I have had so many emails after last week’s write up on Iyermalai that I am uploading the rest of the photos:

The hill from the road to Musiri
The hill from the road to Musiri
The village and tank seen from a little way up
The village and tank seen from a little way up
The old flight of steps, used probably by Dikshitar and before him, Appar
The old flight of steps, used probably by Dikshitar and before him, Appar
The present steps
The present steps
Climber's rest with a dramatic view
Climber’s rest with a dramatic view
A split rock which houses the Sapta Mata shrine
A split rock which houses the Sapta Mata shrine
The narrow entrance to the citadel
The narrow entrance to the citadel
Climbing inside the citadel
Climbing inside the citadel
Aralakesi shrine. O bold woman! How do you manage all by yourself?
Aralakesi shrine. O bold woman! How do you manage all by yourself?
Lower circumambulatory passage, Iyermalai. Dikshitar must have walked here!!!!!
Lower circumambulatory passage, Iyermalai. Dikshitar must have walked here!!!!!
The lower mandapam where the temperature was probably 18 deg C
The lower mandapam where the temperature was probably 18 deg C
Into the open for one last stretch of steps
Into the open for one last stretch of steps
The last bend
The last bend
Monkey at the door to the sanctum
Monkey at the door to the sanctum
Monkey on the door
Monkey on the door
Monkey peering through the window
Monkey peering through the window

I should have taken more pictures but at this point old Ratnachalanayaka took me by the hand and the matter became too emotional for me to wield a camera. I still can’t think of this couple – Ratnachalanayaka and Aralakesi, living by themselves on this hill and of Appar and Dikshitar taking the time and effort to climb up and compose…And thanks to God for giving us Musiri Subramania Iyer, who could sing the song the way it had to be… Am I glad I am from this part of the world and what’s more, lucky to be able to appreciate all this.