He actually broke his back in several places.  However, he managed to heal himself in the time since, never leaving the temple.  We thought this to be a great testament to the power faith and the abilities of this simple Swami. 

The man brought out a small canvas bag.  He reached in and revealed the contents in his right palm.  He held Vibhuti or holy ash and offered it to each of us.  Immediately, Amma commented on the heavenly scent of this Vibhuti.  We all noted the divine fragrance that came from the ash.  It had a unique scent that could be compared to a combination of fresh flowers and camphor.  Amma continued that it was shown to her that this fragrance comes from the purity of the prayers and mantras that the Swami pours into the holy ash.  We put a small amount onto our foreheads and then a bit onto our tongues, not wanting to waste any of the ash.  The remainder was carefully packed in a newspaper wrapping.  Then the Swami reached into another bag and pulled out several sets of leaves.  Swamiji explained that these are Villva leaves and are used in praying to Lord Shiva.  The man handed us a small grouping of the leaves.  His eyes lit up and he stood.  His back arched and he bent forward as he slowly walked down the stone corridor.  We were all elated with this meeting and grateful to the Divine for the great blessing.

Walking down from the temple, none of us felt any tiredness in our legs from the morning’s climb.  It was as if we floated down to the market below.  All of us shared wide smiles with the villagers below, who didn’t know what to make of our joyful group.  Working our way through the market, we returned to our vehicle and continued with the journey ahead.