These days we think of a temple, and off we go.

 I remember seeing an elderly country cousin once years ago, his beard flowing, his hair unruly and unable to be kept.

Those were days with quite a few saloons already, price for a cutting, (as it was called) was kept at par with petrol, and a shave was a pittance, or a pisuku, (for the price of one the other was free, or little offer)

I asked him why  ? He said he was saving the style for an offering to his favorite diety, and he was waiting for a call   !

These days we think of a temple, and off we go.

Those days, a pilgrimage was an event, saving money, time off from work, preparations with on the way food, no reservation of anykind, no special darshan tickets to jump ques.

And a wait for a call, in dreams or omens.

The darshans were intimate, individual, and memorable, and slow paced, no pictures, no vedios, with just an offering of a little special prasadams on return. (Am sure you can smell the ghee, and see the cashews, or the pancha amirthams)

Most noticeable difference was a tonsure of someone special, or someone who would not retaliate, and ask questions.

Said and done, today was a pilgrimage, a call through omens, a wedding function, mention of the temple, from a passing colleague, and the rest is a travel, and a prayer in gratitude, for the grace offered.

At Srirangam, Trichy.

P. S.
No tonsure, I nearly am already bald.