THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The day was very special. The divine will was to be discerned. Talks, debates and suggestions were abound all around. Still, the Lord and his devouts had a calm, normal day at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple on Monday. The air did turn curious, but only on two occasions. First, when the venerable group of astrologers entered the temple to begin ‘Devaprasnam’ in the morning and, second, when they left in the evening after the day’s rites were done. Otherwise, the temple premises presented usual sights.The devouts flowed in and out steadily. Photographs flashed again and again from same angles with prim regularity in front of the steps at ‘Kizhake nada’. Foreign tourists sat on the temple steps, glum and disappointed, after they had painfully realised that there was no way they could see the treasures inside. Still, they kept their fingers busy browsing through the travel guide as if the book hid a secret route to the vaults. Banana chips outdid handicrafts in sale as ever at the shops stretched on the either side of the temple. The influx of tourists kept the vendors busy. So busy were they that ‘Devaprasnam’ hardly mattered to them. ‘’It is all God’s matter. What can we say about that. Let them do that and we will know slowly,’’ commented a shopkeeper. Even his detachment was a bit distracted when the first news flew in from inside about ill-omens. Even then, curiosity kept a low-profile. ‘’Is that so. What happened?’’ The questions were answered with a mix of terms that tasted like hard, thick banana chips. Some nodded as if they understood everything, the rest gaped but not for long and the talk soon flitted away. An old man said. ‘’You cannot conclude everything in a single day. The ‘Devaprasnam’ will go on for three days. Only then will we be able to say something substantial. It has just begun only.’’ His words were relieving at least to the few who were still racking their brains over ‘Aroodam.’ By noon, the temple was almost empty. The first session of ‘Devaprasnam’ was over and the astrologers dispersed for lunch. ‘God is unhappy. The reasons will be found out soon.’ That was all whoever remained in the temple got to ponder. Again the reminder came. ‘’We can’t say that. ‘Devaprasnam’ has to go on. Till it is over we don’t have to reach any conclusions,’’ a shopkeeper skilfully hindered the course of conversation any further.
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