શંકરજી, અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

શંકરજી, અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

દર્શને તમારા આવ્યા હતા અમે સીધા રે.... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

ભક્તો તમને પૂજે, ગુણ તમારા ગવાય

તોય તમારા ભક્તોને તમે તણાવી દીધા રે... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

ચાર ધામ જાતરાનો મહિમા બહુ ગવાય

એ જાતરાએ કેમ કરીને આવશે બધા રે... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

યાત્રા ધામમાં લૂટફાટ, માનવતા ખોવાય!

માનવને પશુ તમે કેમ બનાવી દીધા રે.... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

ત્રીજું નેત્ર ખોલ્યું ને તાંડવ કર્યું કહેવાય

ભક્તો પર જ કેમ તમે આટલા ખિજાયા રે.... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

ગંગાજીને ઝીલ્યા હતાં, જટા કેમ ખોલાય?

નાથ, તમે કેટલાને અનાથ બનાવ્યા રે... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

રાવણને લંકા, રામને વનવાસ, કેવો ન્યાય?

અત્યાચારી રાક્ષસો પર જ તમે કેમ રિઝાતા રે... શંકરજી અમે તે એવા કયા ગુના કીધા રે?

Ram Teri Ganga Krodhi Ho Gayee!

Ganga, which britishers and their mental slaves calls 'Ganges' is very powerful river as per Hindu mythology. There is one story about Ganga coming from 'Swarg' (heaven) to earth. King Bhagirath wanted to give salvation to his ancestors. For this he had to bring Ganga river on earth. No one else but only God Shiv (In English, it is wrongly spelled as Shiva) could catch Ganga's powerful stream and channelize it. Bhagirth prayed and thus Shiv cought Ganga in his 'Jata' (hair) and channelize power of Ganga. This story is also symbol of power of women.

Shiv idol in flood of Uttarakhand.

Women are called 'Shakti' in Hindu religious books. 'Shakti' means energy. If 'Shakti' is not channelized, it can destroy everything. What we are witnessing in some past days is nothing else but nature's fury. As per mythology, Ganga river was very difficult to control. Only Shiv could do it. In 'Mahabharat', King Shantanu fell in love of Ganga. He wanted to marry her, but Ganga put one condition : Don't ask me any question. What am I doing and why am I doing? If you ask me question, same moment I will leave you.

Days were passing. Ganga became pregnant. Gave birth to child. She threw her child in its river form. Then again she became pregnant. Again she threw her child in river. Shantanu was witnessing this with very pain, but was not able to ask why she was killing their child one after one as she had put condition. Thus Ganga killed her seven children who were actually incarnation of 'Vasu'. But when eighth child was born, Shantanu asked Ganga why she was killing her own children? Ganga told that children were incarnation of 'vasu'. They were born due to curse and they needed salvation. But now as Shantanu asked her question, she would leave him and would not throw eighth child in river. This eighth child was Devvrat who was known as Bhism later.

So, purpose of telling these myths are that Ganga is very powerful river. But in Uttarakhand, on name of development, numbers of dams are built and are being built on Ganga river. Enviornmentalist cautioned against it that due to this earthquake and flooding disasters can happen. And we can see that a major disaster has happened.

There are also floods near Christian pilgrimage site in France.

It is interesting that Kedarnath temple remained intact while all surroundings were destroyed in flood. We have seen idol of Shiv remained intact in flood. This is simply miracle. Interestingly, in France there are also floods and that also near the Catholic pilgrimage site in Lourdes. Site is closed due to flood. You can see this in above image. Gesus idol is in water.These two incidents show that all religions have one root. All Gods are one! Lets pray for pilgrimages trapped in disaster in Uttarakhand. Let's pray for world unity!  

Nitish and Modi : Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jaaye hum dono

After being in relationship for 17 long years, Janta Dal (U) and BJP parted ways. It is well known fact that both have choosen different paths after BJP elevated Modi as head of campaign committee. In 2003, Nitish Kumar had visited Kutch and predicted :

Modi will assume a significant role in national politics in Future.

See, how Nitish's prediction is proven true!

But I have different point to share with you readers. My point is that if you don't want to continue your relation, fine. Say good bye. But why fight? Why do you make your one time friend or lover or spouse your arch rival?

Hindu and Muslim communities are considered very sensitive and emotional. If they are friend they will not hesitate to sacrifice own life for other. But when they become enemy, they want to kill each other. Yesterday there was news that muslims of Kashmir helped Kashmiri pandits to perform puja. It means that these muslims are different from those muslims who don’t want pundits to stay in Kashmir.

