24 July 2006

Fishing Family



I recently visited the very nice gent Subramanian in his home near the Big Temple. In the above photograph he is surrounded by some of his adoring great-grandchildren. Subramanian is the head of the fishing family responsible for lighting and maintaining the flame during the yearly Deepam festival. The Arunachala Puranam relates the story between Siva and the Asuras which explains the historical reason why a fishing family is in charge of this very auspicious work (more about the Puranam story in later postings).

Subramanian is 75 years old and has been going on top of Arunachala for this work for the last 55 years. He is now a great grandfather, and it is his own five sons: Ramesh, Samandan, Annamalai, Bala Gandhi and Rajendran, who take turns (in revolving years) to be in charge of the Deepam Flame.

However, Grandfather Subramanian still ascends Arunachala EACH Deepam to oversee everything is taken care of in the proper way.

1 comment:

Divyakka said...

That is really nice. And how refreshing to see a pic with Indians smiling and showing affection! Usually in photos everyone is only standing stiff and serious!