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Gurudev visited Ceylon again in 1926. He had some moving experiences while travelling in Tamil Nadu in connection with his journey to Ceylon. While he was in Sree Ganapathi temple in heavy rain he said, "If there is anyone writing my biography, these experiences should not be missed, they should be recorded."After that journey to Ceylon, Gurudev did not want to return. He went back only after repeated requests of his disciples and devotees. In a message to the S.N.D.P. Yogam in 1926 Gurudev declared, "No community can make progress except through organization." He further said in that message, "The name Ezhava does not denote a caste or a religion. Therefore people can be admitted to this organization without paying heed to differences of caste." On June 14, 1927 Sree Narayana Guru consecrated a mirror in a temple in Kalavankode - perhaps his last prathishta in a temple. The prathishta of the mirror is symbolic. Advaita philosophers interpret the mirror as the visible symbol of the unity of the Finite and the Infinite. When he arrived in Kalavankode one K C Kutten approached him. There was local opposition to the consecration of a deity, Kutten informed Gurudev. "Bring a mirror," Narayana Guru instructed him. "In its centre scrape out the surface to read 'Om shanti'. He did no more prathishtas. Schools rather than temples are to be preferred, he exhorted in a dramatic shift of focus. Gurudev participated in the anniversary of the S.N.D.P. Yogam held at Pallathuruthi in 1927. It was a splendid meeting which demonstrated the sincere, devout faith of the people in Gurudev. T.K. Madhavan was one of the chief architects of this meeting. In 1928 Gurudev took part in the special meeting of the S.N.D.P. Yogam at Kottayam and gave away registration certificates to the branch organizations. 'Sivagiri pilgrimage' was conceived by Vallasseri Govindan Vaidyar and T K Kittan 'Writer'. It was duly approved by Gurudev on January ... 1928. The setting was SNDP's Nagambadam Siva temple. It was 3 pm and
Gurudev was resting under a mango tree when the two presented the
concept of Sivagiri pilgrimage. Before giving its his blessings
he set out the goals of such a pilgrimage.
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He said: He ruled that pilgrims could wear yellow clothes - the colour of the garments Shri Krishna and Shri Buddha wore. "Let no one purchase yellow silk because we have recommended yellow garments. Not even new clothes are required on the polgrimage. A pilgrim can dip a white garment in turmeric water and wear after drying. "The pilgrimage should be conducted with simplicity and preferably be accompanied by the chanting of hymns. There should be no shouting and pilgrims should scrupulously avoid trappings of ostentation." To Govindan Vaidyar and Kitten Writer Gurudeve counted on his fingers the goals of the pilgrimage, explaining how to achieve them. The goals were the promotion of 1. Education He advised them to organise a series of lectures on the themes with experts conducting them. The lectures should be listened to attentively. More important, the principles should be put into practice. Success must accompany efforts. Only then will the country and the people benefit. this must be the core purpose of Sivagiri pilgrimage. The Palluruthi event in 1927 was the last anniversary of the Yogam which Gurudev attended. It was also the last public function Gurudev attended. Gurudev went to Vellur Mutt at Vaikom to rest. There he was taken
ill. He went to Alwaye and later to Trichur for treatment. Dr. Krishnan
took Gurudev to Palghat. From there Gurudev travelled to Madras
for treatment.
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