There is one legend about Kashmir. There was a handsome Brahmin guy. Princess saw him and attracted towards him and decided firmly to marry him. Badshah agreed with princess but put one condition that guy had to convert and adopt Islam. Guy asked Brahmins and suggested that if they will accept him once he became ruler. Brahmins refused. Guy had to marry princess and converted to Islam. After he became ruler, he went to pundits and asked him to accept him in Hindu religion. But pundits refused proposal. It is said that after this that young man became arch enemy of hindu religion.

Courtesy : Visualphotos.com

I want to say that don’t make your friend your arch enemy. Third party is always ready to make you and your friend enemy. If you want to break relation, break in a way that you both can become friends again. We have fine examples of Aamir Khan and Reena. They divorced, but they have cordial relations. Either Aamir or Reena hasn’t spoken against each other. Ditto Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh.

There are so called lovers who become crazy and perverted after rejection of their one sided love. They either make fake facebook profile of their lover or throw acid on lover’s face. They even go to extent to kill their lover. How one can think to throw acid or kill or defame that person who he/she claim to love? Is this love?

If your love is true, real then think wellness of your lover. It is not necessary that person whom you love will also love you. There is also advice for young girl or young man. Please be careful that your gesture or your friendship should be limited and one should not take it as your love, especially when you have friendship with opposite sex person. But anyway, it doesn’t mean that one sided love can go to extent of perverseness.

When relationship breaks, lyrics of old ‘Gumrah’ film song comes in mind:

Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jaaye hum dono

Na main tumse koi ummeed rakhoon dilnavaazi ki (Don’t expect anything from your lover/friend/business partner/spouse with whom your relation is broken)

Na tum meri taraf dekho galat andaaz nazaron se

Na mere dil ki dhadkan ladkhadaaye meri baaton mein

Na zaahir ho tumhaari kashm-kash ka raaz nazaron se

Taarruf rog ho jaaye to usko bhoolnaa behtar

Taalluk bojh ban jaaye to usko todnaa achchha

Voh afsaana jise anjaam tak laana na ho mumkin

Use ek khoobsoorat mod dekar chhodna achchha

Chalo ek baar phir se...

When you feel that relationship can’t be continued more, end on a good point.

Coming back to political point, BJP and JD(U) should have broken relationship with good sense. But they didn’t and yesterday (18^th June, 2013) we saw them fighting each other on day of Bihar Bandh.

BJP must learn from Congress. There are so many parties formed from congress. NCP, Janta Dal, Janta Dal (U), Trinamool Congress…etc..Congress has good relation with NCP and they have been partners in power in center and Maharashtra.

But BJP has difference case. When someone revolts BJP workers cannot tolerate it. In Gujarat, they teared Atmaram Patel’s dhoti when Shankar Sinh revolted aginst BJP. Same case is with Keshubhai Patel, Suresh Mehta and Kashiram Rana. At national level there are examples of Balraj Madhok, Govindacharya.

One may argue that Congress compromises with its rival for power, I will say that BJP also wants power and this is power play only.

I will again advice that be it politics, friendship, love, marriage or business, try to make adjustments (and that should be from both side) but if you feel after longtime that relationship can’t be maintained, break with but with a good end. Please remember these words:

Voh afsaana jise anjaam tak laana na ho mumkin

Use ek khoobsoorat mod dekar chhodna achchha

Modi Vs. Advani : When creator has to fight against his creation

(Courtesy : India Today)

Here and there, everywhere hot discussion is going on Narendra Modi vs. L.K. Advani fight. It is also called fight between chela (student) and guru (teacher). This is not first instance.

We have heard Arjun fought with guru Drona. In broad sense you can call it fight or conflict between creator and his or her own creation. I had read about fight between Hanumanjee and Shiv. Now it is known fact that Hanumanjee is considered as ansh awatar of Shivajee.

It was Shivajee who gave boon to Ravan but Ravan became so big and nuisance that Shivajee had to born as Hanumanjee to kill his own shishya or devotee Ravan. Althoough he didn't kill directly Rawan but played greater role in killing Ravan.

One more example is of Bhasmasur. Lord Shiva gave boon of almost immorality and then when he became destroyer god had to come to kill Bhasmasura. In 'Robot' film (Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Bachchan), creator of robot had to fight against his own creation.

