Grace and effort—the two wings of the soul—finally made it possible
By Dr. Choudary Voleti
All Photos: Choudary Voleti
Human life, i have always believed, is like a bird with two wings—one of Divine Grace and the other of human effort. Only when both move in harmony can we truly soar. My recent pilgrimage through the sacred temples of South India became a living testimony to this eternal truth.
Though born in India, I have spent most of my life since the late 1960s in the United States. Many times I returned home, yet the cherished wish to undertake a temple pilgrimage in the South lay unfulfilled for decades. Only in 2023, by what I now recognize as Divine Will, did the journey manifest.
At first, it appeared to be my planning—calls to friends, travel arrangements, meticulous itineraries. Yet, at every step, unseen hands guided me. When my humble car proved inadequate, a devotee offered his new vehicle. When I sought a reliable driver, one appeared through a friends call. As the Bhagavad Gita reminds us: When the devotee is ready, the Divine provides every means to advance his journey. Indeed, the pilgrimage unfolded as a dance between sincere human effort and the benevolent play of Grace.
The Dance of Consciousness
Our journey began in Chennai, reaching Chidambaram by mid-morning. Here, Lord Siva is worshiped as Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer whose rhythm is the pulse of the universe. The sanctum houses the Akasha Linga, symbol of the infinite and formless.
Standing in the inner courtyard as a sudden tropical shower drenched me, I felt the rain as a benediction—as though my mind, too, were being washed clean. The Chidambara Rahasyam whispered its subtle truth: the Divine resides not only in sacred form but in the vast inner space of the heart. Sivam bhutva sivam yajet—to worship Siva, one must become Siva. In Chidambaram, I realized that a true pilgrimage is a journey from place to presence.
The Infinite Compassion of Vishnu
At Srirangam, abode of Lord Ranganatha, serenity dwells amidst grandeur. The seven concentric enclosures embrace the devotee as gently as the Lords own reclining form. Entering the sanctum to the chorus of Ranganatha Swami ki jai!, I felt a peace beyond description. His smile seemed to convey, Rest, child—all is in Divine Order. The Vishnu Purana came alive: He who dwells in all beings as their Self—to Him I bow again and again. Srirangam teaches the essence of bhakti yoga—surrender with trust.
The Majesty of Siva’s Power
At Thanjavurs Brihadeeswara Temple, faith takes architectural form. The towering vimana crowned by 80 tons of granite blocks evokes awe at what devotion can accomplish. As the setting sun bathed the temple in gold, I stood before the massive Lingam in quiet reverence. Here, Siva teaches not fear, but fearlessness born of devotion.
The Grace of the Divine Mother
Madurai, ancient and vibrant, is home to Meenakshi Amman, embodiment of Shakti. The temple is a symphony of devotion in stone. When the priest placed upon me a garland that had adorned the Goddess, I felt Her presence—compassionate, radiant and infinitely near. Ya Devi sarva-bhuteshu shakti-rupena samsthita. The Mother resides in all beings as power itself.
Murugan’s Sacred Abode
Near Madurai rises Thirupparankundram, among the most ancient and revered shrines of Lord Murugan. A 150-foot, seven-tiered rajagopuram marks the entrance, beyond which the temple merges into the very body of the hill. Much of it is carved directly into granite, with halls at varied levels, echoing early 6th–8th-century rock-cut architecture.
The cool, dim corridors contrast beautifully with vibrant sculptures of Deities and celestial guardians, expressing a harmonious blend of Saiva, Vaishnava and Tamil traditions. Spiritually, this is the sacred site of Murugans divine marriage to Devasena after defeating Surapadman—the triumph of dharma. Pilgrims feel here a unique energy: protective, transformative and profoundly intimate.
Where Rama’s Faith Meets Siva’s Grace
Crossing the Pamban Bridge into Rameswaram felt like entering a realm sanctified by timeless devotion. At Ramanathaswamy Temple, endless pillared corridors invite contemplation. Bathing in the 22 sacred wells symbolized an inner purification—a washing away of doubt. Nearby, the famed floating stones of Ramas Bridge quietly affirm that faith can lighten even stone.
The Soul’s Further Ascent
At Tiruchendur, Murugan stands steadfast against the sea, untouched even by the 2004 tsunami—a testament, many believe, to Divine Will. Suchindrams Thanumalayan Temple celebrates the unity of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, while its musical pillars seem to hum creations song. At Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, the Lord resting on Adisesha revealed serenity itself. Viewing His feet, navel and face through three doorways felt like passing through stages of spiritual evolution: surrender, devotion and realization.
Reflections—the Journey Within
As the pilgrimage concluded, I discovered that every temple is also a mirror: at Chidambaram, God dances in stillness; at Srirangam, surrender becomes strength; at Madurai, love is worship; at Rameswaram, purification opens wisdom; at Trivandrum, peace crowns devotion. The journey reaffirmed a timeless truth of Sanatana Dharma: grace descends when effort is pure; effort blossoms when grace is felt. Ultimately, every heart is a temple—awaiting the awakening of the Divine within. Aum Namah Sivaya.
About The Author
Dr. Choudary Voleti, after practicing cardiac surgery for over 30 years in California, took early retirement and was pulled into the orbit of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. For 16 years he volunteered as chairman of cardiac sciences at Sai Baba’s hospitals in India. He now lives in Princeville, Kauai, having been absorbed into Lord Siva’s orbit.