“Vel vel Muruganukku” and “Arohara!” are uttered by eight males in biking gear as they journey and push their bikes in the direction of the Shiva Muruga temple in Concord, California, from San Ramon. The yr was 2010 and it was an epic journey for these males. The map they drew out that day, now referred to as the Thaipusam path is trekked by 1000’s of devotees in California.
“Planning the trail itself was an experience. Remember, this was before Google maps. We rode our bicycles, mapping the route,” explains Solai Alagappan, 53, who initiated the stroll. “Walking to Murugan temples during Thaipusam is a 400-year-old tradition in South India. I have walked to the Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple at Palani in Tamil Nadu and inspired by this tradition, wanted to organise a similar walk in the US,” says Solai who works for a world tech firm in California. In the primary yr, he had 50 folks signal as much as stroll the 21-mile path.
In 2015, Solai and his buddies went on to formally set up Pathayathirai, a not-for-profit, with the only real function of organising walks and hikes that carry the group collectively and assist their spiritual and bodily well-being. Among their initiatives, the Thaipusam trek has garnered a regular following and in some years has had over 3,000 walkers.
A new path which ends up in the Velmont Spiritual Centre in Mountain home was created by the Pathayathirai staff this yr
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Special Arrangement
This yr for Thaipusam, a new path which ends up in the Velmont Spiritual Centre in Mountain House was created by the identical staff. At the temple perched on the highest level of the open grasslands, sits an aimpon (panchaloha) statue of lord Murugan. “Once we did the recce and confirmed the route, we did another four rounds by foot to get the operational aspects covered. The scenic trail to the base of the hill is 4.5 miles and we created a girivalam (a path around the hill) that’s two miles,” says Solai. Being the primary yr, the staff made a acutely aware resolution to permit solely 500 walkers, a majority of whom have been from California, but in addition included folks from Washington DC and Boston as nicely.
Packed power treats for the walkers
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Special Arrangement
Before strolling uphill, the walkers attain a thaneerpandal (resting spot) arrange by a group of volunteers. “Our volunteers made panakam, buttermilk, tea, mini samosas, sundal and packed a shot of energy treats for the walkers. In my last trip to India, I stopped at these small stores in and around Tamil Nadu, what we call pottikadai and curated a giveaway. The pack included mini murukku, orange mittaai, puli mittai, jujubes, fig halwa, and achocolate bar. We wanted to support small business owners,” shares Alagu AL, the co-ordinator for the thaneerpandal, who works in accounting and finance.
The Thaneerpandal(resting spot) had samosas, panakam, buttermilk, and tea made by volunteers for the walkers
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Special Arrangement
The staff reiterates that the initiative is volunteer pushed. “For example, Ganesh Babu overseas the permits, communications and registrations. Uday works on the trail operations. There are so many more people who come together to make this walk happen. Breakfast for walkers and volunteers was cooked in home kitchens near the location. Over 100 volunteers actively participated to support the walk,” they are saying.
Volunteers assist prep for the banana leaf meals
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Special Arrangement
Across the globe the pusa saapaadu (lunch) is a important a part of the Thaipusam celebrations and seen as prasadam. “We served elai saapaadu (banana leaf meals) at the neighhourhood school. Volunteers gathered the previous day and cut over 200 kilograms of vegetables and helped with the prep work. The dishes were cooked in the Dublin kitchen of Anjappar Hotels, as it’s the nearest to the Velmont temple,” explains Selvam Sethuraman, 47, and Meyyappan Ramanathan, 57, energetic volunteers who spearheaded the meals and service operations for the stroll.
On the banana leaf there’s salt, lemon pickle, potato masala, cabbage kootu, a combined rice, appalam and a beneficiant serving of steaming scorching ponni uncooked rice. Ghee and dal is adopted by pumpkin tamarind curry, tomato rasam and white pumpkin sambhar. The meal ends with a javarisi and semiya payasam. Volunteers come in turns and take care all the best way until the vessels are washed and saved again in the cabinets.
Banana leaf meals being served on the neighbourhood college as a a part of the Thaipusam celebrations
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Special Arrangement
“Over the years, we’ve been able to inspire and guide folks in Michigan, Texas, and Washington DC and they’ve created similar trails and experiences. The whole idea is to recreate the Palani pathayathira, that we miss,” says Solai.
The chants, rituals, and vibrant kavadi and pal kodam processions on a chilly Saturday morning, have been a celebration of group spirit. For some it was penance, for others it was emotional therapeutic and spiritual renewal; and for nonetheless others it was a stunning morning trek on the finish of which they bought to take residence a bottle of Palani panchamirtham, shipped out from India, and sit down for a elai saapadu.
With the success of this path and assist from a community of volunteers, planning the 2026 Thaipusam celebrations has begun. Should you want a slice of Tamil tradition, the Velmont Thaipusam path ought to be subsequent in your bucket listing.
Published – February 25, 2025 05:53 pm IST