Here there is no meaning or indication to say that Modi has become nuisance so Advani had to come in field to fight again his own shishya or creation. But when guru(creator) and shishya (creation) have same interests then chances of conflict between them are brighter.

In bollywood there are also such cases. Prakash Mehra created Amitabh Bachchan but later on they had not good relation. Subhash Ghai gave a rare chance to Mahima Chaudhary through his film Pardes, but later on they fought each other in court.

If you take parents as creator and children as creation then you will find there is increase in fight between parents and their children. Be it actress Nutan vs her mother Shobhna Samarth or actress Ameesha Patel vs her parent fight.

In many cases, fight is due to generation gap. Parents/guru/crator want to do things in his or her way while children/shishya/cration have different thinking. So fight happens. I call time after 90s as indiscipline time. Before that in most cases, children/shishya used to follow parents/guru whether they were right or wrong. After 90s, there is indiscipline in each and every field. Be it politics, sports or cinema.

It should also be noted that not in every case parents/elders are right. Prahlad or Vibhishan or Pandavs were right against their parent/elders. In cases like these, either due to ego or lust for power, parents/elders try to keep power in their hands eventhough they take wrong decisions.

In case of Advani vs Modi, it is evident that Advanijee wants to keep power in his hands although he failed to lead successfully in two general elections. While Modi has proven himself by successive victories and increasing popularity. Lets see who is proven right in history?

Advanijee : Bhism had not made right decisions when he should have

I know it is very risky to praise the person who is defeated. People always worship rising sun. But I would take risk it and write about Advanijee.

L.K. Advani may perhaps find himself in situation like Bhisma was in Mahabharat as he has written on his blog. But there is no ‘Cheer Haran’ of Draupadi in case of BJP the party which strengthened by Advanijee.

I like this stalwart leader very much not only for his contribution in making BJP no. 2 party, but his statements and issues raised by him also. My father Shree Gajendrabhai used to say that Advani is the person who always speak after giving very much consideration. Some blame Advani for defeat in Karanatak, 2013 ( I know in English it is wronly spelled as Karnataka) as he forced Yediyurappa from CM post. But Advanijee is not the person who just preaches. He had sat example by himself when his name was involved in Hawala case and he resigned as MP. He or his family members remained clean from corruption.

And I think if BJP had forced CM Yediyurappa to resign very early then may be fate of BJP in Karnatak would be different. Issues such as black money and compulsory voting and regarding E.V.M.s are raised by Advani. Truely speaking, Advanijee is very academic person. In most cases he is right in raising issue, but he is weak in oratorial skills – the field in which Modijee is far more superior.

Advanijee may be thinking that he has not given his life to party for the day when Modi supporters demonstrated against him before his house but he should think about past also.

When Advanijee and Ataljee made compromises like dropping BJP’s ideological issues like Ram Janmabhoomi or Article 370 or Uniform Civil Code for getting power in 1998, many followers of Sangh and BJP felt same pain as Advanijee is feeling at this time. Nanajee Deshmukh was not happy with Advanijee. Balraj Madhok was also thrown out of BJP in Advanijee’s days.

When Advanijee was deputy prime minister and home minister in NDA government, if he and Ataljee had shown courage like they showed in 1996 (when Ataljee resigned and walked out of parliament) and could have declared Ram Mandir Temple construction or supported Mahant Ramchandra Paramhans and even then if government had fallen, Advanijee and Vajpayeejee could make BJP to get majority on its own. Kandahar episode and attack on parliament were also blot on Advanijee being number 2 in NDA government.

When Ataljee was leading BJP, he was considered secular face of BJP and Advanijee was considered hardcore Hindutva face, but after 2004, Ataljee fell ill. So Advanijee thought that he could take place of Ataljee and for that he tried to walk on secular path and praised Mohammad Ali Jina (I know spelling written popularly is Jinnah, but actual name is Jina.). This was very wrong. I was shocked when stalwart leader like Advanijee stated : now it is time for slogan- Roti, Kapda, Makaan aur Mobile. He could not understand common people’s troubles. He gave approval for ‘India Shining’ campaign run by late Pramod Mahajan. (BTW, Narendra Modi is also follwoing path of Pramod Mahajan and giving full rosy picture.) In 2004, election was fought in Advanijee’s leadership, but he failed to get victory.

In 2009, it was perfect time that Advanijee should have given leadership to Modijee, but he choose not to give away. Although corporate sector was largely with Modijee. Again, election was fought under leadership of Advanijee and Advani again lost.

