Ahobilam 1
The devotees who visit the Matham at Ahobilam daily when the Pontiff ("Jeer" in Tamil) is in the temple town, may be categorized in two . The first category comes from all parts of South India. These are the bare chested , dhoti clad men with their foreheads and the torso marked by a sign made with chalk unique to their community- referred to as “Naamams”. Their wives are wrapped in a complex saree attire that extends all of 9 yards, known as the “Madisar” and the wearing of which is a code imparted to them when they get married. The Madisar dates back to the 2 nd century BC. Collectively this community is referred to as Iyengars , a subsect of the Brahmin Vaishnavaites. When I joined the secret club of the Freemasons, I recollect the signs and procedures to be adopted to identify another Freemason. Not so in the case of the Iyengars. Their unique attire marks them out anywhere , anytime. And so they are shooed in, right to the sanctum sancto...