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Today is reserved for long talked about Padyatra -- a walk from
Yogeshwarji's
sister's residence in Maninagar to Saroda, birthplace of
Yogeshwarji.
There were close to 200 people in this pilgrimage-by-foot.
Everyone got ready at 5:30 am and walked to Maninagar. There Rajubhai Jani
introduced everyone
to Yogeshwarji's
sister's (Taraben's) daughter and her family. We
offered Pranam
in the same room where Yogeshwarji
stayed, did meditation
for years...
The room is kept in its original state. Badam milk
(Milk with Almond)
was served to everyone. The pad
yatra stared
from there
at approx 6:30 am while it was still dark outside. We stared with Maa
Prabhu's bavani's. Local Dhyan
Kendra
youth had joined to help out with the yatra. Divyesh, Ajaybhai, Tejas had
cars which stayed in front, back and in the middle of the queues of
devotees. Excellent safety and service was provided
by
many youths. Other youths chanted
various
holy names/dhoons throughout the yatra.
We got to see India on foot. This is a different sight altogether. We went
from
city street to village road; from paved roads to semi paved to unpaved
roads; from busy street to barren road of country side; from dense
population of city to villages with few huts; from fast city life to slow
paced country life; from noisy city to quiet peaceful village; from winding
roads to straight roads. It was an altogether a very unique experience.
For sure,
I would never
have
been able
to
venture on my own
like this yatra.
Imagine just one person doing - almost impossible. Everything is foreign
here if you are from foreign and alone. But with group it is so much fun.
We took a break at Ranchhod Rai's Mandir -- about halfway to Saroda. By
now we had travelled about 15 kilometers! The temple had good washroom
facilities
and
nice garden. The area was open and very peaceful. There the priest
explained to us the historic importance of this
mandir.
The mandir also houses a Shivling called Nakuleshwar Mahadev, which dates
back to the time of Mahabharat. For those of who are familiar with
Mahabharat, when Pandav went for hiding after 12 years of exile, they went
to Viraat Nagri. Basically, this is the same land. Viraat Nagari is
currently called Dholka, which is not too far from here.
Nasto was arranged for everyone here. After this short break,
we headed for our final destination. I was surprised to see that some
sadhaks were walking barefoot. Ouch! However, faith was such nothing could
deter them in carrying out their resolve. What I noted that much of Sardoa
area is full of Baavar trees (Tree full of thorns). That's all you see on
the sides of the countryside roads. Yet still they walked barefoot.
Their feat
was really
daring!
Another surprise to all of us was that it was first time we saw monkeys
living freely here. I thought monkeys were only found in zoos. But here
they were seen on side road streets; on trees. At one point, I saw two dogs
chasing monkey near a side road. However,
monkies
were
fast too and managed to escape the wrath of the two dogs. It was very
interesting site for everyone.
YDK youths made sure we were all right
on our path.
They knew the local sadhaks were used to discomforts, but many of us -- they
know us as NRI (Non resident Indians)
- were not used to heat and long walks. They carried Prasad in the car
trunks, bottled water (called Bisleri Water). They even had water in small
plastic pouches, much like the milk bag we get in America/Canada. It
requires a skill even to drink from these water pouches!
In total,
we travelled about 27 kilometres! We reached
Saroda at
4:00pm. At the outskirt of Saroda, there was one temple. Everyone waited
there for others who were still behind.
We continued sang dhoons/bhajans here as well. Kishorbhai made everyone
tuned in singing.
Local
residents were looking curiously at us. Some of the ladies with their
children sat with us and joined in our singing. Then one lady came with two
jugs of water on her head and offered us.
We
washed our hands and face with it. Some drank water too. We were very
pleased
to receive this kindness from this village lady. When some devotees tried
to give her some money, she flatly refused,
'You
have come to our village, we cannot take any money.'
She was happy just serving with water! Thank you Prahbu for this
unexpected welcome.
When last few sadhak reached Saroda, we all stared to go in the village. We
chanted
Prabhu's
name to Prabhu's house. It was windy road. Residents stared at us from
porch of their house. They wondered what parade is about. Sutariabhai
explained to some of
us
the purpose of our pilgrimage. When we reached Prabhu's house,
people were ready to welcome us.
The same family from whose house we started our walk were
there
with their family, i.e.
Yogeshwarji's
sister,
her
daughter and her family. We saw the small house
where Yogeshwarji lived.
Right now,
no
one lives
there.
It's very old and in need of repair. It's divided into two parts. Both
were used by
Yogeshwarji.
The second one contained Alter where
Yogeshwarji & Mataji
Jyotirmayi's
picture were placed. I found the place very peaceful.
Each sadhak went one by one in each of the room, offered Pranam. Some sat
for few minutes and meditated, while rest squat outside the house. Mandap
was setup for us for shade.
One of the elderly local man spoke. He
knew Yogeshwarji.
He welcomed us and hoped that in future permanent structure be created
there.
Everyone was served with orange juice.
Most if not all of had walked the longest for the first time in our lives.
Tejan, 5-6
years old was the youngest and Ambubhai,
70 probably the eldest member in the Yatra!
Thanks to Prabhu, I must say, that we had accomplished our walk safely.
Maa had told in Kapura, that She was not going to be in pilgrimage, still
lot of people joined in the yatra. This goes to show, that devotees have
firm faith in Maa Prabhu. Their physical presence is not always
required for
any activity of Maa Prabhu!
The buses then took us back to the Ranchhodrai Temple, there we were served
with feast. After the filling dinner, we left for
Satyapath. Satyapath
was the third place of pilgrimage. This
is
where,
Yogeshwarji
and Maa resided. The flat, currently houses
Yogeshwarji's memorabilia,
and articles.
it’s like a museum. Maa had done excellent job making this place very
attractive for visitors. After Satyapath Darshan, we left for Ambaji our
final destination for next few days.
We reached Swargarohan around 11:00 pm. Maa was not
in
Swargarohan yet.
We stayed in the main hall.
More later on.
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