Dr. Ritu Gupta
By: Dr. Ritu Gupta
© Dr. Ritu Gupta
Worth Noting:
- Finally, we reached and checked in to our hotel. It was raining, chilly cold outside, yet could see a long queue of pilgrims, standing undisturbed, holding on to their devotion and belief, eager to get the Darshan. We all just slipped in to our blankets, with no intention, to go to the Temple, which luckily was just beside the plinth of the Temple premises.
- Evening had already set in. The aarti started. I could hear the bells ringing, with the chants complementing the rhythm. None of us was willing to see the Aarti, due to tiredness and the cold weather outside, inspite of the fact, that we had only one night in our hand…just that night, as we were supposed to go back the next day for the other Dhaams, after the Darshan.
A True Story
2019 May. All set to cover the Chaar Dham Yatra. Reached Haridwar. Took a bathe in the Holy Ganga, at Har Ki Paudi, to get ready for the first padaav of Kedarnathji Darshan. Booked a cab and set out early in the morning, to reach Gaurikund. Weather was soothing and things were going smoothly so far.
We were alarmed of the drizzles and the chilling weather on our way to Kedarnathji, thus to be adequately equipped with the necessary things. Horses were hired and soon we were on the divine road to Kedarnathji. Surpassing hundreds of pilgrims like us, some on foot, some on horses while others on paalki, we were in a different mindset with breath-taking scenery all around and the air filled with the chant of “Har Har Mahadev” to add to the divine beauty.
I had vowed to take my first sip of water, only once I had done my darshan of Kedarnathji. It was a long way to the Temple, as the tragic floods of 2013 had destroyed the short route to Kedarnathji Dham, thereby extending the path. It was a sunny day, so all were taking breaks to eat and refresh themselves, but me, still sticking to my pledge.
It was 9kms yet to go on the mountain road and we had reached the Base Camp, from where the actual rough roads would start. It was 8 hrs since we were moving on the horses, on the undulating slippery roads (due to the melting snow) and I was tired, hungry and thirsty. I could not take the toll, and I collapsed. Given a sip or two of water and a bite of paratha, I somehow managed to start again to cover those 9kms, very disappointed with myself, for not being able to keep my promise.
Finally, we reached and checked in to our hotel. It was raining, chilly cold outside, yet could see a long queue of pilgrims, standing undisturbed, holding on to their devotion and belief, eager to get the Darshan. We all just slipped in to our blankets, with no intention, to go to the Temple, which luckily was just beside the plinth of the Temple premises.
Evening had already set in. The aarti started. I could hear the bells ringing, with the chants complementing the rhythm. None of us was willing to see the Aarti, due to tiredness and the cold weather outside, inspite of the fact, that we had only one night in our hand…just that night, as we were supposed to go back the next day for the other Dhaams, after the Darshan.
I tried not to be affected, but somehow the sound of the bells of the Aarti, were just so enchanting, as if pulling me towards it, that I couldn’t resist myself. I ran to the Temple only to see thousands of pilgrims flocking the gates, with no vision of the Shila nor the inside of the Temple. I ran from one gate to the other just to get a glimpse, if I could get somehow. I had come all the way without a drop of water, the pledge I could not keep though, just to get Kedarnathji’s Darshan, and here I was amidst the sea of people, far far away from the thought of even getting a glimpse of him from far.
None absolutely none would allow me to see him, even from far for a second. My heart sank and tears filled my eyes. I started pleading and complaining to Mahadev, that couldn’t He just let me see Him once? I admitted, that I could not keep my vow to visit him “Nirjala”, but then He also knew that I was helpless. I was standing in front of the VIP Gate and crying silently, tears rolling down my cheeks, watching the sea of people thronging the gates, ready to enter, once the gates opened for Darshan, with no hopes to see my Mahadev myself. I stood STILL. The temple gates were closed temporarily, after the Aarti, to make it ready for the pilgrims to come in. Thousands of emotions came rushing inside me and a dying hope that maybe, once the doors opened, I might be able to catch a glimpse of My Mahadev, from far. Entering the Temple was impossible, as no one would let me in from anywhere, as they had been standing for hours together (and I was not in the line).
Suddenly out of nowhere, the Police guarding the VIP Gate, asked me, “Do you wish to go inside for Darshan?”. I was too surprised but just said, “YES”. He quickly instructed me to enter from the VIP Gate. Till then, no one had entered the Temple, the gates was still not opened for the public. VIP gate, meant only for the VIPs, was less crowded too. Without any delay, I ran barefoot inside, with nothing to offer my Mahadev, save the tears of joy, rolling down my cheeks. The Temple was empty with all the gates closed, with only the Purohits, decorating the Kedarnathji Shila for Darshan. I was the only one there from outside. I walked round the aisle looking here and there in Ecstasy, not being able to identify the Shila, as it was the first time for me, and was not aware of the idol structure, the Aura of the Darshan. Tears, clouded my vision and I was not being able to get a clear look around. I was looking here and there, everywhere, when noticing my confusion, one of the purohits called out to me, saying, “Beta kaha dekh rahi ho, Baba waha hai. Udhar dekho”
To my joy, I saw the Kedarnathji Shila in his Divine Shringar, my eyes mesmerized with His Darshan. The whole World seemed to stop for me, at that moment. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
HE HAD HEARD ME! HE MADE ME COME TO HIM. ONLY ME…NO ONE THERE.
IT WAS ME AND HIM…AND THAT WAS THE BOND!
I came back as instructed, still in disbelief, that I HAD ACTUALLY MET MY MAHADEV!
Bhasma on my forehead, my soul was dancing with joy, as if I had attained a FRUITFUL LIFE!
I came back, narrated what happened, asked my daughter and brother to go and try to see him once. They went, but came back disappointed not being able to get, even a glimpse of Him, due to the massive crowd thronging the Temple gates.
But as for me,
I WAS AT PEACE. MY MAHADEV DID NOT DISAPPOINT ME!
THAT’S MY LOVE, MY MAHADEV!
HAR HAR MAHADEV 🕉
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