Now if in 2013, after so many victories in Gujarat, and after Modi won hearts by way of addressing Sri Ram College or addressing business fraternity in Kolkata, if Modi had not given leadership of BJP at national level, it could be biggest blunder. Blunder is avoided, but Advani is not ready to bow down.

As I was writing this blog post, news came that Advanijee has resigned from all posts of BJP. I think Advani will again make BJP defeat in next election.

One proverb is coming in my mind for this situation : Ghar foote ghar jay!

Journey to Omkareshwar : Ujjain where you won’t find Dhaana dal! (Part 2)

Omkareshwar is also one of twelve jyotirlings, located at 150 kms from Ujjain. It is surrounded by Vindhyachal hills. Omkareshwar is located in ‘Aum’ shaped place. Roads are surrounded by beautiful green trees. Some roads very narrow and one side of them is deep valley. So, driver has to drive carefully. First you reach Mamleshwar Mahadev temple. After offering prayer there, by boat or by pool you can reach Omkareshwar. 

Omkareshwar temple in Aum shape (credit : Internet)

When we arrived at Mamleshwar it is ‘Madhyahan’ (Noon) ‘aartee’ time. Then through boat we crossed river. We had purchased Chana to feed fishes in river. To feed fish is also believed bringing good luck. Actually I believe that by telling of luck our founders of hindu dharma cared by ecology. Thus you pour water to tree, you feed cow, you even feed ants, you feed monkeys and feed fishes too. Thus balance in eco system is maintained. And as they say, if you do good, you get good. Ok. We reached Omkareshwar. There was long queue. But for us, waiting to open gates of temple and standing in queue for more than half an hour didn’t get bore as some local women were singing local bhajans in chorus melodiously. I found strange system there. Generally in Shiv or Mahadev temple, you pour water or milk direcetly on Shiv ling. But here you have to pour water or milk in to basin. From there water will run away through pipe and fall on Shivling. There we performed ‘pooja’ with help of Brahmin but that was in veranda. We climbed down and did some shopping. It is also undeclared and untold custom to shop for your kins and relatives. Shopping is mainly of religious things like pendants with some religious deity, religious books. Many religious places offer their state special handicrafts also.

I firmly believe that when Bharat was made of so many states ruled by Rajas, it was till one. Binding factor was this Hindu Dharma or culture. People used to visit other states with business purpose or religious purpose. When they visited with religious purpose, it also served as much wanted break from routine life specially for women which were housewives in those days.

Again in boat we crossed Narmada river. Reached Mamleshwar. Got in car. It was again raining. Car driver played 70’s - 80’s melodious songs like ‘Tuj Sang Preet Lagai Sajna’, ‘Mujhe teri muhabbat ka sahara mil gaya hota’, ‘milke na honge juda’ etc. Thus return journey was converted in to picnic. We had backed Makai na doda (Bhutta) also.

After coming back to Ujjain, we again went to Mahakaal as it is belief that when you enter in Ujjain and when you leave for your home, both time you should go to Mahakaal temple and offer prayer. This time it was night. We stand in queue of general visitors. I thought now in last, Mahakal should give us a chance of doing pooja with ease. (Otherwise it was so much rush of visitors that Pujaris don’t allow you to stand for 1 minute also to offer prayer). Mahakaaljee filled my wish. It was rush at this time also but one pujari who was sitting there called me and I was able to offer ‘Pooja’ with sitting there in ‘Garbh gruh’.

After coming back, all were hungry. We went to have dinner in Raj Kamal Bhojanalay located near Railway station. After reaching there we came to know the old age owner is originally Gujarati. He himself served hot rotis. Shaak and Kadhi (which is again wrongly spelled in English as Curry) were tasty. He was serving with emotion. He was insisting more and more for rotis. This is called in Gujarati as ‘Agrah Kari Ne Khavdavvun’. People from Saurashtra will eat less and also feel bad if you don’t insist for more food, especially sweet items.

Food was such tasty that we need Meetha Pan (leaf filled with Chuna, Kattha, Gulkand etc.) There I came to know that in Ujjain (or may be in Madhya Pradesh) Panwala don’t keep Dhana Daal. Like zerox, dhana daal in Gujarat is also known as Bhagat as person named Bhagat started selling pouch packed Dhana Daal.

We had Meetha Pan without Dhaana Daal and in night at 12.30 am we started our journey back to home.

