We are in an era in
which we need to be educated time and again, about our Own Roots - Culture and
Tradition. Many of us believe that Faith in our religion, Devotion to God &
Service to Elders / Mankind are the basic values that needs to be imbibed. This
would be more appropriate through religious / historic tours.
As a part of the
annual pilgrimage to Divine Destinations, this year the Mylapore Trio along
with Foundation Secretary Sugathan went on Kashi Yatra for about 12 days in the
Month of June 2015. The journey started from Chennai to Varanasi and then to
other places.
The Divine Destination
was Varanasi – Kashi – the ultimate place. We had a holy bath in the most
sacred river Ganges early morning 3 days for hours together, worshiped Lord
Vishwanatha 7 times through morning, afternoon, evening and night rendered
songs on Lord Shiva, had a dharshan of Goddess Annapurani & Goddess
Visalakshi many times. Above all, All four of us were individually blessed to
perform 12 types of Abhishegams to Lord Kashi Vishwanath, beginning from Ganga
Jal from Silver Gomukh, followed by Milk, Curd, Honey, Ghee, Manjal, Kumkum,
Chandan, Vibhoothi, Jigina dust, Vaasanai Dhravyam, Pushpam, Maalai, Naivedhyam,
Aarathi. The most privileged thing was that all of us performed all Abhishegams
individually and were able to stand near the Linga for about ten minutes
without any interruption in the holiest of the holy spot, where hundreds and
thousands of people congregate every minute. It was a very divine experience,
which is in explicable and unforgettable.
In the evening we had an awesome experience
of being in the Ganges for 3 hours. We embarked on a boat and visited all the
Ghats including Harichandra, Manikarnika, etc. we were caught unaware in a
sudden sand storm in the middle of the ganges, nothing was visible, a very
dangerous situation, boats were tossed, waves were rough, a nightmare and after
few minutes normalcy returned, also our breath too. It was a divine watch to
see the Ganga Aarathi during Dusk – a lifetime spectacle. The atmosphere was
electrifying and the air rented with the slogan “Ganga Maathaaki Jai”.
We also crisscrossed the lanes and by lanes of
Kashi and visited many local sites like Benaras Hindu University established by
Shri. Madan Mohan Malavia, Kaal Bhairav Temple, Kanchi Shankara Mutt,
Kamakoteeswarar and Kamakoteeswari Temple, Naattukkotai Nagarathar Mutt. The
most important place was the Kumara Guruparar Mutt. It is said that it was he
who retrieved the Kashi Vishwanath Temple from the Muslim rulers through legal
arguments in chaste Hindustani, even though he knew only Tamil, which is
considered to be a divine miracle. Later he attained Jala Samadhi in Ganga. The
Temple later passed many hands and now with the UP Govt. We had a very strange
experience of watching tens of dead bodies burning in Manikarnika and
Harichandra Ghats without much ado. Thrilled to know about the most peculiar
and strange curses on certain aspects in Kashi. It was indeed a lifetime
experience to be in the holiest of the holy place – Kashi.
Next visit was Gaya & Bodhgaya. We worshiped
Vishnu Paadam, Phalkuruni River, Akshyavadam at Gaya. Cherished the story of
Sita performing Srardham for Dasaratha with five elements as Saakshis and her
curse on them for their “Poi Saakshi”. Later we made a visit to the Bodhgaya
and were amazed & awestruck to see the Bodhi Tree and the exact spot where
Prince Siddhartha attained Nirvana and became Lord Buddha. Young Buddha bikshus
were performing religious dogmas in a very silent manner in a serein atmosphere
and in a spiritual ambience. We lost ourselves in the chanting of “Buddham
Sharanam Gachchami”, we also visited many other Buddhist Monasteries built in
various styles by different countries like China, Japan, Thailand, Srilanka,
Nepal, Tibet etc…
At Allahabad – had a holy dip in the Triveni
Sangamam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna & the mythical Saraswathi and also
had dharshan of Sakthi peetam - one of the 51 holy places of the Goddess
Parvathi. Thrilled to visit “Ananda Bhavan” the ancestral house of the Nehrus
and where Indira Gandhi was born and wedded to Feroz. Every inch of the house
has great historical significance. Great leaders including Mahatma Gandhi have
visited, stayed and discussed and chiseled our freedom movement from this very
building. Every room, nook and corner have been protected with glass panes and
well maintained as it was to be.
We then continued
our trip to the Historic place of Ayodhya by rendering Ram Bhajans for 5 hours
continuously, then had a holy dip at River Sarayu and worshiped Lord Rama at
His Birth place. Sang Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite song “Raghupathi Ragava Raja
Ram” in front of the Deity - A thrilling experience. It was literally a
fortress to enter the site including a dozen security checks.
We also visited Sarnath
– the place where Lord Buddha gave his First Sermon after attaining
enlightenment, in which place the famous Ashoka Pillar (Emblem of the Govt. of
India) stands a Testimony to it.
On the whole it was an unforgettable and
cherishable divine experience for us & which would remain ever green in our
memory. We re-discovered many historical facts and also sublime values through
this Spiritual Kashi Yatra. The Sacred Journey continues…
Ganga Aarthi at Kashi
Kedar Ghat – Kashi
Manikarnika Ghat – Leaning Temple on the banks of the
Ganga-Kashi
Manikarnika Ghat – Holy Cremation ground on the banks
of the Ganga-Kashi
Maha Bodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya
The Historic Bodhi Tree at Buddha Gaya
The Historic “Ananda Bhavan” – the Ancestral House of
the Nehru’s at Allahabad
Sarnath – where Lord Buddha gave his First Sermon
