Friday, October 19th, 2018

Bathoor, Uttar Pradesh

Places

Four of us, Radha Krishna from Hungary, Achintya from India, Kala Kanta from South America and I were escorted to Bathoor and beyond.  We visited three auspicious places.  First of all, today is the first day of Dussehra.  People celebrate the time when Ravana, the epitome of evil, was vanquished by Rama.  This is, of course, a great triumph, and people were starting to get out and about, however, we were lucky.  Our first stop was at the birth place of Dhruva, the saintly boy who demonstrated so much courage at age five.  This place, next to the Ganges, is full of shanti, peace.

Our next point of interest was Brahmavarta, the place where progenitor, Brahma, performed his tapasya, austerity.  We found many pilgrims bathing there.  Our attention was brought to a small hole in the ground from where a spring of water spews out water, and is the site where Brahma sat.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BpIGySDl8IA/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1gl4jyz3cww43

Then, surprisingly nearby, is the location where Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana.  This was also a place less travelled.  On top of a hill is a shrine in the sage’s honour.

We indulged in these three treasures, but when we got back to the temple—which is not at all ancient compared to the places of tirthawe visited—it was celebrating its fourth anniversary.  Much went on, including an abhisheka—washing of the temple deities.  Kirtan came on strong.  I was asked to lead.  Shortly after Lokanatha Swami arrived, I gave the mic to him and stood up for dance. The new brahmacarisand I became like ‘wild childs’.  God, it was fun—spiritual, and fun.

May the Source be with you!

3 km