Pilgrimage to Mahakaleshwar : Bribe in temple also! (Part 1)

Ujjain, ancient name Avantika is the place I liked for not only Mahakal ‘Niwas’ but for the fact that Raja Vikram ruled here. Yes, Raja Vikram who was very justiceful, who went in disguise to know his ‘janta’s dukh-dard.

Some people warned me not to go in month of holy Shrawan to avoid crowd. But we were firm to go there and have also got reservation by grace of Shiv. We started our pilgrimage on 8^th of August. We had booked hotel in advance, so it was not subject of worry also. As we arrived at Ujjain Railway station, Rikshawalas came to us to hire their auto. We hired one and rikshawala cum agent of hotel cautioned us that hotels may be full. We told him not to worry as we have booked our rooms in hotel Girnar which is in short walkable distance from railway station. It was just 4.25 in morning so we took rest and after short rest we went for ‘darshan’ and ‘worship’ of Shree Mahakal

Mahakaleshwar temple photo (credit : Internet)

Let me tell the readers who don’t know about Shree Mahakal. Mahakal is one of twelve (dwadash, as number twelve is called in Sanskrit) jyotirlings. It is believed very good fortune to go on pilgrimage on all twelve jyotirlings. My wife and myself have visited 6 jyotirlings so far. As Ujjain is known as Bharat’s Greenwich so kaal means time and temple was named Mahakal. Like other religious places, you will find Brahmins marketing themselves to give you relief and liberation from all your pain, diseases, unrest in your family etc. As there were lots of people standing in line to see holy Mahakal, we  preferred to get V.I.P. tickets which was cost of Rs. 151 per person.We were given entry to the route from where we reached near to ‘garbhgruh’ (the center place where ling is installed) of Mahakal. We poured some water and prayed to mahakal. Rikshawala whom we had hired told us that we were luck as till 8^th August ‘darshan from garbhgruh’ was closed and just opened on 9^th. There are lots of other temples in premises of Mahakaal, including Swapneshwar Mahadev (You can read text on board that you will get ridden from bad dreams by darshan of this Mahadev), Prachin Mahakaaleshwar, Bruhaspati temple, Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Das Hanuman etc.

After ‘darshan’ of Mahakal, we filled up forms to do ‘Bhasm Aartee’ which is done early in the morning at 4 am. For that one may have to stand in queue from 2 or 2.30. Why is the aartee called ‘Bhasm Aartee’? Because Bhasm (Ash) is brought from Smashan (cremation place) and poured on Shivling. One unknown person advised us to  fill other forms also as all persons who names are filled in form may not get chance to view this ‘Bhasma Aartee’. Also there is need to attach photocopy of id proof with form. The person who was distributing and collecting forms told to attach only one id proof of one person. He told id proofs of all the persons whose names are filled up, need not to attach. We filled up two different forms with names in different series attaching only two id proofs. As we had not done photo copy, I went to get it. I was surprised to see that name of shops were photocopy. Generally I have seen all the places I visited have name- Zerox of photocopy shops. Actually name is photocopy and Zerox is name of photocopier machine. Now to know whether we had got permission for ‘Bhasma Aartee’ or not, we had to come at 9 pm.

So, we decided to visit Mangalnath temple. It was Tuesday and people from all corner of country  come here to get free from ‘Mangal Dosh’. For those who don’t know what Mangal Dosh is, when Mangal is in first, fourth, seventh, eighth or twelth house, it is called Mangal Dosh. Accoring to Vedic astrology, those who have Mangal Dosh should match Kundli with aspiring to be bride/bridegroom. It is believed that such people often get delay in marriage, most of times, after age of 28 years. Their good fortune (Bhagyoday) arrives after age of 28 years. So, as I told, it was Tuesday which is considered the day of ‘Mangla’, people had come to get ‘Nivaran’ of Mangal dosh.

What shocked me was that even our temple are not free from corruption. People who came for ‘Mangal Dosh Nivaran’ were told to give 100 rupees which was donated by concerned Brahmin in Temple administration. In return Brahmins were given receipt with numbers. So, clients of Brahmin have to go turn by turn. I saw that the person who was authorized to give entry by calling number was given bribe by Brahmin to change number so that his client can get early access in temple’s garbhgruh to perform pray.  There were lots of monkeys there. It is believed that on Tuesday, if you feed monkey/monkeys ‘chana’ it is good for you. I did that.

