KOCHI: It’s been almost 10 days since Amangattichalil Kannan my start pilgrimage are from Malappuram to Sabarimala, and he’s determined to do it the hard way – all 300 kilometers in one wheelchair.
Kannan lost his left leg in an accident a few years ago and his other leg is partially paralyzed. The motive of his pilgrimage was to seek the blessing of Lord Ayyappa for his Muslim teacher, who helped him gain a shelter when he had almost given up his future.
On December 3, 2013, Kannan lost his left leg while unloading wood from a truck. One of his legs was amputated. As a daily wage worker with three daughters and one son, Kannan struggles to make ends meet. MP Sameera, an assistant professor at Government College in Kondotty who is also the coordinator of the National Service Programs unit at the university, learned about Kannan and the NSS unit built a home for he.
In Pamba, Kannan plans to walk up to the temple
It was Teacher Sameera who changed my life, and she was like God to me and my family. I am an avid follower of Ayyappa. This journey is for teacher Sameera. I believe Lord Ayyappa will bless her if I sincerely pray at Sabarimala,” Kannan said upon arrival in Kochi on Friday, en route to Sabarimala.
It was on December 15th that Kannan, 49 years old, started from Thadapparamba village to Sabarimala. “I usually start my journey in my wheelchair at 6am every day and it continues until noon. After having lunch from the temples or the Annadanam stall for Sabarimala pilgrims, I rested and took a short nap. The cruise continues around 6pm and lasts until 11pm. I spent the night in the temples,” said Kannan, who immigrated to Kerala from Tamil Nadu about 40 years ago. When he reached the Pamba River, at the foot of the hill, in the first week of January, Kannan planned to hike up the Ayyappa temple on foot.
Kannan’s eldest daughter is a medical student while the others are still in school. Satheedevi, Kannan’s wife, worked as a cleaner in a hotel, being the sole breadwinner of the family until recently. Since last month, Kannan started selling lottery tickets to earn extra income. “Even four years after helping build his house, Kannan still calls me and thanks me every time it rains heavily,” he said. Professor Sameera.
Kannan lost his left leg in an accident a few years ago and his other leg is partially paralyzed. The motive of his pilgrimage was to seek the blessing of Lord Ayyappa for his Muslim teacher, who helped him gain a shelter when he had almost given up his future.
On December 3, 2013, Kannan lost his left leg while unloading wood from a truck. One of his legs was amputated. As a daily wage worker with three daughters and one son, Kannan struggles to make ends meet. MP Sameera, an assistant professor at Government College in Kondotty who is also the coordinator of the National Service Programs unit at the university, learned about Kannan and the NSS unit built a home for he.
In Pamba, Kannan plans to walk up to the temple
It was Teacher Sameera who changed my life, and she was like God to me and my family. I am an avid follower of Ayyappa. This journey is for teacher Sameera. I believe Lord Ayyappa will bless her if I sincerely pray at Sabarimala,” Kannan said upon arrival in Kochi on Friday, en route to Sabarimala.
It was on December 15th that Kannan, 49 years old, started from Thadapparamba village to Sabarimala. “I usually start my journey in my wheelchair at 6am every day and it continues until noon. After having lunch from the temples or the Annadanam stall for Sabarimala pilgrims, I rested and took a short nap. The cruise continues around 6pm and lasts until 11pm. I spent the night in the temples,” said Kannan, who immigrated to Kerala from Tamil Nadu about 40 years ago. When he reached the Pamba River, at the foot of the hill, in the first week of January, Kannan planned to hike up the Ayyappa temple on foot.
Kannan’s eldest daughter is a medical student while the others are still in school. Satheedevi, Kannan’s wife, worked as a cleaner in a hotel, being the sole breadwinner of the family until recently. Since last month, Kannan started selling lottery tickets to earn extra income. “Even four years after helping build his house, Kannan still calls me and thanks me every time it rains heavily,” he said. Professor Sameera.