After visiting Mangalnath temple, we told riskshawala Rajubhai to go to Gujarati Samaj. It is located on Tilak Road. It is on height and you have to climb up stairs, but older and disable persons can also use lift. We came to know that there is good residence facility in Gujarati Samaj with affordable price. But as we were already got rooms in hotel Girnar, we took our lunch there.

Generally, most of Gujaratis who go on holiday tour or pilgrimage prefer Gujarati (which is by default vegetarian) food. If there is doubt of not getting vegetarian or Gujarati food, they took dry snacks like ‘Chewado’, ‘Sakarpara’, ‘Gathia’, ‘Bhakharwadi’ etc. from home. They like hot food. And as rain was coming hot food was need of body also, especially Roti. We got good hot Gujarati food- Roti, Shaak (vegitable), Bhaat (rice) and Daal.

In the evening, we visited famous temples of Ujjain city. One such temple is Harsiddhi maa, also known as Harsiddh maa.. I believed that Raja Vikram used to worship Harsiddhi Maa. One temple of Harsiddhi maa is located near Porbandar in Gujarat. After that we visited Mahakali maa’s temple, which is also known as ‘Gadh Kali maa’. Then we went Kaal Bhairav. As per mythology and shastras, Bhairav is fierce (Rudra) form of Shiv. One such form is known as Kaal Bhairav. We saw lots of monkeys there also. It is believed good to dedicate wine to this deity. This is exception case in deity. As most of deity are dedicated ‘Prasad’ of Sakardaliyas, Revadis, Sings, Pendas etc. Those who drink wine can take Prasad of wine after it is dedicated to Kaal Bhairav. When you purchase ‘Prasad thaal’ including wine, there is great chance that monkey will rush to catch Prasad. So the hawkers sell ‘Makai na doda’ (Bhutta). I offered bhutta to monkey, but my father in law didn’t, so one monkey rushed to him but as my father in law was aware, monkey just got some flowers poured on itself. After Kaal Bhairavdada’s ‘darshan’ we visited Sandipani Ashram.

In the night, we preferred not to have dinner. We had snacks. At 9 pm, we visited Mahakal again to check whether we had got permission for ‘Bhasm Aartee’. My wife on whose name one form was filled had gotten permission. She could bring one more person with her. Reason may be she is woman. I had also gotten permission. But only I could witness ‘Bhasma Aartee’. We were surprised to see that one other Gujarati soni family’s all four or five members got permission. I was not able to understand how they choose names for ‘Bhasma Aartee’,

Ok. We went to hotel and took brief sleep. At 2 am we woke up. With raining, weather was cold, but bath was necessary. There is rule for Bhasma Aartee. If you are man, you have to wear dhoti. Upper half body should be uncovered. You can not bring any thing with you. And if you are woman, you must have to wear Sadi (saree as wrongly spelled in English by Bhartiyas also) blouse. As I told, it was cold, but rule is rule my friend, as Firoze Khan tells in his last film ‘Wel Come’.

It was a long queue. Many people had stood up early at 2 or 2.30. Turn by turn, we were forwarding ahead. I had brief quarrel with one lady who was pushing me aside. I could not understand why people push up to see the deity when their turn is bound to come. Some people also jump to get ahead in queue. This is cheating, cheating to yourself and Ishwar. Can it be fruitful to you? I think, no.

Poojari pouring Bhasma on Mahakal (credit : Internet)

After all the ‘darshanarthee’ did ‘pooja’, we were told to sit in ‘Nandy Hall’. Then ‘Bhasma Aartee’ started which we were able to see through television sets. It was really wonderful scene. Brahmins were giving bath to Mahakaal. Then they drew tripund, eyes, nose,mouth on black ling with Chandan (Sandal). They attached silver ears to him. They wore him ‘mugut’ (crown). They wore him ‘Mala’ (chain) of leaves. Chanting slok  (again wrongly spelled as Slokas in English) was started. Atmosphered was totally charged. All audiences were also chanting ‘dhuns’ and ‘jai jaikar’. Suddenly lights got off. In the light of lamp, Mahakal was looking very awesome. After ‘Bhasma Aartee’ which lasted for an hour, was complete, we came outside. Now we were in search of some carwala who could take us to ‘Omkareshwar’. The texiwalas near hotel girnar were telling us high price. So we walked little towards railway station. One carwala stopped near us and was ready to take us. We got in car and our journed to Omkareshwar started.

(continue in second part)